Senno brings together local history, religious sites and traditional crafts. The local history museum is dedicated to the cultural, historical and natural heritage of Senno District; the chapel and church each have their own distinctive features in terms of dedication, icon and architectural history. These subjects are explored in different ways: through exhibitions, architecture and a hands-on craft workshop.
Museum and historical exhibitions
The Senno Local History Museum is located at 13 Sovetskaya Street and is dedicated to the cultural, historical and natural heritage of Senno District. It is housed in a former zemstvo administration building dating from 1910, constructed in the Classicist style. This brings together the heritage of the entire district and the history of a specific administrative building.
The “Memory Mirror” exhibition is open to all visitors and includes documents, photographs and objects relating to the period of occupation and the crimes of National Socialism. Another exhibition at the local museum features detailed maps and descriptions of battles. The exhibitions differ in their material: “Memory Mirror” focuses on documents, photographs and objects, while the battle exhibition is presented through maps and descriptions.
Chapel and church architecture
The Chapel of St Matrona is located on Vitbeskaya Street on the southern shore of Lake Senno. It was built for Senno’s 575th anniversary; an icon of Saint Matrona of Moscow is kept inside. The chapel thus combines its connection to the city’s anniversary with its religious dedication.
The Church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker was built in Senno between 1998 and 2003. Its exterior is reminiscent of the Wooden Pokrovskaya Church, built between 1858 and 1860 in the traditions of folk architecture with Classicist elements. The comparison brings together two clearly different building periods: the older example dates from the 19th century, while the church in Senno was built much later.
Crafts and planning
The Senno House of Crafts invites visitors to take part in a workshop with Vladimir Ivanovich Kvasko on making the Glukharevskaya pipe. Advance registration is required; check before travelling whether the workshop is available on your dates. Unlike the exhibitions, the focus here is on making a specific object.
In the wider destination of Vitebsk Region
In the wider destination of Vitebsk Region, Polotsk offers its own focus on cultural history. The Polotsk National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve comprises eleven museums; its art gallery presents the history of the city and Belarus through religious and secular works of art. The Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve offers a different focus, preserving the natural complexes of Eastern Europe’s mixed forest zone, as well as forest and wetland ecosystems. Its natural history museum is open daily: from May to September, 09:00–18:00; from October to April, 09:00–17:00. Opening hours may change; check them before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Hili, Moiseevo, Puśki, Zyabki, Lepel District, Zastadollie, Braslau, Pastavy.
Return to the wider travel guide: Vitebsk Region.
