Braslav. The Castle Hill settlement.

The Braslav settlement is considered one of the largest settlements on the territory of Belarus. The height of the Castle Hill settlement is 14 meters, the area is about two hectares. The remains of the rampart that surrounded the settlement have been preserved.

Archaeologists have repeatedly conducted research here. The largest were in the 1950s and 1980s. Early pottery, stucco ceramics of the Krivichi and other objects were found here, which were evidence that representatives of the Baltic tribe and the Krivichi originally lived on the territory of the Braslov settlement.

It is known that a wooden castle was founded here in the Middle Ages. The first fortifications with walls and ramparts for defense were built in the 8th – 9th centuries. Already in the 11th century, during the reign of Prince Bryachislav Izyaslavovich, a powerful fortress was built guarding the borders of the Principality of Polotsk. At the beginning of the 14th century, Braslav became the center of the Vilna voivodeship. Courts, archives and the administration of the municipality were located on the Castle Hill, and sejms for the nobility were held here.

In 1500, Prince Alexander Jagielonchik of Lithuania and his wife Elena visited the city of Braslav. When the city became her domain, she ordered the organization of an Orthodox monastery and the church of St. Barbara on the Castle Hill in Braslav. It is also known that at the beginning of the 16th century the castle served as a defensive structure: the main fortress had 7 towers, the castle was surrounded by strong walls.

 Over time, the intensive development of life in the settlement ended, the city began to develop beyond the Castle Hill.

Today, the Castle Hill in Braslav is an important historical, cultural and archaeological monument.

A granite boulder with a commemorative bronze plaque has been installed on Castle Hill in honor of the founding of the city of Braslav.

There is a white obelisk here -a monument to the famous and revered doctor in Braslav - Stanislav Narbut (1853-1926), who worked here as a doctor for more than 40 years and was highly respected.

Also on the Castle Hill we find a sculptural composition, probably of pagan idols carved from wood, as a reminder that earlier a pagan temple was located on this hill. The sculptures symbolize the heroes of the legend about the origin of the name Braslav and the lakes.

It is advisable for tourists to start exploring the beautiful city of Braslav from castle hill!