Introduction

Vidzy is famous for numerous attractions, marvelous landscapes and wonder-working wells. Belarus’ first health rehabilitation resort is located close to the town.

Geographic information

Vidzy is situated in Braslav District (Vitebsk Region) 40 km away from Braslav and 260 km away from Vitebsk near Postavy―Daugavpils highway.

History

Vidzy was founded in 1481.

In the 15^th century the town belonged to the Great Principality of Lithuania, in after the division of Rzech Pospolita it became part of the Russian Empire.

Russian Emperor Alexander I visited Vidzy in 1812.

In 1843 the town became the centre of an administrative unit.

Vidzy was one of the first Belarusian towns to be occupied by Polish troops in 1921.

After the liberation of western Belarus in 1939 Vidzy was annexed to the Soviet Republic of Belarus.

During WWII the town was occupied by German invaders from 1941 till 1944.

Famous people

Tomas Wawrzecki, a prominent public figure of the Great Principality of Lithuania and participant of the upheaval of 1793 (successor of Tadeusz Kosciusko) was born and buried in Vidzy.

Other famous sons of the town include scholar and philosopher Jan Polonski, participant of the rebellion of 1830 Alexander Askerko, actor Andrei Vangin, writer Yevgeni Fedorov, geographer, biologist, linguist and historian Yakub Yakubovski, sculptor Eduard Berezkin.

Famous Russian actor and musician (Bely Orel band) Leonid Lyutinski was born in Vidzy, too.

Attractions

The town boasts of numerous tourist attractions, such as the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a water mill (late 19^th cent.), the Assumption Church (Old Believers, early 20^th cent.), the grave of Tomas Wawrzecki, Jewish, Tartar, Orthodox Christian, Roman Catholic and Old Believer cemeteries.

Landmark

The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built in Vidzy in 1914. The 60-metre-high cathedral combines the elements of the Roman and Gothic styles in architecture. Until recently it had been the highest cathedral in Belarus.

Several artillery shells were walled into the cathedral as a memory of the German attacks of 1915.

Events

Vidzy annually celebrates the Victory Day (May 9), the Day of the Republic, Kupalle (the Day of John the Baptist), Christmas and the New Year.

The Tartar community of Vidzy also celebrates Kurban Bayram that usually gathers a lot of Muslims from Belarus and neighbour states.

Infrastructure

Accommodation services provided by Golubev farmstead.

Meals available at a local café.

Tourist potential

The town with numerous monuments of architecture is a perfect destination for excursions.

Tourists may also visit the nearby located village of Vidzy―Lovchnskiye that used to host Belarus’ first resort in the 19^th century (a hydrogen sulfide well). Several mineral water wells have been discovered there recently.

Tours

A visit to Vidzy is stipulated by several tours of Braslav District:

· Vitebsk-Miory―Ikazn―Belmonty―Braslav―Opsa―Vidzy―Vidzy Lovchinskiye―Slobodka―Vitebsk;

· Minsk―Belmonty―Slobodka―Druya―Braslav―Zarachye―Mezhany―Opsa―Vidzy―Minsk;

· Minsk―Glubokoye―Udelo―Mosar―Slobodka―Braslav―Opsa―Vidz-Druya―Minsk.