Molodechno Region

Molodechno (Maladzechna) is a town in Belarus, in the northwestern part of the Minsk region. It is located in the Usha River valley, 75 kilometers from Minsk and 110 kilometers from Vilnius. Molodechno is the 17th most populous city in Belarus. It is a major industrial center of the Minsk region and the most important railway hub of the country.

Molodechno: Origin of the name

Molodechno (Belarus) is one of the ancient towns of the country. According to written documents, it was founded as early as the end of the 14th century. The town received its name from the local Molodechanka. On its banks (at the confluence with the Usha) was once built a powerful fortification. Today you can no longer walk along the banks of the river. In the middle of the XX century the Molodechanka was driven into the underground tunnel.

The toponym "Molodechno" itself, according to one version, comes from the word "Molodeots". In ancient Rus times it was the way the soldiers of the princely squad were called. According to other theories, the roots of the word are Polish.