Bystryca

Bystryca is the village of Astravyets district, Grodno region of Belarus. It is located quite close to the border of Belarus and Lithuania. The village is picturesquely situated on the banks of Vilia. Also here a small but fast river (so it is called Bystryca) flows in Vilija. The Bystryca village is one of the oldest settlements in Belarus.

Bystryca

In 1390 Vladislav II Jagiello founded in Bystryca one of the first in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania catholic churches and invited monks - Canons Regular. In the middle of the XVIII century it was decided to rebuild the wooden church existed here before. To do this architect Glaubitz was invited in Bystryca. In 1760 (according to other sources in 1761), temple of the Holy Cross was appeared in the Bystryca.

In the early twentieth century Bystryca was already quite a big village. There was a large market square, departed from it three streets, was an inn, shops, once in the year four fairs was held. Besides, mill was remained in Bystryca. Now Bystryca is a small quiet village in the border area.