Travel Guide Orsha (Орша)

The city of Orsha is one of the oldest in Belarus. Attached to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1310, it had tragic moments in its history. In 1514, the Russian, Polish and Lithuanian armies clashed with power in the region. In 1667, after fierce fighting against the Russian army, Poland returned to the miserable city. The situation worsened during Napoleon's campaign in 1812: Orsha is completely shaved. The city incorporates the Soviet Socialist Republic of Belarus in 1922. Known for its strong resistance movement, thousands of inhabitants died in the concentration camps around Orsha under Nazi occupation between 1941 and 1944. Today, the city is an important economic centre in the country with the largest flax production facility in the country and a port on the Dnieper.Orsha is 80 km from Vitebsk. Two buses from Minsk (3 hours drive) and several Vitebsk buses (about 1 hours drive). By car, follow the E 30 and then take the P 15.