Special issue
in the land of blue laKeS
and feStivalS
In the north of Belarus, there is Vitebsk region, which cannot keep out of the interest of tourists either. And there are many reasons for this. Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. Impressive, isn't it! – And in addition to this, 44 republican highways run on the territory of the region with a dense network of roadside service facilities, offering travelers a wide range of services: refuel, rest, food and bed, purchase of various goods, – adds Svetlana Astanina, head of the tourism sector of Vitebsk Region Executive Committee. – Besides, Vitebsk International Airport provides airlines with a full range of airport services. Yes, the center of the region is the ancient Vitebsk. And the birth of the Belarusian statehood, culture and spirituality is generally associated with the even more ancient city of Polotsk, the belta
Of course, a modern tourist is not least interested in logistics. For example, how – by what means of transport – one can get to the region? So, given its geographical position, Vitebsk region has convenient road and rail links with many countries. On its territory there are transport arteries connecting the largest economic regions of Russia with Europe. There are two European transport corridors passing through the region: Crete No. 2 (Berlin – Warsaw – Minsk – Moscow), connecting Germany, Poland, Belarus and Russia, and Crete No. 9 (Helsinki – St. Petersburg – Kiev – Chisinau – Bucharest), which connects Finland, Lithuania, Russia, Belarus,
monument to marc chagall in Vitebsk
first mention of which in the annals dates back to 862 AC. Ancient cities of Orsha, Braslav, Postavy, Glubokoe, of course, are also interesting for tourists. – Vitebsk region has a significant potential for tourism development – Svetlana Astanina is sure. – First of all, educational, environmental, health, rural, pilgrimage, transit. The cultural and historical heritage accumulated over the centuries is of international interest, and the ecological systems and natural landscapes located in the region are unique. The statistics say that in Vitebsk region today there are more than three thousand monuments of archeology, architecture, history, art and culture, about a thousand are included in the list of historical and cultural values of the Republic of Belarus. These are ancient settlements and burial mounds, old estates, majestic temples, architectural buildings of ancient cities. The region is proud of the names of famous compatriots who left their mark in world culture. Such as educator Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk, the first printer Francysk Skaryna, enlightener and medieval poet Simeon Polotsky, painter Ivan Khrutsky, Belarusian writers Vasil Bykov and Vladimir Korotkevich, famous explorer of Eastern Siberia Ivan Chersky and many others. And of course, Marc Chagall, a world-renowned artist. He carried his love for his native places throughout his life. And wherever he was, in St. Petersburg, New York or Paris, his heart was filled with the colors of Vitebsk, which the master put
Беларусь. BelaruS 2021
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