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Kobrin
Kobrin is located 52 kilometers away from Brest and 295 kilometers away from Minsk. Motorways connect the town with Brest, Kovel, Malorita, Minsk and Pinsk. The town also has a railway station that belongs to Brest-Gomel rail line.
Kobrin was first mentioned in chronicles in 1274. The town was built on an island at the junction of the rivers Kobrinka and Mukhovets. In 1287 Prince Vladimir Vasilkovich of Volhynia signed the town over to his wife Olga Romanovna. Kobrin then belonged to principality of Galicia and Volhynia. Later, in the first half of the 14 century, it became part of the Grand Principality of Lithuania.
In the 15th century Kobrin itself became the major town of a principality. In 1497 there began the construction of Spas Monastery funded by the last representatives of the princely family — Prince Ivan Semenovich and his wife Fedora Ivanovna Rogatinskaya. In 1626 the monastery hosted the famous Kobrin synod that outlined the basic principles of the activity of the Greek Catholic (Uniate) Church.
In the middle of the 16th century Grand Prince of Poland Zhigimont the Old presented the town to Queen Bona.
The town was granted Magdeburg Right (the right to self-government) and received an emblem (the picture of St Anna and Our Lady with Jesus) in 1589 due to Anna Yagellonka. In 1589 there was also built a town hall.
In 1648 rebels led by Ukrainian hetman Bohdan Khmelnitsky entered the town. Later, it 1662, Kobrin experienced the invasion of the Lithuanian army, and in 1706, during the Northern War (1700-1721) the town was captured and ransacked by Swedish troops led by King Karl XII.
During the 1794 riot the town was occupied by Russian troops led by Alexander Suvorov. And in 1795 Queen Yekaterina II presented the town and the nearby located mansion called Kobrinski Klyuch to the great commander.
On June 15 1812 Russians won the first victory over Napoleon troops in a battle near Kobrin. A century later there was erected a monument in honour of this glorious victory.
According to the peace treaty signed in Riga in 1921, Kobrin became part of Poland. On September 22, 1931, the town was occupied by Soviet troops. During the Great Patriotic War it was captured by fascists.
Despite multiple military actions the town managed to preserve its unique architecture, including buildings and sites related to great Russian commander Alexander Suvorov. His mansion surrounded by a picturesque park currently hosts a museum of military history.
There is also an arts museum, and a museum of folk crafts in Kobrin.
Popular religious sights include Spas Monastery, Evangelist Oratory, Virgin Mary Church (1843), Alexander Nevski Cathedral (1868), the Great Sinagogue (19th century), St Peter and Paul’s Church (1911), St Nicholas Church (early 18th century). You can also visit a post office built in 1846.
Tourists keen on sport are invited to visit Kobrin on june 15-16, when the town celebrates its annual holiday. Every year there is always organised a marathon dedicated to the liberation of the town from fascist invaders. In 2008 Kobrin is also expected to host the annual harvest feast Dozhinki.
Kobrin visitors will have a chance to see a costume performance at Suvorov museum. And tourists from Poland might get interested in an excursion involving visit to the home of Mariya Radevich that currently hosts a school museum.
Kobrin has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. There are several hotels, including Suvorov (capable of accommodating 20 guests, with restaurant called Edelweiss, 60 seats, banquet hall), Belarus hotel (120 guests). In addition, there is a billiards club called Piramida and a bar called Prestizh in the town. Both stay open till 2 p.m. You can also visit Raduga cinema.
Tourist services in Kobrin are rendered by representatives offices of Sputnik and Atlant travel agencies. Both offer a wide range of tours and excursions. Atlant equipment rental center offers canoes, tents, mats, sleeping bags, skates and roller-skates.
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