Disna (city)

The settlement has been known since the XI century as the fortress of the Principality of Polotsk, Kopets-gorodok (from the word dig ).

The first written mention of Disney dates back to 1461. However, the fortified settlement of Disna as part of the Polotsk Voivodeship on the island at the confluence of two rivers is known from more recent data - according to the Polotsk “scribal book” for 1563. It says about the existence of Kopts , that is, earthwork (from the word “dig” ) Then, opposite the fortified island, on the left bank of the Disna River, the "village of Disna" already existed. Thus, the rapid development and strengthening of the city in the XVI century. It is explained not only by the advantageous strategic and topographical position, but also by the “habitability” of this land in previous centuries.

After the capture of Ivan the Terrible of Polotsk (1563), the Polish king Stefan Batory , trying to compensate for the loss, began the forced construction of Disna Castle. The new castle complex, stretching along the island (at the same time the southern channel of the river expands and deepens), has incorporated the old earthen fortifications. The fortress of Disna was built by the court builder Batory S. Genga from Urbino . From now on, Kopets became known as the Old Castle. In essence, it was a single fortress, well known for the wars of the XVI-XVIII centuries.

Stefan Batory, King Sigismund III , Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and other statesmen and military leaders repeatedly visited Disna. During the Northern War , Russian, Polish, Swedish troops and Cossack troops passed through the city.

Since 1793, Disna has been a part of the Russian Empire , the center of Disney County . The city underwent significant destruction during the Patriotic War of 1812 . The fire of 1882 destroyed many of the city’s wooden buildings. From Disney Castle, surrounded in the past by high ramparts with nine towers, only traces of fortifications have survived.

In 1897, 6756 people lived in the city: 4590 Jews, 1567 Belarusians, 396 Russians, 187 Poles ^[4] .

The city of Disna, located on a peninsula opposite the castle, despite the destruction, inherited many features of the architectural planning of the 16th century. (Hedeman's plan, end of the 16th century). According to the plan of the second half of the XVIII century. the city was divided according to a regular pattern, corresponding to the situation of Disna on the peninsula. The width of the latter is in the range of 500-750 m, which determined the compactness of the city plan. Two main streets - one directed towards the Dvina - Zamkovaya (now Yubileynaya St.), the other - to the bend of Disna - Voskresenskaya (now Kirova St.), crossed at an acute angle to the middle of the city. In this place, the ensemble of the market square with the town hall and shopping malls developed.

In 1921-1939, Disna was a part of Poland , the center of the district.

Since 1939 - as part of the Byelorussian SSR , since 1940 - the center of Disnensky district.

In the Great Patriotic War, the invaders created a ghetto here.

Until 1954, Disna was the center of the Disnensky district of Polotsk , since 1954 - the Molodechno region . Since 1959 - as part of the Miorsky district of the Vitebsk region .

• Zamchishche (XVI — XVII centuries) - the walls of the Lower Castle are preserved
• Franciscan Roman Catholic Church (1773) - was blown up, restored
• County Department of Sobriety Guardianship (early 20th century)
• Manor "Doroshkovichi" (XIX century), including a manor house, outbuildings (ruins)
• School (end of XIX - beginning of XX centuries)
• Resurrection Church (1864-1870)
• Orthodox Church of the Icon of Our Lady " Hodegetria " (1904) with a bell tower
• Catholic cemetery, including brama (end of the 19th century)
• Hospital (beginning of XX century) - ruins

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  Franciscan Roman Catholic Church

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  Orthodox Resurrection Church

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  Hospital ruins

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  The building of the former school (late XIX - early XX centuries.)

• Disney Ghetto

• A. Shulman. On the swing of time, Minsk, Medisont, 2009, p. 94-154 ISBN 978-985-6887-58-4

• Disna on the Globe TUT.by
• Article about the city on onliner.by