Navapolatsk, Belarus

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Navapolatsk, Belarus

Region: Navapolatsk


Geographic Coordinates: 55.533300, 28.650000
Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 30.0°C (-40°F to 86°F)
Climate: Cold winters and mild summers with precipitation throughout the year.
Population: 108000
Language: Belarusian

Navapolatsk is a city in northern Belarus, Close to the Russian border. It sits on the banks of the Dvina River, Making it an important transportation hub for both countries. The city’s population is around 100, 000 people and it’s one of Belarus’ largest industrial centers. The oil refinery in Navapolatsk is one of its most significant landmarks. It was built in 1959 and remains one of Europe’s largest refineries. The refinery processes crude oil from Russia and other countries to produce various types of fuel products that are distributed throughout Belarus and exported to neighboring countries.

Aside from its industrial significance, Navapolatsk also has several attractions worth visiting. One such attraction is the Museum of Local Lore which showcases exhibits related to Navapolatsk’s history, Culture, Flora and fauna. Another notable attraction is Victory Park – a beautiful park dedicated to World War II veterans with monuments honoring fallen soldiers as well as playgrounds for children. Navapolatsk also boasts several cultural institutions such as theaters and art galleries where visitors can enjoy performances by local artists or view exhibitions showcasing contemporary art pieces created by talented artists from all over Belarus.

For nature lovers looking for outdoor activities, There are plenty of options available around Navapolatsk including hiking trails through nearby forests or fishing trips on Dvina River where visitors can catch fish like pike-perch or catfish. Navapolatsk may not be as well-known as some other cities in Europe but it has much to offer visitors interested in exploring the history, Culture and natural beauty of Belarus. With its industrial significance, Cultural institutions and outdoor activities; Navapolatsk should be a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Belarus.



Important Landmarks

  1. Lenin Square – a central square with a statue of Vladimir Lenin and beautiful fountains.
  2. Victory Park – a large park dedicated to the victory of the Soviet Union in World War II.
  3. Museum of Local Lore – a museum showcasing the history and culture of Navapolatsk and its surrounding areas.
  4. Palace of Culture – an entertainment complex featuring theatres, cinemas, concert halls, and art galleries.
  5. The Church of Sts Peter and Paul – an Orthodox church built in 2006 with beautiful architecture.
  6. Pervomayskiy Park – a popular park for walking, picnicking, and enjoying outdoor activities.
  7. The Embankment – a scenic walkway along the Dvina River offering stunning views of the cityscape.
  8. Ice Palace Crystal – an ice rink that hosts various ice sports events throughout the year.
  9. Gagarin Park – another large park with several playgrounds for children as well as sports facilities for adults.
  10. The House-Museum Of Ales Adamovich – A museum dedicated to one of Belarus’s most prominent writers – Ales Adamovich.

Primary Industries

  1. Oil Refining: Naftan oil refinery is among the most prominent facilities in Belarus, producing gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricants, and other petroleum products.
  2. Chemicals: Navapolatsk boasts several chemical plants that manufacture fertilizers, plastics, synthetic fibers, and other chemicals.
  3. Metallurgy: The city has several metallurgical plants that produce steel products such as pipes and wire.
  4. Machinery: Navapolatsk houses numerous factories manufacturing machinery for different industries including agriculture and construction.
  5. Food Processing: There are several food processing companies in Navapolatsk including meat processing plants and dairy factories.
  6. Construction Materials: The city also has a number of factories producing building materials such as cement blocks and bricks.

Overall, Navapolatsk’s economy heavily depends on its industrial sector with most residents employed in these industries or related service sectors like transportation or logistics companies serving these industries.


Noteable History

Navapolatsk

  • Navapolatsk is a city that was founded in 1958 with the purpose of being an industrial center.
  • One of the most significant events in Navapolatsk’s history was the construction of the Naftan oil refinery. This project began in 1963 and was completed seven years later, making it one of Belarus’ largest refineries.
  • Another key aspect of Navapolatsk’s development has been its chemical industry, which experienced rapid growth during Soviet times. Today, this industry remains a significant part of the city’s economy.
  • Several notable individuals hail from Navapolatsk as well, including Olympic gold medalist Darya Domracheva (biathlon), footballer Vitali Kutuzov, and musician Yury Zhyvago.
  • In addition to these achievements, Navapolatsk played a role in responding to one of history’s worst nuclear disasters: following Chernobyl disaster in 1986 many children were evacuated to Navapolatsk for medical treatment.
  • Over time, Navapolatsk has undergone significant modernization efforts such as constructing new residential areas and infrastructure projects like roads and bridges. These developments have helped shape this young city into what it is today.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Navapolatsk Museum of Local Lore and History
  2. Palace of Culture named after Kirov
  3. Monument to the Heroes of the Great Patriotic War
  4. Church of Sts Peter and Paul
  5. Art Gallery Polesie
  6. Monument to Lenin
  7. Memorial complex To the fallen soldiers in Afghanistan
  8. Sports Complex Crystal
  9. The House-Museum of Yakub Kolas
  10. The Park named after Maksim Gorky


Sports Teams

  1. HC Naftan Navapolatsk – This ice hockey team was founded in 1963 and currently plays in the Belarusian Extraleague. They have won the Belarusian Cup twice and finished as runners-up in the league three times.
  2. FC Naftan Novopolotsk – This football club was founded in 1963 and currently plays in the Belarusian First League. They have never won any major titles but have been runners-up in the Belarusian Cup twice.
  3. BC Tsmoki-Minsk-2 Navapolatsk – This basketball team is a reserve team of BC Tsmoki-Minsk and plays in the Second Division of the Belarusian Basketball Championship.
  4. VC Atlant Navapolatsk – This volleyball club was founded in 1995 and currently plays in the top division of women’s volleyball league of Belarus.
  5. SKA-Naftan Navapolatsk – This bandy club was founded back in 1970, winning two national championships, one silver medal, and two bronze medals so far.


