A map of hidden gems has appeared in the Vitebsk region

October 19, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. A map of hidden gems has appeared in the Vitebsk region. Its presentation took place at an international scientific and practical conference dedicated to the results of the tripartite Sweden-Latvia-Belarus project "Panorama Dvina/Daugava," a BELTA correspondent reports. The authors of the map called attractions "gems" that are interesting from the perspective of cultural and educational tourism and are located on the ancient route "from the Varangians to the Greeks." So far, 51 objects are marked on the map, 46 of which are located in the Vitebsk region, and the rest are on the island of Gotland in Sweden and in the Latgale region (Latvia). In a brief annotation, one can learn what the geographical object is known for and how it is connected with the legendary history of Viking travels. For example, few people know that in the Braslav district there is a settlement and a fortified settlement of Maskovichi, which was once an outpost of the Principality of Polotsk on the border with the Balts. It was here that archaeologists found the largest number of Scandinavian runic inscriptions on bone outside of Scandinavia. And in the Rossony district, the Rognedinsky kurgan has been preserved; according to legend, it is here that the founder of the Polotsk-Scandinavian princely dynasty, Prince Rogvolod, the father of Rogneda, is buried. These and other attractions formed the basis of the unusual map-scheme of the "Panorama Dvina/Daugava" region. The idea of creating a map of hidden gems belongs to the Swedish participants of the project. It arose after their first acquaintance with the Vitebsk region. "This is basic information for those who are simply interested in the history of their native region and plan to follow the ancient route, which was recently included in the European cultural projects," said Tatyana Lapina, manager of the information and consulting association "Vitebsk City and Company," the developer of the map-scheme. The Swedish-Belarusian-Latvian project "Panorama Dvina/Daugava" started in 2005. Its main goal was to promote tourism development in the region united by the Western Dvina River. Representatives from the island of Gotland (Sweden) and the cities of Daugavpils (Latvia), Polotsk, Vitebsk, and Disna took part in "Panorama." -0-