Nawapolazk offers two distinct ways to explore the city’s history: the Museum of History and Culture traces the development of the town, while a water tourism route on the Western Dvina runs from Polotsk via Nawapolazk and back to Polotsk. The museum covers the city’s early history, everyday life at home, and industry; on the river, the route itself, with a stop in Nawapolazk, takes center stage. Choosing between culture and a boat trip can therefore shape your plans for your stay.

The Museum: City History in Four Themed Halls

The museum presents Nawapolazk’s development across four themed halls. The first covers its early history, from the first tent to the first gasoline. Visitors can also see what a 1960s youth hostel looked like. These two topics offer a shift from an early chapter in the city’s history to a specific example of everyday residential life at the time. The four themed halls form the exhibition structure; temporary displays may change.

The second hall has a different focus: a model shows Nawapolazk and its major industrial enterprises, viewed from a bridge with a transparent floor. Other displays explore the development of the Naftan refinery and the Polimir chemical plant. Visitors can choose between the halls according to their interests: this one focuses on the city model and industrial development, while the first covers the city’s early beginnings and the 1960s youth hostel. Individual objects or display elements may be updated.

Water Route on the Western Dvina

The water tourism route on the Western Dvina runs from Polotsk via Nawapolazk and back to Polotsk. One of its stops is the “First Tent” obelisk. This makes it easy to distinguish the water route from a museum-only visit: it follows a named route and includes a specific stop in Nawapolazk. Check current availability and water conditions before planning a specific trip.

Culture and Landscape in Vitebsk Region

The wider destination of Vitebsk Region offers a broader perspective. Its own cultural and natural attractions extend the experience beyond Nawapolazk. In Polotsk, in Vitebsk Region, the National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve is a historic area with eleven museums. The Museum of the History of the Architecture of St. Sophia Cathedral is located in the cathedral, an architectural monument dating from the mid-11th to the mid-18th century. St. Sophia Cathedral features masonry fragments from the 11th century, frescoes from the late 11th century, and an almost completely preserved floor plan or an almost completely preserved foundation. Focusing on a single architectural monument offers a different perspective from the history of Nawapolazk and its industry.

The wider destination of Vitebsk Region also has a natural landscape to explore. The Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve protects natural areas of the Eastern European mixed forest zone, as well as unique forest and wetland ecosystems. Its ecological forest trail passes through mixed forest, secondary birch forest, pine forest, and a raised bog. Alongside the urban histories of Nawapolazk and Polotsk, this offers a distinctly regional perspective on forest and wetland habitats.

Discover more destinations: Vorcy, Lyntupy, Lisna, Miory, Braslau, Verkhnedvinsk, Perevoz, Senno

View the regional travel guide: Vitebsk Region.