Polotsk: it's better to see it once

The event was attended by representatives of the National Tourism Agency, employees of travel agencies, tour guides and guide-interpreters, and teachers of tourism disciplines. The event was also attended by Deputy Commissioner for Religious and National Affairs, head of the working group on the development of religious tourism of the Interdepartmental Expert Coordination Council for Tourism under the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus Sergei Gerasimenya.

The workshop participants visited the memorial complex "Urochische Peski" - a mass grave from the Great Patriotic War in Polotsk. The memorial complex was erected for the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory.

The German troops that entered the city, established a brutal occupation regime and in August 1941 created two camps for Soviet prisoners of war on the territory of Polotsk: DULAG-155 and DULAG-125.

The former military town, designed for no more than 4.5 thousand people, housed between 15 and 20 thousand prisoners of war. From 80 to 200 people died daily from inhuman conditions, abuse, and hunger. All of them found their final resting place in the "Urochische Peski". Underground members and partisans were also shot there.

In total, according to data from various sources, during the occupation of Polotsk, between 40 and 100 thousand Soviet prisoners of war and civilians were killed and buried in the “Urochische Peski”.

A granite memorial wall with the names of the deceased, who were identified, was installed on the territory of the complex.

Another point of visit for the workshop participants was the Transfiguration Church, which is inextricably linked with the name of Saint Euphrosyne, an outstanding figure of her time and the spiritual patroness of Polotsk land.

The exact date of the temple's construction is unknown. Presumably, with the blessing of Euphrosyne, it was erected in 1120-1150 by the talented architect John. An angel came to him in a dream and commanded to build the temple. And Euphrosyne, according to her "Life", was brought here by the Holy Spirit.

During archaeological research, a small underground temple was discovered, as well as the remains of 12th-century stone galleries with fragments of fresco painting. Graffiti in Polish, Old Russian and Latin were found on the walls of the church.

The church's external appearance has come down to us distorted by later reconstructions, but inside the temple many elements from the original 12th century interior have been preserved, including valuable fresco paintings.

The participants of the seminar were impressed by the exhibition of monumental painting "Wall Painting of the 12th-19th Centuries of the Transfiguration Church in Polotsk". The exhibition is presented in the Art Gallery of the National Polotsk Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve. The museumification of peeling oil paintings of the 19th century fully presents the historical and cultural value of a unique architectural monument. The art gallery is located in one of the buildings of the former Jesuit College. The exhibition widely presents icon painting of the 18th-19th centuries, fine art of Belarus of the 20th - early 21st centuries. Along with icons and a collection of religious copper casting of the 19th century, one can see examples of religious painting and secular portraits of the 18th-19th centuries.

Another significant item of the workshop program is the Museum of the History of Architecture of the St. Sophia Cathedral. The exhibition began working in 1987. This was preceded by the restoration of the monument, architectural and archaeological research, which began in 1969.

Here you can see fragments of the 11th century masonry, an almost completely preserved ancient foundation, fragments of fresco painting from the end of the 11th century. The exhibits tell about the history of the architecture of the oldest stone building in Belarus, about numerous reconstructions and the latest restoration of the monument.

Participants of the field event visited the Spiritual and Educational Center of Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk in Secondary School No. 18 named after Euphrosyne of Polotsk in Polotsk, where a presentation of the joint project “Prayer for Peace” was held, implemented jointly with the Peace Foundation.

Another interesting item of the workshop program is Polotsk Cadet School. The museum room contains a gallery of famous graduates of the cadet corps, an exhibition dedicated to the history of the revival of cadets in Polotsk land.

The Slavyansky hotel complex also attracts with its history. The first building was the Dvina Hotel, built on Francis Skorina Avenue in 1954. The second wing was built in 1976. Now the guests are offered a 4-story building with 50 rooms with all amenities.

The results of the workshop were summed up within the framework of the round table “Development of religious tourism in Polotsk”.