THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF BELARUS The Center for Belarusian Culture, Language and Literature Research K. Krapiva Institute of Study of Arts, Ethnography and Folklore TOURIST OF BELARUS UDC 379.83/.84(476) A u t h o r s: A. I. Lokotko, O. N. Knyazeva, E. V. Morozov, O. V. Izotova S c i e n c e e d i t o r: Associate of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Doctor of Architecture, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor A. I. Lokotko E d i t o r i a l B o a r d: A. I. Lokotko, Ch. K. Shulga, L. E. Maksimova, E. V. Solovyova, O. N. Knyazeva, E. V. Morozov R e v i e w e r s: Doctor of Architecture G. A. Potaev, Doctor of Art Criticism V. I. Zhuk I n t h e b o o k t h e r e w e r e u s e d p h o t o g r a p h s t a k e n b y: A. I. Lokotko, A. A. Lokotko, O. N. Knyazeva, V. F. Morozov, E. V. Morozov, O. V. Izotova, N. S. Bunkevich, R. I. Vnukovich, G. A. Gurlo, L. N. Denisova, O. N. Kasatkina, G. I. Kasperovich, G. K. Kiselev, A. Kuznechik, B. A. Lazuko, K. A. Lavysh, G. L. Levina, G. I. Likhtarovich, E. R. Malikov, N. P. Melnikov, A. A. Metelsky, S. A. Milyuchenkov, A. A. Morunov, I. T. Mokhnach, A. O. Naumov, A. V. Novik, E. V. Pesetsky, E. O. Podlutsky, N. I. Polina, A. V. Skidan, I. A. Starostina, V. I. Starostin, A. V. Strekh, N. A. Sukhaya, A. S. Shamruk; the Belarusian Telegraph Agency, regional and district culture institutions of the Republic of Belarus 52 local districts of comprehensive historical and cultural heritage are considered. They were pointed out for the first time in scientific practice on the basis of analysis of peculiarities of natural and landscape environment, system of settlements, communications, development of settlements, traditional material and spiritual culture of all regions of the republic. The maps of local historical and cultural territories are provided. The prospective tourist routes (land, water, etc.) are proposed in the described local districts of comprehensive historical and cultural heritage on the basis of the existing natural components, preserved monuments and relics of architecture, history, national art of building, ethnography, and museums in operation. Offers and recommendations how to preserve and use the objects of historical and cultural heritage of small towns and historical rural settlements of Belarus are provided. Names of places on skeleton maps have been made in accordance with International cartographic rules and they could be different from corresponding ones in the text. ISBN 978-985-08-1571-2 © Translation into English, design. RUE «Publishing House «Belaruskaya navuka», 2013 Tourist Mosaic of Belarus BREST REGION 14 VITEBSK REGION 68 GOMEL REGION 208 5 GRODNO REGION 284 MINSK REGION 420 MOGILEV REGION 556 Introduction In many countries tourism has been taking a signifi­ cant place among the most prioritized types of econom­ ic activities for a long time. For some countries it is a traditional source of income. In modern culture tou­ rism has been performing cultural and cognitive func­ tion as well, it has become an important element of dia­ logue between various social and ethnic groups. Tou­ rism provides an opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural achievements of countries and nations, traditions of public and family life, holidays, national cuisine. The geographical position of Belarus, which due to some historical reasons lies on the crossroads of trans­ Castle Complex in Mir, Grodno region 6 Introduction Tourist Mosaic of Belarus European corridors: East­West and Scandinavia – the Bal­ serves with seven of them having the international status, kans, – provides preconditions for development of big over 10,000 lakes and nearly 20,000 rivers. The unique tourist business here of the national and international le­ site for water tourism was reconstructed, that is the Au­ vels. The tourist resources of the country include not only gustow Canal. The World Heritage List by UNESCO includes rich unique natural potential, but also social and cultural 4 objects located in the territory of Belarus: the castle objects, numerous real estate material historical and cul­ complex «Mir» in the urban­type village Mir (Grodno re­ tural value, which have been preserved till the present gion), architectural and cultural complex of the Radzivills’ days, including famous monuments of history and archi­ in the town of Nesvizh (Minsk region), the National park tecture. There is a significant number of historical towns «Belovezhskaya Pushcha», and triangular points of Duga and cities located in the territory of Belarus – Polotsk, No­ Struve. Available convenient transportation communica­ vogrudok, Turov, Grodno, Nesvizh, etc. There are four na­ tions inside the country and the ones with cross­border tional parks in the