Before starting the story about the sights of Bobruisk and the Bobruisk district, it is worth paying attention to the city itself, its inhabitants and its history.
Statistics
Bobruisk is one of the largest regional cities in Belarus. This is the district center of the Mogilev region, located on the territory of the Central Berezinsky plain. The territory of the district is spread out on slightly hilly terrain, where there is a dense network of rivers and canals. Bobruisk is a historical and cultural center with an area of more than 90 square kilometers. According to various statistics, the population of the city is from 215 to 218 thousand inhabitants.
History of the city
During the period of the existence of Kievan Rus, there was a settlement on the site of the city, then turned into a small village. There are historical records about this at the beginning of the VI century.
The first mention of the city of Bobruisk refers to the distant 1387. Then this territory was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The city got its name thanks to the mass fishing - beaver hunting. The population of the then Bobruisk survived through beaver hunting and fishing. Over time, Bobruisk became a volost. Later, a castle was built on the territory of the city, which burned down in 1649. The sights of Bobruisk of those years did not reach contemporaries.
The city passed to the Russian Empire in 1792, and in 1795 Bobruisk turned into a county town of the Minsk province.
Over the entire period of the city’s existence, its names and its appearance changed. From Bobrovsk, Bobruesk, Bobrusek, the city gradually turned into Bobruisk.
Modern Bobruisk
The modern look of Bobruisk is a combination of monumentality and severity of high-rise buildings with the unique color of the buildings of the old city. Part of the rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage is represented by cozy old mansions, houses and wooden houses. This is only a small part of the history of Bobruisk.
Belarus protects the cultural and historical heritage and sights of Bobruisk as state values. All of them are protected by law and are protected by the country. Any criminal act aimed at the destruction, destruction and desecration of the national heritage of the city is punishable by criminal or administrative liability in accordance with the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
The sights of Bobruisk are 179 architectural monuments, 20 art monuments, 1 archaeological site, 63 historical monuments, 15 memorial plaques.
Bobruisk fortress
Among all this, a special place is occupied by the main historical center of the city - Bobruisk fortress. This is a unique building related to the defensive architecture of the XIX century. According to archival data, the construction of this fortress began in 1810. The Bobruisk fortress in those days was the largest and most massive defensive point of the Russian Empire. Its construction was not delayed for many years, and by 1812 it fully corresponded to the design of Karl Opperman - the chief architect of the structure.
This is the only fortress in Russia that survived and did not surrender after the advance of Napoleon's army. She is famous for the fact that the army of Bagration kept the pressure of the French troops. It was there that the future Decembrist officers held their service. During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, fascist troops captured the city, gaining a foothold in the citadel. And the building itself was turned into a concentration camp. After the hostilities, the building was badly damaged, but preserved. Reconstruction work is currently underway. In 2002, the title of a monument of history and culture of republican and world significance was officially assigned to the Bobruisk fortress.
St. Nicholas Cathedral
St. Nicholas Cathedral is a historical monument. It was originally built in 1600. It was later reconstructed and consecrated in 1894. This is the oldest Orthodox building in the city. Always the inhabitants of the city considered Nicholas the Wonderworker as their patron. Therefore, St. Nicholas Cathedral is not only included in the sights of Bobruisk, but also is the center of the spiritual life of the city. After 2002, the building was reconstructed and shone in its original form.
Settlement and Museum of Local Lore
The main archeological monument in the city is the Selishche, discovered for the first time in 1978. It is located in the Bobruisk district on the left bank of the Bobruisk river. Among the excavations were found objects of ancient everyday life. The most valuable find is the Roman Empire copper coin from the time of Marcus Aurelius. All treasures found of historical significance are in another attraction of Bobruisk - in the National Museum of Local Lore of the city. It is there that all the valuable exhibits found in the city and the district are collected. The entire exposition is a story about the history of the region, presented in the form of records, photos, drawings, household items, national and ethnographic costumes, documents.
Heroes Memorial
There is a memorial complex in the city, recreated on the site of the death of Major General B. Bakhrov. in 1944. His division freed the city of Bobruisk from the Nazi invaders. At this place, a monument is a tank. This is a real T-34, with a 76-millimeter gun. The stars on the tank barrel indicate the number of destroyed enemy units. There are 10. There are graves of soldiers who died for the freedom of Bobruisk near the memorial sign. In 1958, obelisks were installed next to the tank. In 2005, the reconstruction of the memorial complex and Victory Square, where it was installed. Residents of the city and country honor and remember their heroes.
Historical and spiritual sights of Bobruisk
Not all significant places we have described. Part of the city’s architectural structures are the sights of Bobruisk. Of these, a number of houses are 19th-century architecture objects that once belonged to the merchant Katsnelson and her family.
There are many churches and cathedrals, synagogues and churches in the city. Residents of the city have always been spiritual and religious people, especially in ancient times. The attractions of this plan include:
- Church of Elijah the Prophet.
- Svyatoretsensky Church of Luke.
- Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit.
- Church of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.
- St. George's Church.
- St. Nicholas Cathedral.
- Bobruisk monastery of myrrh-bearing women.
- Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
- Bobruisk city synagogue.
It is the latter that is famous in Belarus for its ancient sacred Torah, which even Jerusalem recognized.
Once Bobruisk was a city where the majority of the population was Jews. Alas, in 1988 a massive relocation began, and almost all of them went abroad, taking with them a piece of history.
Positive
There are also sights of Bobruisk, reviews of which are only positive emotions. These include three commemorative signs:
- Monument to Beaver.
- Monument to Beaver on the bench.
- Monument to Shura Balaganov.
The first two fun and symbolic objects are dedicated to the very Beaver, which is located in the Museum of Local Lore of the city.
This is a favorite place for tourists and locals, convenient for photos.
And the monument to Shura Balaganov at the former water tower is dedicated to the famous book of Ilf and Petrov “The Golden Calf”, where there is a mention of Bobruisk. This is one of the most positive monuments of the city.
Once in this city, even by accident, one cannot ignore the sights of Bobruisk associated with various events and the history of the whole country. There are a lot of them, and stories about them will not convey that energy and the perception of touching the story as a sensation of real vision. Bobruich guests are always welcome. The city has something to see, what to visit, where to stay for relaxation.