MOGILEV

Some historical glimpses

Mogilev is a more than 700-year-old city. According to the Mogilev chronicle, the Mogilev castle was built in 1267.

There are several legends explaining the origin of the city’s name. One of them is connected with Duke Lev Danilovich Mogij (the Mighty Lion), whose grave was crowned with a barrow later nicknamed Mogilev (or the Lion’s tomb).

In the course of its history the city was repeatedly attacked and besieged, even burnt to the ground not once. Invaders ruined and robbed it. Mogilev survived a number of conquests – the Sweden during the Northern War in 1700 – 1721 and the Napoleon ones during the Patriotic War of 1812, the Polish legionary Dovbor-Musnitzky corps and German Keiser troops occupation of 1918 and the last one – the fascist Germany occupation of 1941-1945. The city remembers the heroic defense of 1941 and the courageous struggle of the underground organization members during the Great Patriotic War.

Mogilev became the center of the province after the reunification with Russia in 1772. During the First World War the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Headquarters were based in Mogilev. Soviet power was established here in November 1917. Mogilev has been the center of the region since 1938. In June 1944 the city was freed from German invaders.

The restoration of the national economy after the war demanded the straining of efforts from all population of the city. The peoples of the former USSR and first of all Russian Federation lent a helping hand to Mogilev. Its image is now defined by the architectural monuments of the 18th – beginning of the 20th centuries and modern complexes and ensembles.

In 1980 Mogilev was rewarded with a 1st degree Order of the Patriotic War for courage and fortitude displayed by the population during the Great Patriotic War and the successful results achieved in the sphere of economic and cultural development. The bonds of friendship and cooperation bind the Mogilev residents with the inhabitants of Vitebsk, Smolensk and Rovensk regions, with the twin cities of Vlozlazeck and Torun (Poland), Gabrovo (Bulgaria) and Vijorbahn (France).

Geographical Position

Mogilev is the administrative center of the Mogilev region. It is situated in the eastern part of Belarus on the Dniepr River, which divides the city into 2 parts. The Mogilev of today is a modern city, decorated with green parks and public gardens. It is a comfortable and hospitable city for both its residents and guests. Pechersk forest-park stretches wide in the northwestern, and Lubuzh forest-park – in the southeastern outskirts of the city. Mogilev is divided into 2 administrative districts: Leninskij and Octyabrskij ones. The suburban area (the 40km radius away from the center of the city) occupies a part of the Chechyorskaya Plain.

Population

According to the data of February 2, 1999 Mogilev had the population of 356454 with 1214000 people living in the Mogilev region, 853000 of them being the city population. These figures rate Mogilev as the 3rd largest city in the Republic.

Industry

Mogilev is one of the largest industrial centers of Belarus and the region. It produces more than 50% of the total industrial output of the whole region. There are industrial enterprises producing chemical, textile and technical fiber, passenger elevators, wheeled prime movers, electric engines, centrifugal pumps, fabrics, shoes and other consumer goods. Mogilev is a large transport center. Railway, automobile, river and pipeline transportation is well developed here.

Culture

Mogilev is the scientific and cultural center of the region. It has 3 Universities (Pedagogic, University of Foodstaffs Processing and Technology and Mechanical Engineering), Technological Institute, 8 colleges and 13 vocational training schools. Here Mogilev Regional Archives, Mogilev Regional Museum of Local Lore, History and Economy together with Decabrists Museum and Museum of Ethnography, Art Museum of Belynitzkij-Birulya, the Lenin Regional library, the K. Marx city library and some smaller ones; Regional Drama and Puppet Theatres are situated. Material resources of the region and the high professional level of art and culture personnel let Mogilev become the host city for the “Zolotoj Shlyager” Music Festival, the Belarussian Podneprovye Authentic Folklore Festival and Belunitzkij-Birulya Art Sessions. All of them are now the unseparable part of the region.

Links

http://oldmogilev.newmail.ru/eng/index.html - This material for five minutes will lead you on intricate to labyrinthes of a Mogilev history. It will be useful as well as instructive and interesting.

http://region.mogilev.by/eng/ — Official site of Mogilev region administration