Date :
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
The enormous boulders found in Belarus hold secrets from various periods of a bygone era. Where are they originally from? When did they break off from their parent source? How did they appear in our relatively flat terrain? Why did our ancestors consider them magical, animating them and calling them worship stones? Let's note that these stone giants are distributed unevenly across the territory of Belarus. They are predominantly located in the central and northern part of the country, as it was here that glaciers moved repeatedly in the prehistoric era, leaving traces in the form of granite blocks.
Embarking on a journey through the vast expanses of Belarus, one can delve into the country's history, listen to local tales, and explore ancient legends and folklore. We propose a TOP of the most famous boulders, the locations of which can be used to form an interesting tour route.
The Great (Big, Devil's) Stone
Located in the Vitebsk region near the village of Gorki. It is about 11 meters long and over 5 meters wide. It is protected in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the Protection of Historical and Cultural Heritage" as a natural monument. However, even without this status, it would be challenging for anyone to claim it - the boulder weighs about 300 tons! We inherited it from the Pooser Ice Age, presumably brought from the territory of modern Finland.
Local residents say that once devils lived near the village. They amused themselves by deceiving and luring the drunk men to the stone. The men mistook the boulder for a stove and lay down to sleep on the stone "couch". In the morning, they could not recover from their astonishment for a long time.
Borisov Stone (Boris the Breadmaker)
It was found near the village of Padkastseltsy, then transported to Polotsk. It is now installed at the Sophia Cathedral. The boulder, made of field spar of red color, weighs about 70 tons and has a circumference of 8 meters.
This stone is notable for its mysterious petroglyphs. A six-pointed cross, common in Russian heraldry, and the inscription "HS. Nika. Help your servant Boris," are etched on it.
There are several versions of how this inscription appeared. According to one of them, Boris ordered the petroglyphs to be carved to transform the stones used for pagan rituals into God's Christian stones. According to another, the prince was asking for the Lord's mercy during a drought and unfruitful year. According to the third, he simply wanted glory and decided to immortalize his name.
Regardless of the reality, a prevailing belief suggests that Boris the Breadmaker grants extraordinary health and fulfills cherished wishes. Many travelers say this is true.
Love Stone
It is located in the Minsk region, not far from Zaslavl. Most of the boulder is hidden underground, so the exact weight and dimensions are not established. The visible part is about 4.5 meters in length and 3.5 in width.
Its origin is not known for sure. Most likely, it broke off from the Fennoscandian Shield and was brought by a glacier. But its purpose, it seems, was somehow connected with pagan rituals. Old-timers assert that touching it and making a sincere wish will help you find your soulmate.
Vorotishin Cross (Vileyka Stone)
Another Borisov stone. It is located in the Vileyka region near the village of Kameno, not far from the Viliya River. An Orthodox cross and the inscription "ICXC NIKA" are carved on the three-meter boulder.
According to popular legend, the stone appeared in the middle of the field for a reason. One of the peasants living in the village started to plow the field on Bright Easter, which greatly angered God. As punishment, the Lord turned him into a boulder, so that others would not dare to sin.
There is another tale. It is said that a golden horse used to appear and vanish without a trace here. Rumors started in the village that it was supposedly a ghost showing that untold golden treasures were hidden under the stone. Two brothers decided to check and started digging the ground to find the riches and take them for themselves. However, they did not find gold, and the stone partially sank into the ground.
Veles Stone (Velednikovsky Boulder, Devil's Stone)
Near the village of Kryzhovka in the Minsk region, there is a "blue stone" with a man-made bowl carved into it, resembling an eye. Only a small part of it, about three by one and a half meters, rises above the ground.
According to the available information, the stone was a pagan shrine where people worshiped the "cattle" god Veles (or Volos, according to another version), who "presided" over animal husbandry, fertility, wisdom, and wealth.
The stone is still "active". During Maslenitsa, adherents of pagan traditions come to it to celebrate "Valosse". As offerings, guests bring pancakes, honey, kvass. In return, they ask for happiness, wealth, and family well-being.
These are just a few of the most famous boulders in Belarus, with a total of over 50 scattered across the country. Create a tour route and get to know the curious gifts of the distant Ice Age more closely.
