Mahilyow, or Mahileu (Belarusian: Магілёў; Russian: Могилёв (Mogilyov), Polish Mohylew or Mogilew) is a city in the eastern Belarus, close to the border to Russia with about 300,000 inhabitants. It is the centre of Mahilyow voblast and the third largest city in Belarus.

History

The city was founded in 1267. Since 14th century a part of Lithuania, after the Union of Lublin transferred to Poland. The city flourished as one of the main nodes of the east-west and north-south trading routes. In 1577 king Stefan Batory granted it with city rights. After the First Partition of Poland it was annexed by Imperial Russia and was the center of the Mogilev guberniya. In years 1915-1917, during WWI, the headquarters of the Russian army functioned in the city. In 1918 occupied by Germany and transferred to the short-lived Belarusian National Republic. In 1919 captured by the forces of Bolshevist Russia and incorporated into Byelorussian SSR. Between 1941 and 1944 under German occupation. Since Belarus gaining its independence in 1991 Mahilyow remains one of its principal cities.

It was the birthplace of the physicist Leonid Isaakovich Mandelshtam and of the mathematician Issai Schur.

Economy

Mahilyov is one of the main economical and industrial centres of Belarus. After World War II a huge metallurgy centre with several major steel mills was built. Also, there are several major factories of cranes, cars, tractors and a chemical plant. The city is home to a major inland port at the Dnieper river and a domestic airport.

Facts

• Location:
• Population: 356,500 (census of 02/14/1999)

Sites of interest

• 18th century Revelation Orthodox Church and Monastery
• St. Nicholas' Church (17th century)

External links

• Coat of Arms
• Photos on Radzima.org
• Mahilyow City Executive Committee