Tolochin

Introduction

Tolochin District is the land of green woods, clear rivers and picturesque lakes. It is the Motherland of many famous people.

Geographic information

Tolochin is located on the bank of River Drut 124 km away from Vitebsk. Tolochin District borders on Orsha, Chashniki and Senno districts of Vitebsk Region and Shklov and Krugloye districts of Mogilev Region. Brest-Minsk-Russian Border highway and a railway line of the same direction run through the territory of the district.

History

Tolochin was mentioned in chronicles in 1433 as a settlement in the Great Principality of Lithuania. The settlement belonged to the Princes of Drutsk and their ancestors and starting the 17th century, Tolochin belonged to Lev Sapega, the Chancellor of the Great Principality of Lithuania.

On October 4 1634 Tolochin was granted Magdebourg Right — the right to self-government.

After the first division of the Rzecz Pospolita (1772), the eastern part of the town of Tolochin became a part of the Russian Empire. It was named Old Tolochin or Russian Tolochin (border checkpoint). The western part of Tolochin was named New Tolochin. It remained a part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth till 1793.

During the war of 1812 French Emperor Napoleon stayed in Tolochin for some time.

German troops occupied Tolochin from February 1918 till October 1918 (WWI).

On July 17 1924 Tolochin became the centre of a district in Orsha Circuit.

Two weeks after the beginning of the Great Patriotic War in 1941 Tolochin became a center of fierce battles between Nazi troops and the Red Army.

The town was occupied by fascists till June 26, 1944, when it was liberated by the 5th Tank Army led by Marshal P. A.  Rotmistrov.

Famous people

Artist Mikhail Savitski, poet Vera Verba, playwright Alexander Petrashkevich, General of the Russian Army Viktor Kazantsev and many other outstanding people were born in Tolochin District.

Irving Berlin (Israel Isidore Baline), an American composer and lyricist, one of the most prodigious and famous American songwriters in history, was born here, too. He composed over 3,000 songs, many of which (“God Bless America”, “White Christmas”, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”, “There’s No Business Like Show Business”) left an indelible mark on American music and culture. In addition to his individual songs, he also composed 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores.

Some sources claim that Berlin was born in Russia’s Tymen, but all experts agree that his family had lived in Tolochin before they moved to the USA.

Attractions

The most prominent specimen of architecture in Tolochin are St Anthony Cathedral (1813-1861), a Basilian monastery (1769)and Svyato-Pokrovskaya Church (1804).

In addition, there is a museum of local history and culture (4, Pionerskaya St.) that has over 7,500 exhibits.

Landmark

The park of Tolochin is a perfect specimen of gardening techniques of the 19^th century. There is a lake and a brick barn in the park.

Events

In addition to national holidays like the Victory Day or the Day of the Republic, Tolochin annually hosts a number of events of the regional level, such as a rock festival (the last weekend of June), Talachynka beauty contest (March 8) and Mini Miss of Tolochin (June 1).

Infrastructure

Accommodation services provided by a hotel in Tolochin.

There is a restaurants too.

Tourist potential

Tolochin is a great destination for young people, families with children and al kinds of tourists who love history and marvelous nature.

Legends and traditions

According to a legend, a cross-shaped boulder appeared on the shore of Lake Glubokoye after Jesus Christ descended here centuries ago. He looked like a burglar and none of the residents of the nearby village agreed to give him shelter except for a kind-hearted woman. Jesus decided to punish the villagers and invited the woman to follow him. He asked her to go straight forward without looking back. However, the woman could not but turn back when she heard people screaming. She saw the village drown in the lake and then turned into that very boulder.

Tours

MayakTour travel agency offers an excursion to Drutsk, Orsha, Kopys, Smolyany and Tolochin.

• Accomodation
  • Hotels