Top 7 unusual ancient settlements of Belarus

Let's lift the veil of secrecy and find out all about the TOP-7 unusual ancient settlements of Belarus, with ancient history and impressive archaeological finds.

David-Gorodok

In  Brest region, David-Gorodok is unique in its essence, named after its founder, Prince Davyd Igorevich. The castle here arose in the late 11th – early 12th centuries. At first, the surrounding settlements were ruled from Kiev. Later, the city was transferred to Volyn Principality, and after some time it became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. By the way, at one time the city belonged to the Radziwills: they ruled here for more than two hundred years. It received its modern name in the 17th century. During the Russian-Polish war, David-Gorodok burned down.

Archaeological excavations were carried out at the ancient settlement. As a result of the expedition, unique objects and items were discovered: the remains of a wooden church, buildings and pavements. Rich burials were found, as well as many other artifacts: wooden, glass, iron products, as well as fragments of clay pottery.

Lukoml

It is known as an ancient Russian city and as one of the most important settlements of the Krivichi-Polotsk people. It was first mentioned in chronicles in 1078, when it was burned by Vladimir Monomakh, but it arose in the 9th century as a small fortress of the Krivichi. After the division of the possessions of the Polotsk principality, a separate Lukoml principality was formed. The fortified Lukoml castle of the mid-11th century was destroyed by the troops of Ivan the Terrible in 1563.

The archaeologists' finds included various iron tools and weapons, fishing gear, pottery, millstones, and glass jewelry. The most interesting find was an openwork gold bead, which is exhibited in the National Museum in Minsk. An unusually designed chess piece in the form of a seated man with his hands clasped on his chest was also found here.

Rogachev

The fortified center of ancient Rogachev was located on Zamkovaya Hill. Archaeologists claim that the fortified ancient settlement was there as early as the 1st millennium. Then people left this area - only 10 centuries later life began to boil here again.

Under the rule of Queen Bona Sforza, who received Rogachev city as a gift in 1522-1523, a wooden castle and a palace were built. It was burned and devastated more than once, and the inhabitants were taken prisoner. The remains of the palace finally disappeared during the Great Patriotic War. During excavations, a lead hanging seal with images of Saints Michael and Constantine and household items were found.

On Zamkova Hill, for the 850th anniversary of the city, a stone memorial was erected with the inscription: “From here Rogachev city began in 1142...”

Slonim

The first mentions of one of the most ancient cities of Grodno region date back to 1252 in the Ipatiy Chronicle. Uslonim, Vslonim – that was the name of modern Slonim. According to archaeologists, the fortified settlement could have appeared in 1036.

Back in the Middle Ages, to protect the city from enemy attacks, two fortified settlements were built on both sides of the Shchara River. Zamostye - the Lower Castle was originally the center of the city, until it was razed to the ground by the Crimean Tatars in 1506.

Thus, the need for a new center arose. It became the Upper Castle – Citadel. In the 17th century, Chancellor Lev Sapega lived in the castle, and a little later, the Lithuanian hetman Michal Kazimir Oginski settled here. He erected an entire palace complex with various buildings, a picturesque pond and a huge garden. Unfortunately, the former grandeur has not survived to this day. Only the inn, or austeria, built in the second half of the 17th century remains.

Gorodishche

Two fortified adjacent settlements in Gorodishche village in Minsk region are the castle ramparts of 1067. Here, according to historians and archaeologists, Minsk city was born. Later, the settlement was moved to the bank of the Nemiga.

During excavations, which are still ongoing at the ancient settlement, remains of wooden buildings with stone stoves, iron knives, a sickle, slate spindle whorls, lemon beads, and a silver earring of Volyn type were found. Many items from the 17th century were also collected. Perhaps the most unusual find is a silver dirham from the mid-8th century of the Abbasid dynasty. It was used as a pendant.

Nearby is the estate-museum "Stary Mensk". Here you will see the oldest chess piece in Eastern Europe - a knight from the beginning of the 11th century and get acquainted with the only model of the Mensk castle of the 11th century in Belarus.

Zaslavl

The Zamechek ancient settlement was built in the 10th century by Kiev prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich. The citadel of the ancient settlement was surrounded by a ring rampart, and a fortress wall with loopholes and a ditch with a palisade were erected. The Zamechek fortified structure lasted only one century. During excavations, a unique item was discovered - a well-preserved above-ground furnace for obtaining iron - a bloomery.

Currently, there is a memorial sign in the form of a cross on a round pedestal at Zamechek.

The Rampart ancient settlement appeared in the 11th – 12th centuries. The foundation of the future Zaslavl castle was sand ramparts, which were reinforced with a structure made of clay, stone and wood. Due to a fire in 1127, new defensive walls were erected, and at the end of the 16th century, magnate Jan Glebovich built a bastion castle, which became the first fortification with towers and two-story stone gates. Zaslavl castle was surrounded by a moat with water, as well as the adjacent lowland.

Of all the stone buildings erected by Jan Glebovich, only the Protestant church, consecrated in 1839 as the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, has survived. It was not reconstructed and retained elements of Renaissance decor.

Mstislavl

Mstislavl is famous for two mountains – Maiden and Castle. On Maiden Mountain, there was an ancient settlement of the Balts at the beginning of the millennium. At present, only an earthen embankment remains from the former settlement.

In the 12th century, a fortified fortress surrounded by a protective rampart was located in the citadel of the Castle Hill of ancient Mstislav. During excavations of the citadel, jewelry, weapons, glass and metal objects were found, as well as a birch bark letter from the 12th century and a glass goblet with Arabic engraving.

Today, the Castle Mountain is a historical museum, and a large-scale knights’ festival is held on its territory every year.