There are many legends relating to the foundation of Minsk and the origin of its name

               MINSK

There are many legends relating to the foundation of Minsk and the origin of its name. Situated on the crossing of river-routes linking the Baltic to the Black Sea, its trading history going back to prehistoric tones, Minsk is considered to have taken its name from the word miena or “barter”. Others look to a hill-fort a few kilometers to the west of the city on the banks of the river Menka. Aheroic folk-legend has it that a giant called Menesk kept a mill by the banks of the river and ground rocks and stones to make flour for bread to feed the war- men he had assembled to protect his settlement and safeguard its prosperity. So Menesk - later Mensk - came into being.

In prehistoric times vast and impenetrable forests covered most of the country and served against attacks from the East and West. This profitable position promoted the growth of Mensk by the last quarter of the 10^th century. Prince Rohvalad reigned over the Belarusian principality of which early Minsk formed part. Rohvalad’s daughter Rahneda married Prince Vladimir of Kiev. The dynastic rivalry between the two houses of Kiev and Polotsk explains the turbulent history of Mensk in its early years as it was situated on the southern borders of the latter principality. The centre of the town shifted to a new site, giving access to the waters of the Vilia, Berezina, Nemiga and Svisloch rivers. The high ground south of the stream offered a good defensive position. Public buildings, dwelling houses and fortifications were raised of timber. The first recorded mention of Minsk in 1066 however relates to the dynastic wars with Kiev.

For many centuries Minsk was fighting against various enemies, it was burnt, destroyed and rebuilt not once. The town was occupied by Tatars, the armies of Peter the Great, by Charles XII (Sweden). Periodic outbreaks of plague and other illnesses reduced the population of the town. The great fire of 1737 resulted in the rebuilding of wooden houses into brick houses, some of them have survived since then. By the mid-18th century Minsk had two benevolent hospitals. As for schools, in addition to fee-paying pupils, the Jesuit college admitted as scholars the children of poor families free of charge. By 1771 there was also a school for girls in the Trinity suburb.

The 19^th century was greatly influenced by the Russian rule. The Russification began with Russian style churches being built in prominent positions, or existing churches being suppressed. Streets were given different names in Russian: Frantsiskanskaya became Gubernatorskaya, Dominikanskaya became Petropavlovskaya and so on. The tsars showed little interest in Minsk and seldom visited it. However, a long period of peace brought with it material prosperity. During this period Minsk acquired its National Theatre (1890), the first School of Art (1906), the Academy of Sciences (1913) and proposals were also made for the establishment of a National University. Later came the First World war and the Second World war. Despite the terrible destruction Minsk survived and was restored. Now both old and new Minsk are equally nice and interesting for the visitors of the city.

Today’s appearance of the city has developed due to many historical factors. Indeed, Minsk is situated right on the way from the West to the East. It was many times destroyed by invaders and devastating fires