Valozhyn

Valozhyn, Vałožyn or Volozhin (Belarusian: Вало́жын, [vaˈɫoʐɨn]; Russian: Воло́жин; Polish: Wołożyn; Yiddish: וואָלאָזשין‎; also written as Wolozin and Wolozhin) is a town in the Minsk Region of Belarus. The population is 11,500 (1995). It is located at 54°5′N 26°31′E / 54.083°N 26.517°E / 54.083; 26.517Coordinates: 54°5′N 26°31′E / 54.083°N 26.517°E / 54.083; 26.517, 75 km (47 mi) northwest of Minsk, on the Valozhynka river in the Neman River basin, and the beginning of the Nalibokskaya Forest. Average temperatures are −6.5 °C (20 °F) in January and 17.5 °C (64 °F) in July with 659 mm (26 in) of annual rain.

History

Overview

The town was built on the main road leading from Vilnius to Minsk. It is divided into two sections: the "lower neighborhood" along the river and the "upper neighborhood" toward the hills. Half of the town square is framed by the remains of 12th century buildings, including a bell tower, a palace, and a monastery. Most of the other remaining impressive buildings in the town are from the 19th century.