Svisloch

Svisloch is named after the river of the same name that flows nearby.

The village of Svisloch is one of the most ancient Belarusian settlements. According to historians’ assertion, the border of the Polotsk principality was located in these parts. This fact highlighted the need to build here a settlement of the castle type.

As it is stated in written sources, the construction of the castle is associated with the fact that Prince Gleb Mena settled down in Svisloch.

The building of the castle was made of wood. It was fortified with two huge ramparts that ensured great reliability and protection. Thus, Prince Gleb Mena wanted to defend the citizens from multiple wars, providing the basis for their security and confidence.

The village had beneficial geographical location. There were a lot of rivers around it. It was extremely important those days because the water trade routes were the path for many goods. That promoted the rapid economic growth of the settlement.

In the days of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Svisloch was the center of the principality.

In the course of time the castle had lost its defensive significance and gradually turned into a usual feudal building, that didn’t do for the village security and defense within military battles.

During the Polish–Muscovite War of the Commonwealth the castle was easily captured by the Cossacks. It was plundered and reduced to ashes.

The only remembrance of the “mighty defender” is the remnants of the earthen walls.

Nowadays only the ruins of the ancient castle remained in the village of Svisloch. But even the ruined castle is the subject of multiple historical debates and contradictions. Historians have still been arguing whether it was the castle or just a huge wooden building. The supporters of the latter idea assert that the remnants of the building don’t resemble the ruins of the fortified castle.

The remained ruins that can be seen by tourists nowadays are similar not to the huge castle-defender, but to the usual domestic buildings. Nevertheless they do not look any less picturesque because of it. It’s a great shame that today no works on the restoration of the castle are being undertaken. Whereas the locals use the remnants of the bricks for their household needs.

In 1975 the summer camp “Svisloch” was opened in the village. It is situated in the picturesque place just 300 meters from the river. Fresh air and the water of the river help the children to improve their health, have rest and spend useful days here. The camp consists of a complex of buildings, each of which carries a specific function. Here you can find residential and medical buildings, the canteen compartment and the gaming rooms.