//
Town in Vitebsk Region, Belarus
Photo: Alex Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Polotsk (or Polatsk) is a city in Belarus, in Vitebsk Oblast. First mentioned in 862, it is the oldest city in Belarus. Now it is a city of local importance with 83,000 inhabitants (2009) and with considerable architectural heritage from the times of old Rus and later periods.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
This medieval building was completely redecorated during the Baroque period.
A well-preserved building from the times of old Rus', with some later alterations.
The collection includes some rare 16th-century editions. The building. It was erected in the 18th century as a monastery school. Francysk Skaryna, the first Belarusian printer, was born in Polotsk around 1490, and it is in memory of him that this museum was created.
Monument dedicated to unique Belarussian letter Ў, not used in any other Slavic language.
By train
Polotsk is one of the most important railway hubs, with direct services from both Minsk and Vitebsk. The railway station is a bit to the north of the centre of town.
By bus
Although this is a tad more expensive, it's usually quicker too. No need to book in advance; just roll up and go.
By road
From Minsk: M3 towards Vitebsk until just after Lepel, and then the R46 (Р46 in Cyrillic) to Polotsk.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Minsk · International · MSQ
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Polotsk and Belarus.
Nature & adventureThere are four national parks in Belarus. The Belavezhskaya Pushcha National Park is a trans-boundary park between Belarus and Poland.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyWorld War I, usually called the First World War in the Commonwealth and called The Great War in its time, was one of the largest armed conflicts in history.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsThe Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) (Russian: Союз Советских Социалистических Республик (СССР)), or Soviet Union, emerged as the successor state to the Russian Empire in 1917, and was dissolved in 1991.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyWorld War II or the Second World War took place over many continents: while the Pacific War took place in Asia and Oceania, the European theatre saw combat from September 1939 to May 1945.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.