Discover

'Slonim' (Belarusian: Сло́нім) is a city in Belarus in the Hrodna voblast and Slonim rayon, located at the junction of the Shchara and Isa rivers, 143 km southeast of Hrodna. The population in 1995 wss 53,100.

Contents

Geography & Climate

History

Early history

Lithuanian and Polish rule

Russian rule

20th century

Recent developments

Etymology and historical names

Demographics

Population growth

Ethnic groups

Languages

Religion

Government and administrative divisions

Districts

Microraions

Economy

Industry

Transport and infrastructure

Local Transport

Rapid Transit

Railway and intercity bus

Airports

Education

Major universities

Culture and religion

Notable Buildings

Churches

Theatres

Museums

Recreation areas

Sport

Sister cities

See also

References

External links

Geography & Climate

History

Early history

The earliest record is of a wooden fort on the left bank of the Shchara river in the 11th century, although there may have been earlier settlement.

Lithuanian and Polish rule

The Slonim area was disputed between the Lithuanians and the Kievan Rus' amd it changed hands several times. In 1040, the Kievans won control of the area after a battle but lost Slonim to the Lithuanians in 1103. The Russians retook the area early in the 13th century but were expelled by a Tartar invasion in 1241 and the town was pillaged. When, later in the year, the Tartars withdrew, Slonim became Lithuanian again.
In 1569, Lithuania and Poland united and Slonim became an important regional centre within greater Poland. From 1631 to 1685 the city flourished as the seat of the Lithuanian diet.

Russian rule

Poland was dismembered in 1569 and divided between its neighbours, Germany, Austria and Russia. Slonim was in the Russian portion. The wars had damaged Slonim, but in the 18th century, a local landowner, Graf Oginski, encouraged the recovery of the area]; a canal was dug to connect the Shchara with the