Krichev

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Krychaw
Крычаў (Belarusian)
Кричев (Russian)
Town
Saint Nicholas Church
Saint Nicholas Church
Flag of Krychaw
Flag
Coat of arms of Krychaw
Coat of arms
Krychaw is located in Belarus
Krychaw
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, romanized: Kryčaŭ, 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

18th-century panorama

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. "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. 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.