Krychaw
Town in Mogilev Region, Belarus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Krychaw
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10.JPG) Saint Nicholas Church | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Krychaw | |
| Coordinates: 53°43′10″N 31°42′50″E | |
| Country | Belarus |
| Region | Mogilev Region |
| District | Krychaw District |
| First mentioned | 1136 |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.7 km2 (4.1 sq mi) |
| Population (2025)[1] | |
• Total | 22,973 |
| • Density | 2,150/km2 (5,560/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (MSK) |
| Postal code | 213491-213496, 213498, 213500 |
| Area code | +375 1771 |
| License plate | 6 |
| Website | Official website |
History
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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.
