Cultural heritage will not be affected by the creation of infrastructure in the historical districts of Polotsk

May 2, Polotsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Architectural and historical values will not be affected by the implementation of the concept for creating infrastructure in the historical districts of Polotsk. The Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, expressed confidence in this at a working meeting today, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. During the discussion of the concept, it was expressed that the planned restoration of ponds that once existed near the Spaso-Yefrosinievsky Monastery and the associated raising of the water level in the Polota River by 70 cm could increase humidity in the area, which would affect the condition of the 12th-century frescoes in the Transfiguration Church. According to hydrologists, this viewpoint is unfounded, and a slight rise in the water level in the river, located about 500 meters from the monastery, will not increase humidity or alter the microclimate of the territory in any way. The governor instructed the regional center for hydrometeorology to conduct all necessary calculations and share them with the general public. Answering a question from a BELTA correspondent, Alexander Kosinets said that the concept for the development of infrastructure in the historical districts of Polotsk had been discussed in all labor collectives of the city, at meetings of the city executive committee and city council, and at a meeting of the regional executive committee. "There were comments on the project, but no objections," the governor emphasized. The comments have been taken into account in the final version of the concept project. In addition, it was reviewed by specialists from the National Academy of Sciences. Publications in the media also allowed all interested citizens to familiarize themselves with the concept. Natalia Kosabuko, director of the Vitebskgrazhdanproekt institute, the developer of the architectural project, added that before the project is submitted for state expertise, in accordance with the law, the client of the work, namely the public utility enterprise "ZHKH Polotska," will submit it for public discussion. It is expected that the project for the improvement of the Polota River embankment will be the first to receive public evaluation. As Alexander Kosinets noted, the implementation of the concept is aimed at attracting tourists to Polotsk and creating favorable living conditions for the townspeople. Its implementation will require Br2 trillion. The authorities intend to widely attract investors to this process. The work is planned to be completed in 2015. "Polotsk is the center of Europe, it should match the level of a modern European city," the governor emphasized. The concept for the development of infrastructure in the historical districts of Polotsk, based on established traditions and in accordance with its functional historical purpose, envisages the development of three main types of tourism: the Spaso-Yefrosinievsky Monastery with the adjacent territory for pilgrimage tourism; the park of culture and recreation on the left bank of the Western Dvina River for recreational tourism; the Upper Castle district and St. Sophia Cathedral for historical tourism. In particular, in the area of the Spaso-Yefrosinievsky Monastery, it is planned to equip the vacant territories adjacent to the monastery with tourist infrastructure facilities. On an area of 30.2 hectares, the construction and reconstruction of a hotel complex, shopping arcades with souvenirs, craft workshops, a trade and exhibition complex, a spiritual and educational center, and a travel agency are planned. St. Sophia Cathedral is located in the Upper Castle. This is an archaeological, administrative, spiritual, and secular center of the city with a total area of about 9 hectares. The ensemble development of the Upper Castle territory involves a comprehensive approach – the restoration of existing and reconstruction of lost buildings, including archaeological research. The placement of catering facilities, retail outlets, consumer services, accommodation for tourists, and the museification of archaeological sites are planned here. The concept provides for the creation of a system of ponds that existed at the monastery, as well as the clearing of the Polota Riverbed, which will allow for the organization of water tourist routes connecting two unique historical sites: the Spaso-Yefrosinievsky Monastery and St. Sophia Cathedral. The concept for the development of infrastructure in the historical districts of Polotsk has been approved by the President of Belarus. -0-