Smilavičy (Belarusian: Смілавічы; also commonly known as Smilovichi, a transliteration of the Russian: Смиловичи) is a town of 5,000 people (2017) in Minsk voblasć.

Understand

Moniuszko Smilovichi palace

Smilavičy is best known for being the birthplace of painters Chaïm Soutine and Schraga Zarfin.

Apart from Belarusians, Jews and Tatars traditionally lived in Smilovichi. Most Jews died during World War II or moved to other places, including the United States and Israel.

Tatars settled in Smilovichi more than 600 years ago. The first known mosque in the town operated in the 1880s. In 1930 it was destroyed. The modern Tatar community in Smilovichi has more than a hundred families.

In the post-war period, people from Bashkortostan also live in Smilovichi due to the construction of the felt and felt industry.

Get in

It is on the Minsk - Mogilev highway 27 km east of Minsk, 30 km west of Cherven, and 21 km from Rudensk railway station.

See

• Black pines are a botanical natural monument of national importance
• 1 Moniuszko Smilovichi palace complex (Палацава-паркавы комплекс Манюшкаў). Built in the 19th and early 20th century, the palace and park complex of Moniuszko includes two palaces, a number of buildings, a landscape park (partially preserved).  
• Smilavičy Park (Смілавіцкі парк). A 3-hectare with valuable exotic tree species, including two black pines. 

Orthodox Church of St. George

• 2 Orthodox Church of St. George (Свята-Георгіеўская царква). A brick Orthodox church, 2014.  
• 3 Smilovichi Mosque. This mosque was opened in 1996. The building is constructed of white brick, which is crowned with a crescent dome.  
• Museum "Space Chaim Soutine"
• Old Jewish cemetery
• Tatar cemetery
• Second World War Cemetery