Miory

The town is located on a lake shore 190 kilometers away from Vitebsk. Motorway connect Miory with Novopolotsk, Polotsk, Vitebsk, Disna, Verkhnedvinsk, Braslav and Sharkovschina. In addition, there is a railway station in the town.

Miory was first mentioned in chronicles in 1514. It was then known as Mereya estate that belonged to Braslav district of the Great Principality of Lithuania. On January 13, 1517 king Zhigimont the Old presented the settlement to governor of Podlyask province Ivan Sapega, and in 1567 Miory became part of the estate of the noble family of Mirski. A church was built in Miory in accordance with the will of Nastasya Mirskaya in 1621.

An Orthodox Christian monastery opened in Miory in 1644. The monastery was ransacked on January 20, 1690 and handed over to Uniates.

Simeon of Polotsk, an outstanding Belarusian enlightener and church activist, who used to teach the children of Russian Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, signed all of his possessions over to Belarusian monasteries, including the Miory monastery.

A public school opened in Miory in 1866.

In the early 20^th century in accordance with Riga Treaty Miory District became part of Poland. After the western part of Belarus was re-united in 1939 Miory again became a Belarusian town. During the Great Patriotic War the town hosted the headquarters of the regional departments of the Communist Party and the Communist Youth Union. The area was liberated from fascist invaders by the troops of the First Baltic Front during a military operation called Bagration.

Miory located on the shore of a picturesque lake is a pleasant place to visit. The town’s 500-metre-long quay is the favourite recreation place of all local residents and visitors.

A cathedral built in 1907 dominates the town’s architectural structure. A unique monument to an unborn child by sculptor Ales Dranets was installed near the cathedral in the late 20^th century.

The town has a hotel and a tourist hostel called Aktam that consists of a number of cottages.

There are three cafes in Miory — Chaika, Brigantina and Molodezhnoye.

Travelers who come to Miory by car may always turn to the local service station.

The town annually hosts a festival of ethnic cultures called The Belarusian Land Has United Us. Another annual event in Miory is the regional Christmas song contest called Bethlehem Star.

There are three cinemas in Miory, a museum of the town’s history and ethnography and a museum of local culture and lore (based in school No.3). Local craftsmen are always ready to give you a few baking and souvenir-making lessons.

Do not miss a chance to visit a unique nature reserve called Yelnya where you can enjoy fishing, hunting, gathering mushrooms and berries. Travelers striving for some thrill may also hire an experienced guide to explore local swamps that are considered to be the biggest in Europe.

• Accomodation
  • Hotels
• Food
• Nature
  • Reserves
  • Lakes