Historical and archaeological complex “Ancient Turov”

Turov is one of the oldest cities in Belarus and the capital of the former Principality of Turov in the 10th–13th centuries. The city was first mentioned in 980 in the Tale of Bygone Years: “ This Rogvolod crossed over the sea and held his power in Polotsk. And Tur held power in Turov, and from him the Turovites got their nickname .” The city was founded at the confluence of the Yazda and Strumen rivers, tributaries of the Pripyat, which in turn flows into the Dnieper, leading to the Black Sea. This geographical location contributed to the development of the city, since one of the options for the trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” passed through it. Turov consisted of a fortified town and a roundabout town.

In the 11th century the city became one of the centers of Christianity. At the same time, the “ Turov Gospel ” was created here - the oldest book created on the territory of modern Belarus. During the heyday of the Principality of Turov, presumably in the 50s-70s of the 12th century, the cathedral was built. Judging by the area, it is one of the largest on the territory of the Turov, Polotsk and Smolensk principalities. Unfortunately, there is no description of the monumental structure in any historical sources. Which makes it impossible to reconstruct it even on paper. But the date of the “fall” of the temple in one of the chronicles is indicated precisely. Despite its greatness, the temple did not last long and was destroyed on May 3, 1230 according to the new calendar. Its remains were found during excavations in the early 1960s. At first, versions were considered about the involvement of Mongol-Tatar conquerors or a fire. But the earthquake “won” in every sense. On Turov land they were described already in the 12th-13th centuries - mostly as insignificant. However, based on the nature of the destruction, seismologists gave the one that “demolished” the temple no less than 8 points. The revealed unreliability of the foundation could also have played a fatal role.

The Ancient Turov complex is a large area with the remains of the foundation of an ancient temple, covered with a glass dome. The temple, discovered during excavations at the site, is the largest monumental structure on the territory of the western lands of Ancient Rus'. It is 29.3 m long and 17.9 m wide. Burials in stone sarcophagi were discovered inside and outside the temple during excavations in the 20th century. As part of the exhibition, viewers are presented with various historical and archaeological objects:

· model of ancient Turov;

· household items - pottery, millstones and other handicrafts;

· ancient weapons;

· decoration elements;

· tools;

· remains of the found settlement.