Boris stones, Sacred boulders in Western Dvina River, Belarus
Boris stones are a collection of seven large boulders lying along the banks of the Western Dvina River between Polotsk and Drissa, each inscribed with Christian crosses and text. These glacial deposits were later carved with religious symbols and messages.
These boulders were carved in the 12th century when Prince Rogvolod Vseslavich, baptized as Boris, ordered crosses and inscriptions to be cut into the existing glacial stones. This work marked a turning point in the region's religious past.
The stones display ancient inscriptions in Greek letters proclaiming Christ's victory, showing how local communities shifted from pagan beliefs to Christianity. These carved messages were meant to make the new faith visible and lasting in the landscape.
Currently only three stones are accessible to visitors: one stands near St Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk, another is displayed in the Museum of Boulders in Minsk, and a third is located in Kolomenskoe. Each site can be visited separately.
The largest stone has a circumference of roughly 17 meters (56 feet), making it a remarkably substantial carved inscription. Some fragments were only rediscovered underwater in 1988, having been submerged during the Soviet period.
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