Zdzitava

Zdzitava (Belarusian language: "Здзітава") is a village in the Biaroza rajon of the Brest voblast of Belarus located between the lakes chornaye and Sporawskaye on the Drahabuzh River with a population of fewer than 1000 people.

History

First people appeared on this territory in the neolithic age. Remains of ancient settlements were found to the north and east from the village. First written mention of the city of Zdzitaw refers to the year 1005 and is related to establishment of the first Western rite diocese.

Until recent times the first known document mentioning Zdzitaw was the Hypatian Codex of 1252. The chronicle described a war between Volhynian dukes Danila and Vasilka against the Lithuanian duke Mindaugas. The way from Volhynia to Lithuania laid through the fortresses Vietla on the Pripyat and Zdzitaw on Jasielda and further to Slonim and Navahrudak. The original city was located 7 km to the north of modern village, on the bank of the Jasielda river.

Zdzitaŭ was one of the 35 cities that existed on the territory of Belarus before 1300. Zdzitaŭ was a volost centre in the Duchy of Slonim. In the 14th century the town became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Approximately at this time it was destroyed, probably as a result of a military campaign of Kiev dukes against Yotvingians, and was rebuilt at the current place.

Before 1430 Zdzitaw was granted Magdeburg rights and was a local centre in the Slonim paviet and under direct ducal rule. In the time of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Zdzitaŭ lost its urban rights, became property of individual nobles and later transformed to a village.

During the World War II the region of Polesia became a centre of active partisan movement. At the beginning of 1944 Soviet partisans managed to liberate a certain territory far from the front line and defend it against surrounding German armies for 6 days.

Places of interest

* Monument "The Defence of Zdzitava"
* A local church