Upper Castle

The upper castle is one of the important sights of the ancient city. From the middle of the IX century until the XVIII century it was the administrative and cultural center of Polotsk. In the XVIII century there was a residence of bishops, earlier - lived voivodes, city nobility and monasteries.

Until a certain time, the fortified Upper Castle, surrounded by a rampart, provided protection for the city in case of war. Later this function was taken over by other fortifications of the city.

A dense courtyard and manor building was, according to the results of excavations, in the northeastern part of the castle. The ancient defensive rampart (XI century) divided the settlements of artisans and nobility and clergy. There were also wooden walls and towers (in the XVI century - nine, and in the XVII century - ten). Studies have shown that this part of the castle was built regularly. However, with the construction of the town hall, the Upper Castle gradually lost the function of the administrative center of the city.

Although the walls and towers have not survived to this day, the Upper Castle as a tourist site is given great value by the St. Sophia Cathedral and the monument of writing of the XII century Borisov stone.