Zhytkavichy District brings together the landscapes of the Pripyat Polesye with archaeological and ecclesiastical heritage in Turov. Pripyatski National Park also includes areas within the district. Exploring the area means encountering both a diverse natural environment and a long local history.

Landscapes of the Pripyat Polesye

The district lies in the Pripyat Polesye, part of the Polesian Lowland. Its landscapes include floodplain terraces and meadows, as well as pine, pine-deciduous and oak forests. Forests cover 56.3 percent of the area; conifers and black alder are the main types of trees. Rivers, lakes and artificial bodies of water account for 13.9 percent. Lowland meadows cover around ten percent of the area, while peatlands are reported to account for five to ten percent.

These proportions show that forests are not the only defining feature of the landscape: bodies of water, floodplains, meadows and peatlands are also part of the district’s character. Pripyatski National Park helps preserve the natural complex of the Pripyat Valley, as well as the landscapes and wildlife of the Belarusian Polesye.

Nature trails and birdwatching

One specific route is the Tsar Pine Eco-Trail in Pripyatski National Park. It is about 3.5 kilometres long, and the walk takes approximately two hours. Its main attraction is a pine tree more than 300 years old. The route’s length and approximate duration help you gauge the scope of this nature excursion; check trail conditions before setting out.

Conditions in the district are considered suitable for creating hiking, cycling, skiing and horse-riding routes. The Pripyat is navigable within the district. Birdwatching infrastructure has been created around Turov. The Turov Bird Ringing Station focuses on waders and other wetland birds and studies their breeding activity. The area’s natural attractions therefore include not only landscapes and trails, but also wetland birdlife.

Turov: archaeology, churches and museums

In Turov, archaeological heritage ranges from a named monument to specific excavation findings. Zamchishcha is an archaeological monument dating to the 12th century. Excavations at Turov Gorodishche uncovered remains of 35 buildings, including 24 residential structures. The cultural layer there dates from the 10th to the 20th century. The building remains and the cultural layer’s broad timespan offer two different measures of the site’s historical depth.

The wooden Church of All Saints was built in 1810 and is considered a monument of traditional Belarusian wooden architecture. Another ecclesiastical landmark is the Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Lavrentiy of Turov, which opened in 2013. The two buildings represent different periods and architectural forms.

The museums also offer distinct perspectives. The Turov Museum of Local History collections include everyday objects, natural history specimens, numismatic and archaeological items, and documents. The Turov Nature Museum opened in 1998 to showcase the natural environment of Turov and Zhytkavichy District. Its cultural history collections are complemented by a dedicated focus on the region’s natural environment.

Choose a holiday apartment to suit your travel interests

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Zhytkavichy District, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: would you like to explore the landscapes and birdlife, or make Turov’s archaeological and ecclesiastical history the centrepiece of your trip? Compare the locations of available accommodation with the places you actually plan to visit.

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Back to the overview of destinations in the region: Homel Region.