Krychaw

Krychaw
Крычаў (Belarusian)
Кричев (Russian)
Saint Nicholas Church
Krychaw
Coordinates: 53°43′10″N 31°42′50″E / 53.71944°N 31.71389°E / 53.71944; 31.71389
CountryBelarus
RegionMogilev Region
DistrictKrychaw District
First mentioned1136
Area
 • Total
10.7 km2 (4.1 sq mi)
Population
 (2025)[1]
 • Total
22,973
 • Density2,150/km2 (5,560/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+3 (MSK)
Postal code
213491-213496, 213498, 213500
Area code+375 1771
License plate6
WebsiteOfficial website

Krychaw or Krichev (Belarusian: Крычаў, romanizedKryčaŭ, IPA: [ˈkrɨtʂau̯]; Russian: Кричев, IPA: [ˈkrʲitɕɪf], Polish: Krzyczew) is a town in Mogilev Region, in eastern Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Krychaw District.[1] It is situated on the Sozh River. In 2009, its population was 27,202.[2] As of 2025, it has a population of 22,973.[1]

History

Krychaw is first mentioned in chronicles under the year 1136. In the Middle Ages, it was part of the Principality of Smolensk and Grand Duchy of Lithuania.[3] In 1440, Casimir IV Jagiellon granted it to Prince Lengvenis.[3] During the Lithuanian–Muscovite War of 1507–1508, Stanisław Kiszka defeated Muscovite invaders there in 1507.[3] In 1535, it was burned down by Muscovite invaders.[3] Afterwards it was quickly rebuilt being vested with various royal privileges, especially by King Władysław IV Vasa in 1634 and 1637.[3] The privileges were confirmed by King John II Casimir Vasa in 1650, and further Kings afterwards.[3] During the Polish–Russian War of 1654–1667, in 1664, it was the place of a battle between the Poles and the Russian invaders.[3] King Charles XII of Sweden stopped in the town following his defeat in the Battle of Poltava during the Great Northern War.[3]

During World War II, the town was occupied by Nazi Germany from July 1941 to September 1943. The occupiers operated a prison forced labour camp in the town.[4]

The Soviet Air Force Krichev Air Base was located east of Krychaw during the Cold War.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Численность населения на 1 января 2025 г. и среднегодовая численность населения за 2024 год по Республике Беларусь в разрезе областей, районов, городов, поселков городского типа". belsat.gov.by. Archived from the original on 29 March 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  2. ^ "Численность населения областей и районов: Могилевская ("The population of the regions and districts: Mogilev")" (PDF) (in Russian). Национальный статистический комитет Республики Беларусь (National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 18, 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Słownik geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i innych krajów słowiańskich (in Polish). Vol. IV. Warszawa. 1883. p. 793.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ "Haftarbeitslager Krycau". Bundesarchiv.de (in German). Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  • Media related to Krychaw at Wikimedia Commons
  • Kryčaŭ - travel guide - photos and attractions at Radzima.org
  • History of Krychaw in old photographs at Krichev.gov.by