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Orsza

Orsha
Орша
Orsha city
Orsha city
Flag of Orsha
Flag
Coat of arms of Orsha
Coat of arms
Orsha is located in Belarus
Orsha
Orsha
Coordinates: 54°30′33″N 30°25′33″E / 54.50917°N 30.42583°E / 54.50917; 30.42583Coordinates: 54°30′33″N 30°25′33″E / 54.50917°N 30.42583°E / 54.50917; 30.42583
[[List of sovereign states|Co

|population_total = 117,225 |population_density_km2 = auto |timezone = EET

|utc_offset = +2untry]]
 Belarus
Voblast Vitebsk Region
Raion Orsha Raion
Mentioned 1067
Area
 • Total 38.90 km2 (15.02 sq mi)
Elevation 192 m (630 ft)
Postal code 211030, 211381 - 211394, 211396 - 211398
Area code(s) +375 216
License plate 2
Website Official website

|population_total = 117,225 |population_density_km2 = auto |timezone = EET

Orsha (Belarusian: О́рша, Ворша; Russian: О́рша Russian pronunciation: [ˈorʂə]; Lithuanian: Orša, Polish: Orsza) is a city in Belarus in Vitebsk Region on the fork of the Dnieper and Arshytsa rivers.

Orsha was first mentioned in 1067 as Rsha, making it one of the oldest towns in Belarus. The town was named after the river, which was originally also named Rsha, probably from a Baltic root *rus 'slowly flowing.'

In 1320, Orsha became a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In 1398-1407, the Orsha castle was built. On September 8, 1514 the famous Battle of Orsha occurred, between allied Grand Duchy of Lithuania with Kingdom of Poland and Muscovite army. The Muscovites suffered significant defeat; however, the victorious Grand Duchy of Lithuania did not fully avail its victory.

In 1555, Mikołaj "the Black" Radziwiłł founded a Calvinist (Protestant) order in Orsha, one of the first in the Belarusian lands. From the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries Orsha was a notable religious centre, with dozens of Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic churches and orders. The town was also home to a large Jewish population.


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