Orsha

Orsha is a city on the Dnieper River in Vitebsk Region, Belarus, serving as a transport hub and administrative center. Buildings spread across both sides of the river, where residential and industrial zones stand near older quarters with wooden houses and Soviet-era blocks.

The settlement began as a fortress in the Principality of Polotsk and appeared in chronicles for the first time in the 11th century. Over time, control shifted between Poland, Lithuania, and Russia, until it became part of the Russian Empire permanently in the 19th century.

The name reflects the Slavic roots of the area, and locals gather along the riverbanks for fishing and walks near the water. The bridges carry daily traffic between neighborhoods, and you hear Russian alongside Belarusian spoken in the streets.

The railway line divides the town, and several bridges connect the two banks for pedestrians and vehicles. On warm days, the riverbanks offer space to rest, while in winter the paths can become slippery at times.

Large boulders lie in the fields outside town, transported here during the ice age. The largest of these glacial stones stands near a neighboring village and is protected as a natural monument with official status.

Location: Orsha District

Inception: 1067

Elevation above the sea: 192 m

Shares border with: Orsha District

Website: https://orsha.vitebsk-region.gov.by

GPS coordinates: 54.50917,30.42583

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:26