7 things about Zelva region, that you have never known

Pearl of Zelva reservoirs

“It will take time, and the inhabitants of the lake will not be able to imagine themselves without a reservoir,” said Vladimir Pavlyuchuk, then Minister of Land Reclamation and Water Management, on the day of filling the reservoir, October 1, 1983.

And did not lie. After all, the first association associated with Zelva is undoubtedly a reservoir. Today, an artificial reservoir accumulates the waters of spring floods, moisturizes and irrigates agricultural land, regulates the flow of the Zelvianka River.

The area of ​​the Zelva Sea, as locals call it, is 1190 hectares — it is the largest body of water in the Grodno region, in the republic — at the 18th position. Its greatest depth is 7.5 m. Interesting fact from local rescuers: in the center of the water area there is a unique place where there is only a belt of water for an adult.

The environmental protection service prohibits the exploitation of boats and motorboats on the reservoir, which greatly contributes to the preservation of the local ecosystem.

Church of St. Uriy in Kremenitsa

For the first time Kremenitsa is mentioned in the annals in the second half of the XV century. This name was given to the village because of the silicon deposits at the bottom of the river, on the bank of which the settlement was located.

In 1617, Nikolai Volsky, the gentry, the owner of the local lands, invited Lateran canons from Krakow to Kremenitsa. For them, he built a church here. Also a monastery was built. Some historians claim that Volsky introduced a rule according to which every peasant who did not come to the service on Sunday or the feast, undertook to give for the benefit of the church of his ox. The son of Nicholas built at the temple a hospital for the poor, as well as a library, where there were more than a thousand rare books.

The monastery was closed after the uprising in 1831. But the church is still in effect. The temple survived in times of numerous wars, there are gravestones on the graves of Nikolai Volsky and his wife Barbara, buried here. On the tombstones, Barbara is depicted in monastic robes, and Nicholas — in knightly armor.

Church-fortress of sv. Archangel Mikhail in Synkovichi 

This is one of the earliest Gothic Orthodox churches in Belarus. Legend has it that the Grand Duke Vitovt founded the Synkovichi church. Such was his gratitude for the fact that he was able to escape in the local forests from the chase of cousin Jagiello. However, modern art historians and historians are inclined to the version that the temple was built at the beginning of the XVI century. Thanks to the great Lithuanian hetman Konstantin Ostrozhsky, who founded similar churches — Trinity and Prechistenskaya — in Vilna.

Today, the fortress church has become one of the most visited churches in our republic — at the expense of the Mother of God “All-Daughter” icon (by the way, this is a copy of the icon, the original of which is located on Mount Athos in Greece). Many believe that with its help it is possible to heal from serious illnesses, incl. from oncology.

Zelvenskіya sakavіny

Revived in the XXI century. Ann Kirmash became the main brand of the modern Zelva. And “Sakavins” can become the second, — such an opinion was expressed at one of the poetic evenings by the main initiator of the festival, our countryman, the poet Vladimir Mazgo.

Vladimir Minovich is the winner of numerous literary awards, including the Prize of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, winner of the “Golden Cupid”, the badge “For Great Contribution to Literature”, etc.

From the usual literary meetings within the walls of the native for Mazgo School № 2 “Sakaviny” turned into a celebration of the district level and became a long-awaited event for lovers of poetry and music.

Icons carved from wood

“For the first time I saw a carved icon in Minsk in the church of Saints Simeon and Helena,” recalls the master Valery Fitinsky. — Returning home, found a blunted cutter, began to make his mural. And it turned out! And after polished skill daily. Bought a professional tool. Over time, the work became more accurate, meaningful and deep.

During the four years that the master dedicated to carving on wood, more than 600 original works have come out from under his hands. Decorative panels, caskets, statues and, to which the artist received an official blessing from the Orthodox and Catholic churches, icons. At the festivals of arts and crafts, he was repeatedly awarded valuable diplomas.

A unique collection of insects. 5000 copies

Sergey Mikanovich — the owner of the agro-farm in the village of Voronichi. “Old All” is famous for the museum of insects. Personal collection
Sergei Ivanovich has about 5000 copies!

– I was repeatedly interested in the Internet, as many museums as mine exist. It turned out that there are only two in the post-Soviet space — here, in Voronichi, and another one in Pyatigorsk, — says the owner of the estate.

The exposure is dominated by butterflies. Moreover, not only Belarusian species were collected, but also foreign ones — from Indonesia, Mexico, the Caucasus and other parts of the world. They got to the museum by mail barter — from the same amateur entomologists.

Lepidopterofilia, i.e. collecting butterflies, Sergei Mikanovich is engaged in life. Owns not only a standard butterfly net, but also a spotlight, fragrant honey and beer baits — the hunter has his own methods.

Medukhovo. Republican reserve

Republican biological reserve «Medukhovo» stretched over 1,375 hectares among the Zelva forests and meadows. It was created in 1996 to preserve rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.

18 species of plants grow on the territory of the reserve and the habitats of 7 species of animals included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus have been identified. The maximum age of the local oak woods is about 150 years. Among coniferous forests there are areas with tree stands dating from the second half of the XIX century. The fauna of the reserve is represented by a population of hares, foxes, wolves, roes, elks. The birds and fish here are the same as are common throughout Acceptance. In addition, through the reserve runs the tourist route «Zelvensky dyyarush» with a total length of 75 km.