Gomel



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Gomel Oblast, the largest south-eastern region of Belarus, boasts unique natural, economic, and intellectual resources and represents a significant tourist attraction.

People began to inhabit the territory of Gomel Oblast in the Middle Paleolithic (100,000-40,000 years ago). Valid evidence on the presence of representatives of the species Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals) in the region was found near the villages of Podluzye, Chechersk District, Svetilovichi, Vetka District, and in the city of Gomel.

In the Upper Paleolithic (40,000-14,000 years ago), human activity expanded, as evidenced by the archaeological sites of Homo sapiens (Cro-Magnon man) near the villages of Novoselki in Vetka District (about 40,000 years ago), Yurovichi in Kalinkovichi District (about 27,000 years ago), Berdyzh in Chechersk District (about 24,000 years ago).
In the 9th-12th centuries, according to ancient sources, there were two East Slavic tribes – the Dregovichi and the Radimichi – in that is now Gomel Oblast. The Dregovichi lived between the Dnieper, the Berezina, and the Pripyat. At the end of the first millennium, they formed a tribal principality with the center in Turov.

Turov is the oldest city in Gomel Oblast, first mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years in 980.

The fact that Turov is one of the oldest centers of writing and chronicling is evidenced by a fragment of the Gospel of the 11th century, the oldest book in the territory of Belarus, found here in 1866.

Gomel is also one of the oldest cities in Belarus. For the first time Gomiy – this is the ancient name of Gomel – was mentioned in the Hypatian Chronicle in the year 1142. Around 1335 Gomel became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Thirteen districts of Gomel Oblast were seriously affected by the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Their revival and sustainable development are under the constant control of the Head of State. The President visits Chernobyl-hit areas every year. Thanks to a balanced and targeted rehabilitation strategy, these areas are getting a new lease of life and, what is more important, becoming attractive for investments.
There are many monuments of archeology, history, culture, and architecture in Gomel Oblast. The oblast boasts 26 museums (including two art galleries), six theater and entertainment organizations (including the Philharmonic Hall), and a circus.

The Palace of the Rumyantsevs and Paskeviches is one of the five most popular attractions in Belarus. The central part of the palace is an example of the late 18th century (1777-1796). Today the palace is not just a museum. It is also the venue of most important negotiations, signing ceremonies and other events, as Gomel is the cultural and scientific heart of the region, the center of international Slavic meetings.
Among other significant architectural monuments that are popular with residents and visitors of Gomel Oblast are the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Gomel, the Church of St. Archangel Michael of the 18th century in Mozyr, the Holy Assumption Cathedral of the 19th century and the Holy Trinity Church of the early 20th century in Rechitsa, and the Castle Hill in Turov.

Stone crosses are one of the sights of Polesye region. A legend has it that after the Christianization of Rus in the 10th century, these crosses were sent to Turov along the rivers Dnieper and Pripyat from Kiev. People saw the floating crosses and pulled them to the river bank. A total of 12 crosses were found, which corresponds to the number of the apostles. Four crosses have survived in Turov and its surroundings. Two are kept in the city, one in the Church of All Saints and the other in the courtyard of the Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Lavrenty of Turov. The third one is kept in the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in the village of Pogost, Zhitkovichi District. The most revered cross, known as the growing one, is kept near Turov, in the Borisoglebsky Cemetery.

The cemetery’s chapel houses the Icon of the Mother of God of Kazan, which sometimes streams myrrh (the last evidence dates to 4 August 2017).
Vetka, the town founded by old believers in 1685, attracts tourists as well. Vetka is home to one of the most interesting museums in Belarus – the Museum of Folk Arts (since 2012, the Vetka Museum of Old Believers and Belarusian Traditions named after Fyodor Shklyarov). It has a unique exhibition varying from ancient icons and books to original patterned towels. The museum offers the most complete view over the Neglubka weaving: towels with Indo-European and ancient Slavic characters.

The national festivals of folk humor Avtyuki and folk art Beraginya are widely known not only in Gomel Oblast, but also abroad.



The ICCT-2025 conference is organized under the support of the IEEE Russia Section, Communications Society Chapter (COM19)