The centre of underground anti-fascist movement

Ushachi, Vitebsk Region

Introduction

During the Great Patriotic War Ushachi District hosted several large cells of the underground anti-fascist movement. The heroic deeds of Belarusian partisans were described by many writers, including Vasil Bykov and Rygor Baradulin.

Geographic information

Ushachi is located 150 km away from Vitebsk and 45 km away from Polotsk on the bank of River Ushacha. Ushachi District borders on the districts of Shumilino, Beshenkovichi, Lepel, Dokshitsy, Glubokoye and Polotsk.

History

Ushachi was first mentioned in historical papers in the 16^th century. In 1758 the town received the so-called Magdebourg Right (the right to self-government) and an emblem that depicted St Laurentius near a golden river.

After the second division of Rzech Pospolita in 1793 the town became part of the Russian Empire, and in 1805 Ushachi received the status of the centre of a territorial unit. Troops under the command of lieutenant general Vitgenstein were stationed here in 1812.

The Soviet regime was established in Ushachi in 1917, and two years later the town became part of the Socialist Republic of Russia.

The town was occupied by fascists from 1941 till 1942, and from 1942 to 1944 it hosted the headquarters of a local anti-fascist unit. In 1944 fascist invaders killed over 700 local residents. On June 29 1944 the town was liberated from fascists by the Red Army.

Famous people

Ushachi District was the Motherland of famous Belarusian archeologist and historian Frantishek Varenka, poets Sergey Petrus, Sergey Zakonnikov and Yevdokia Los, as well as outstanding writer Vasil Bykov.

Attractions

Ruins of an ancient settlement can be found in the eastern part of the town. Other monuments of architecture are St Laurentius Cathedral (1903) and the Church of St Nicholas.

The Museum of People’s Glory (37, Leninskaya St.) has over 14,000 exhibits related to the underground anti-fascist movement.

In addition,there is a museum of Vasil Bykov is his former home in the village of Bychki.

Landmark

Proryv (Breakthrough) memorial dedicated to the heroic deeds of Belarusian partisans in the years of the Great Patriotic War is located 9 km away from Ushachi. 16 underground anti-fascist units headed by the would-be Hero of the Soviet Union Lobanok broke the fascist blockade in 1943 and helped the Red Army liberate over 15 thousand local residents.

The memorial opened on June 30 1977. It is a concrete wall split in two with a bronze figure on an underground fighter in the middle. The memorial also contains 33 plates with the names of 1,450 heroes who perished here during the blockade and the breakthrough.

Events

Ushachi annually celebrates the anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from fascist invaders.

Infrastructure

Ushachi has a hotel (24, Leninskaya St., BYR 12,120-BYR 18,220 per day) and a restaurant called Kupalinka (25, Leninskaya St.).

Tourist potential

Target group — tourists interested in history, in particular the Great Patriotic War, and travelers who enjoy natural landscapes. The latter may spend a few days at Lesnye Ozera (Forest lakes) recreation centre that is situated near the lakes of Barkovschina, Dolzhino and Vechelye.

Legends and traditions

Tours

Ushachi is part of an eight-day-long cycling tour called Explore Belarus (Oshmyany, Myadel, Polotsk, Khatyn, Logoisk, etc.).

Organiser

Travel Time company

The tour was developed by Y. N.  Shumakovich

Tel.: +375 29 271 46 34