Cultural Events

  1. City Day (June 27th): a celebration of Navapolatsk’s founding with concerts, parades, and fireworks.
  2. International Festival of Folklore Verasen: held in late July, this festival features traditional music and dance performances from Belarus and other countries.
  3. Kupala Night Festival: held on the night of July 6th, this festival celebrates the summer solstice with bonfires, dancing, and flower wreaths.
  4. Slavianski Bazaar International Song Contest: held annually in nearby Vitebsk in July, this event brings together singers from across Europe to compete for prizes.
  5. Christmas Market: held in December, this market offers traditional holiday foods and crafts for sale.
  6. Victory Day (May 9th): commemorates the end of World War II with parades and ceremonies honoring veterans.
  7. Maslenitsa Festival: a week-long celebration before Lent featuring Russian-style pancakes called blini along with games and activities for children.
  8. Navapolatsk Jazz Weekend: an annual jazz festival featuring local musicians as well as international acts that takes place over several days in August or September.

Cuisine

  1. Khoroshki Restaurant – This restaurant offers traditional Belarusian cuisine with a modern twist. Popular dishes include draniki (potato pancakes), machanka (pork stew), and kolduny (meat dumplings).
  2. Pechki-Lavochki – This is a cozy café that serves homemade pastries, cakes, and desserts along with coffee and tea.
  3. Korchma Taras Bulba – This restaurant specializes in Ukrainian cuisine such as borscht, varenyky (dumplings), and holubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls).
  4. Vasilki Restaurant – This restaurant offers a mix of Belarusian, Russian, and European cuisine with an emphasis on fresh ingredients.
  5. Serebryanka Café – This café serves light meals such as sandwiches, salads, soups along with coffee drinks.
  6. Cafe Rendezvous – A cozy cafe that offers Italian-style pizza along with other dishes like pasta and salads.
  7. Shashlychnaya Alleya – A popular spot for grilled meat dishes like shashlik (kebab) served with potatoes or vegetables.
  8. BarBQ House – A casual dining place that serves American-style barbecue food like ribs, brisket etc., along with beer or cocktails.

Parks and Recreation

  1. Park of Culture and Rest named after S.M. Kirov
  2. Central Park of Culture and Rest
  3. Park Zvyazda
  4. Sports complex Atlant
  5. Swimming pool Dolphin
  6. Ice rink Iceberg
  7. Bowling club Strike
  8. Tennis court
  9. Football field
  10. Beach volleyball court

Suitcase

Find Yourself Again.


Explore more:

Boudouaou, Algeria

Reading Time: 7 minutes Boudouaou, Algeria Region: Boudouaou, Algeria Geographic Coordinates: 36.730000, 3.410000 Climate: Data not available. Population: 56398 Language: Arabic Boudouaou is a vibrant town located in the Boumerdès Province of Algeria, Approximately 40 kilometers east of the capital city, Algiers. Nestled between

Read More »

Bhola, Bangladesh

Reading Time: 9 minutes Bhola, Bangladesh Region: Bangladesh Geographic Coordinates: 22.686300, 90.646100 Climate: Varies. Population: 87243 Language: Bengali Bhola is a fascinating district located in the southern part of Bangladesh. Situated in the Barisal Division, It is the largest island district in the country

Read More »

Bỉm Sơn, Vietnam

Reading Time: 8 minutes Bỉm Sơn, Vietnam Region: Thanh Hóa Geographic Coordinates: 20.078100, 105.860000 Climate: Data not available. Population: 100820 Language: Vietnamese Bỉm Sơn is a captivating town located in the Thanh Hóa Province of Vietnam. Nestled amidst lush green mountains and picturesque landscapes,

Read More »

Araraquara, Brazil

Reading Time: 5 minutes Araraquara, Brazil Region: São Paulo Geographic Coordinates: -21.793900, -48.175800 Temperature Range: 15.0°C to 30.0°C (59°F to 86°F) Climate: Seasonal. Population: 226508 Language: Portuguese Araraquara is a lively city situated in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It has a population

Read More »

Baotou, China

Reading Time: 4 minutes Baotou, China Region: Inner Mongolia Geographic Coordinates: 40.656200, 109.835000 Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 35.0°C (-40°F to 95°F) Climate: Cold and dry winters, hot and rainy summers in Baotou, China. Population: 2709378 Language: Mandarin Baotou is a city situated on the

Read More »

Rangoon, Myanmar

Reading Time: 5 minutes Rangoon, Myanmar Region: Yangon Region Geographic Coordinates: 16.795000, 96.160000 Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F) Climate: Tropical monsoon climate with wet and dry seasons. Population: 5209541 Language: Burmese Rangoon, Also known as Yangon, Is the largest city in

Read More »