Vitebsk is one of the oldest city of Belarus, first time mentioned in the XIIth century during the war between Kiev and Polotsk.

Vitebsk's fortifications were formed since the XIIIth till the XIVth century.

In 1320 Vitebsk was included into structure of Lithuania.

During the Northern War (Sweden against Russia and Poland) Vitebsk was burnt down almost completely - survived only 118 people out of 170000, and was savagely razed in the II World War.

Today Vitebsk is a large industrial town -real professionals are making machine-building, construction materials, food and the light industries, production of TV.