Slavgorod. Castle Hill and its surroundings.

The most famous and beautiful place in Slavgorod is the Castle Hill. It was here that the ancient city was founded. In the 12th century, a castle with fortified walls, towers, gates and bridges was built on the mountain, which is why the mountain later got its name. In the 18th century, these lands were donated by Catherine II to Prince Golitsyn. Under his management, the castle lost its defensive functions and began to be actively rebuilt. After the revolution, the castle fell into disrepair and its last traces disappeared in 1938. Now there is a modern park area here.

Before entering the park, unusual chess pieces, made to the height of a man, attract attention. A nice bridge invites you into the park, and two paths diverge from it. If you turn right, you will almost immediately see a huge stone, and next to it a figure of a cheerful man. The stone very briefly and clearly gives basic information about Slavgorod and how the name of the city has changed over the years. The territory of the park is very neat and shady. Behind the stone there is a metal carriage with seats and a place for a cab driver, where you can rest and take a photo. In the same part of the park there is a chair with the crown of the empress, as a reminder that she once visited these places. Particular attention is drawn to a tall, lonely linden tree, noticeably damaged by fire and human barbarity, but still alive. There is a bench nearby - a place for kissing. Very unusual! But the most impressive thing on Zamkova Gora is the stunning views and landscapes. The river floodplain looks very beautiful from above. The cliff is surrounded by a stylish wooden fence. The beauty here is simply indescribable!

Another landmark of the city is the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The temple was built with the assistance of Prince Golitsyn in the 18th century. The beautiful, tall temple with an octagonal dome was built by famous Moscow architects and has features of classicism. The interior of the temple is decorated with magnificent frescoes from the New and Old Testaments. The best artists of Moscow, including the famous artists of the school of Vladimir Borovikovsky, were engaged in its painting. This is the only temple in Belarus where the painting of great Moscow artists has been preserved. In the years after the revolution, and especially after the Patriotic War, the temple was badly damaged. But the wonderful painting, despite everything, has been preserved. Next to the church there is a two-tiered bell tower with a small turret.

The observation deck overlooking the beautiful Sozh River will not leave anyone indifferent. There is a sign with a large anchor on the top. This sign indicates that shipping has long been well developed here. In addition to steamships, non-steam transport also sailed along the Sozh River: barges, boats, and berlins. The grandeur and beauty of the panorama is breathtaking. A staircase with a huge number of steps leads down to the Sozh. Now there is a beach there. The current in the river is quite fast, the water is transparent and clean.

There are other places to visit in the city. Right from the temple there is an alley of memory, leading us to pedestals with the names of villages that suffered from radiation during the Chernobyl accident. Here, despite the beautiful nature and well-groomed area, sadness and anxiety overcome. The one-story building of the post office, built in the 19th century, has also been preserved. At the same time, there was a ceramic factory in Propoisk that made rare ceramic tiles. Residents of the city still find its remains.

This is what modern Slavgorod is like... Small, but very majestic with its natural beauty and extraordinary landscapes. Quiet, calm, simple, without any special decorations and gloss, Slavgorod evokes peace in the soul, admiration and a desire to return here again!