Bykhov

Introduction

Bykhov used to host an armory shop that was widely known in the 16^th-18^th centuries. Local armourers produced high-quality cannons, cannon-balls, bullets and other armaments that enjoyed a great demand in Medieval Europe.

Geographic information

Bykhov is located 50 km away from Mogilev. Railways connect the town with Mogilev and Zhlobin, and motorways link it with Mogilev and Rogachev, as well as Mogilev-Gomel and Mogilev-Bobruisk highways.

History

Bykhov was founded in 1370. Initially the town belonged to Svidrigailo, Prince of the Great Principality of Lithuania. In 1610-1619 hetman Jan Khodkevich built here a castle, much of which was ruined by Russian troops during the Great Northern War.

The fortifications of the castle were later restored by the noble family of Sapega.

After the first division of Rzech Pospolita in 1773 Bykhov became the center of an administrative unit.

After the dethronement of the last Russian tsar the lyceum of Bykhov turned into a prison for rebels against the Interim Government, including Kornilov, Denikin, Markov, Lukomski, Romanovski, Erdeli, Vannovski, Elsner, Kislyakov, Orlov.

Attractions

These include a feudal castle (17^th cent.), a synagogue and a fortress (early 17^th cent., baroque).

Another place of interest is the wooden Holy Trinity Church (19^th century, three-story bell-tower).

A WWII memorial can be found by the village of Ludchitsy 10 km away from Bykhov.

The memorial contains monuments to six heroes of the Soviet Union: Ivan Borisevich (Belarus), Petr Vinchenko and Vladimir Martynov (Russia), Galaktion Razmadze (Georgia), Sundutkali Iskaliyev (Kazakhstan), Gulyam Yakubov (Uzbekistan).

Landmarks

Bykhov is home of the wonder-working icon of Our Lady Borkolabovskaya (1659) — a masterpiece of the Belarusian iconography. The icon is kept in the Holy Trinity Church. The icon is known for many divine miracles, most of which date back to the Great Northern War and the Patriotic War of 1812.

The icon survived several wars, a fire in 1882 and the pressures of atheist ideology in the early 20^th century.

Events

Thousands of pilgrims arrive in Bykhove every year on July 11 to celebrate the day of the appearance of the wonder-working icon of Our Lady Borkolabovskaya.

Infrastructure

Accommodation services provided by the following hotels:

· Dnepr;

· young tourist center.

There are numerous cafes in Bykhov:

In addition, there is a swimming pool, Rodina cinema, a museum of local history and culture.

Guests of the town are welcome to visit Pobeda Park (Lenin Street).

Tourist potential

Target group — tourists interested in military history and religion.

Legends and traditions

Borkolabovski Nunnery received the wonder-working Our Lady icon from Russian Prince Pozharski who stayed here on his way from Lithuania to Russia in 1659. The icon was transported in a military wagon train that stopped once it passed the nunnery and could not move further until the price handed the icon to Abbess Fotinya.

Tours

Bykhov is part of the tour called The Roads of Courage and Battle Glory organized

• Accomodation
  • Hotels
• Architecture
  • Religion
  • Castles and fortresses
• Food