Gomel (Гомель), Belarus

The Belarus National Bank Building in Gomel
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gomel_-_National_Bank.JPG
Author: Andrei Suslov


Gomel (Belarusian/Russian: Гомель) is a city in southeastern Belarus. It is also written as Homiel and Homel. Located on the right bank of the River Sozh, Gomel covers 121 sq km (46.7 sq mi) and has a population of 485,000 people (2011 estimate).

Gomel was founded by Slavic tribes around the end of the 9th century. The site was ideal because of the canyon that provided a natural defence. The town was first mentioned in writing in the Hypatian Codex in 1142.

Rule over Gomel passed to different rulers over the centuries. It was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1335. In 1483 it came under the rule of the Grand Duchy of Moscow until recaptured by Lithuania in 1535. In 1569, when Poland and Lithuania formed a union, it became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. At the end of the 18th century, the weakened Commonwealth was partitioned among Russia, Prussia and Austria. Gomel became part of the Russian Empire and eventually a city within an independent Belarus.

Visiting Gomel

You can reach Gomel by train from Minsk, Kiev and Moscow.

The Andrei Gromyko Memorial in Gomel
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gromyko_statue_in_Gomel.JPG
Author: Andrei Suslov

Sights & Attractions in Gomel