Vitebsk

Vitebsk is a periphery city in Belarus, Europe
The city of Vitebsk is on of the oldest settlements in Belarus. It dates from more than 1000 years ago and was an impotant economic and military centre throughout the history of the Belorussian lands. Its strategical situation on a crossroad of the trade between the Baltic area and the Balkans as well as between Russia and western and central Europe has me it a major trade centre in the Renaissance centuries, but also brought to it numerous invasions from Baltic tribes, Russians, Germans, French and Polish. The city was destroyed several times, with the heaviest destruction taking part during World War II, when from its 170.000 inhabitants survived only less than 200 people.
Vitebsk is situated in picturesque area where the rivers Dzvina, Vitba and Luchesameet. It is surrounded by forests and plains which change rapidly with the change of the seasons. It is the birthplace of the famous painter Mark Chagall and favorite spot of Iliya Repin.