Top Historic Sights in Smalyany, Belarus
Explore the historic highlights of Smalyany
Smalyany Castle Ruins
Smalyany Castle was probably built before 1626 by the order of Duke S. A. Sangushka. It took part to the several battles in the war with Russia (1654-1667) and in Great Northern War (1700-1721). The castle consisted of inner court and 3-4 corner towers. They buildings had three storeys. The decline of Smalyany castle began in the mid-18th century. Today ruins with embossed decorum have survived.Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings
Historic Site of the week
Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre
Built around AD 90 to entertain the legionaries stationed at the fort of Caerleon (Isca), the impressive amphitheatre was the Roman equivalent of today’s multiplex cinema. Wooden benches provided seating for up to 6,000 spectators, who would gather to watch bloodthirsty displays featuring gladiatorial combat and exotic wild animals.
Long after the Romans left, the amphitheatre took on a new life in Arthurian legend. Geoffrey of Monmouth, the somewhat imaginative 12th-century scholar, wrote in his History of the Kings of Britain that Arthur was crowned in Caerleon and that the ruined amphitheatre was actually the remains of King Arthur’s Round Table.
Today it is the most complete Roman amphitheatre in Britain.