republic («Belovezhskaya Pushcha», countries also contribute to development of the Republic «Narochansky», «Pripyatsky» and «Braslav Lakes»), 97 re­ of Belarus as a tourist state. Ruins of the castle in Novogrudok, Grodno region 7 Monument to M. Z. Chagall in Vitebsk. Sculptor – A. Gvozdikov, 1992 Monument to F. M. Dostoevsky in Dostoevo, Ivanov district, Brest region Introduction Introduction The conditions for development of the united coordi­ Belarus» No. 372 of June 2, 2006, the Statement on Li­ nated policy of the governmental bodies and commercial cen sing Tourist Activities approved of by Resolution of structures involved in advertising and information sup­ the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 1377 port activities to promote the national tourist product dated October 20, 2003 as well as by normative legal are created in Belarus. The opportunities of the Belaru­ acts on organization of amateur forms of sports and tou­ sian diplomatic and consular missions, trade representa­ rist, recreational and tourist activities. The measures tive offices are used as to disseminate information about were taken as to form the structure of management tourist objects and routes of the Republic of Belarus. of tourism: the Department of Tourism in the Ministry Tourist activities in the territory of our country have of Sports and Tourism was established, interdepartmen­ been performed by 1,094 economic entities since Sep­ tal coordination tourism councils were established in re­ tember 1, 2010. The state regulation in the field of tou­ gional executive committees and Minsk city executive com­ rism is guided by the provisions of Law of the Republic mittee, branches of the Republican Unitary Enterprise of Belarus No. 326­3 «On Tourism» dated November 25, «The National Agency for Tourism» were opened, etc. 1999 (as amendment and modification of law of the Re­ In 2005 there were 27 tourist areas formed in the coun­ public of Belarus No. 257­3 dated December 15, 2003, try. Later as to make development of tourism more active and No. 206­3 dated January 9, 2007), the edicts of the action plans of infrastructure development were ap­ the President of the Republic of Belarus: «On Some Mea­ proved of in all regions, i.e. in all 118 administrative dis­ sures of State Support of Tourism Development in the Re­ tricts of the country. public of Belarus» No. 371 of June 2, 2006, and «On Mea­ The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus sures to Develop Agroecotourism in the Republic of on December 21, 2007 approved of the National Pro­ 8 Introduction Introduction Tourist Mosaic of Belarus Special attention to the issues related to development of tourist in- dustry, has been permanently paid to by the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko during his working visits and in his statements. So, in April 2005 in his Address to the People of the Republic of Belarus and to the National Assembly, the Head of the state pointed out that development of tourist industry was one of the large-scale goals of the state. «Modern and attractive infrastructure of tourism should be created in the country… Tourism is not only the image of the country. Creating objects of tourist infrastructure gives the second life to popu- lated areas and settlements located nearby. It includes new jobs, im- provement of the territories, increase of living standards for local popu- lation», – said Alexander Lukashenko. gram of Tourism Development in the Republic of Bela­ relevant. The problem deals not only with extension of ho­ rus for the period of 2008–2010, aimed at formation tel capacity, construction of modern tourist objects, but and deve lopment of «highly efficient and competitive also with improvement of quality of services provided tourist complex providing vast opportunities as to meet to tourists. The level of service in the catering and accom­ the demands of the citizens in various tourist services modation objects does not meet the international stan­ as well as a significant contribution to development of dards and essentially falls behind the world tourist cen­ the eco nomy of the country (revenues for the national ters, though the tariffs for services are quite compatible budget, inflow of currency funds, creation of jobs, pre­ to prices for hotels abroad. servation and rational use of objects of historical and Creation of a competitive tourist complex, provision 9 cultural he ritage and natural potential)». The adopted of quality of services meeting the world standards are document is aimed at formation of an image about the items of the special sub­program of the National Pro­ the Republic of Belarus as a country, which is attractive gram of Tourism Development for the period of 2008– for tourists. According to the stated goals and tasks 2010,