Polotzk 1579

Polotsk was included in the Russian state in 1563-1579. These years have brought about great changes in the urban structure. The Big Posad was abandoned, in which the city life was concentrated until 1563. It even was covered by a young forest. Streets and houses were abandoned because trade and handicraft activities declined sharply during the war. But Polotsk developed as a military-administrative center, a fortress. The Upper Castle was repaired, the walls and towers were fortified, and a large donjon-type gun tower was built. Also, the Russians in Polotsk built two new lines of fortifications: the so-called The Lower Castle (today its ramparts are hidden under the buildings of the city stadium) and Ostrog in Zapolotye. All fortifications were made of wood, and today we can only trace their traces on the ground. Of the buildings that can be associated with the events of 1579, we can only talk about the Cathedral of St. Sofia (heavily rebuilt in the 18th century as a Baroque basilica).