Kapyl

Kapyl(Belarusian:Капыль,romanized:Kapyĺ;Russian:Копыль,romanized:Kopyl;Polish:Kopyl;Lithuanian:Kapylius;Yiddish:קאפּוליע) is a town inMinsk Region,Belarus.It serves as the administrative center ofKapyl District.It is located 34 kilometers (21 mi) west-northwest ofSlutskand 90 kilometers (56 mi) south-southwest of the capitalMinsk.In 2009, its estimated population was 9,900 based on the provisional figures from the 2009 census.As of 2024, it has a population of 9,985.

Kapyl Капыль(Belarusian) Копыль(Russian) Kopyl
Town
Flag Coat of arms
Kapyl Location in Belarus
Coordinates:53°09′0″N27°05′30″E
Country	Belarus
Region	Minsk Region
District	Kapyl District
First mentioned	1274
Population (2024)
• Total	9,985
Time zone	UTC+3(MSK)
Postal code	223 910, 223 927
Area code	+375 1719
License plate	5

History

Kapyl, first mentioned in 1274,was a walled town that was noteworthy by the 14th century, and is listed in the atlas ofOrteliusof 1574.During the 14th century the town was part of theGrand Duchy of Lithuania.In 1395 it came into the possession of PrinceVladimir Olgerdovichand his heirs, theOlelkovichfamily, where it remained until 1612. Kapyl was part of the dowry ofZofia Olelkowicz Słuckaand was one of the seven fortified towns left to her husbandJanusz Radziwillupon her death in 1612. Kapyl was attacked by theTatarsnumerous times and was sacked on at least one occasion during the 16th century.

On August 27, 1652, Kapyl received theMagdeburg Lawand gained its own seal, a coat of arms depicting a hunting horn on a gold field. With this privilege came the right to hold fairs and weekly auctions. During the 16th century weaving became established in the town, including the production of velvet. Six guilds came into existence as a result of the growth of the weaving industry.

After theSecond Partition of Polandin 1793 Kapyl became part of theRussian Empire.From 1832 it became a personal holding ofPrince Wittgenstein.During the 19th century local businesses included a brewery, 2 water mills, and 6 shops. Other local institutions included 3 schools, churches (including aCalvinistchurch), and 2 Jewishsynagogues.

Towards the end of the 19th century Kapyl had over 350 houses and over 2000 inhabitants. At that time a majority of the town's population was Jewish.By 1900 the Jewish population was 2,671.

In 1924, Kapyl became the capital city of the Kapyl District.

DuringWorld War IIthe Slutsk-Kapyl area was the subject of a German military operation code-named Erntefest II (Harvest Festival) which ended in February 1943. Although ostensibly aimed at suppressing the activities of Soviet partisans in the area the operation resulted in the deaths of 2,325 of the local inhabitants (against the loss of six German soldiers), which can only be characterized as a campaign of genocide and terror.

One of Kapyl district's major architectural monuments is a 19th-century church in the town itself.

Notable people

• Abraham Jacob Paperna,educator and author
• Mendele Mocher Sforim,author
• Renald Knysh,gymnastics coach
• Zmicier Zhylunovich,writer and political leader

Sister cities

• Joniškis,Lithuania

See also

• List of towns with German town law

Further reading

• Geographical Dictionary of Polish Kingdom and other Slavic countries (in Polish), vol 4, edited by F. Sulimirskiego, B. Chlebowski, W. Walewski, Warsaw 1883, pp 386-387.

External links

• Media related toKapylat Wikimedia Commons
• Kapyl, BelarusatJewishGen
• Kapyl District at Treklens
• Kopyl raion pageat MinskOblispolkomwebsite
• Rodoh Forum: Major Antipartisan Operations in Belorussia
• Kopyl Region Executive Committee
• Belarus City Population