Braslaǔ

Braslau (Braslav, Braslaw, Belarusian: Браслаў) is a town in Vitebsk Oblast, Belarus. It has some nice old buildings to see, but primarily, from the touristic point of view, it's the gateway to Braslau Lakes national park.

Braslau is a town of about 10,000 inhabitants, surrounded by lakes and near the border tri-point with Latvia and Lithuania. The history of the town begins in 1065 when a border fortress was set up here by the Principality of Polotsk. The area has been part of many countries and empires during times, for example the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Russian Empire.

The town doesn't have an airport or railway connection, thus you will get in by road. If driving in from Daugavpils, this is the first major city after the border.

Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Using stones and bricks together is frequent in the old local buildings.

• 🌍 Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. A fine 19th-century church in Romanesque revival style. 

• Braslav Lakes National Park. Made up of some 300 lakes and 100 islands around the city. (updated Sep 2020)