Kreva


Kreva is an agrotown in Smarhon District, Grodno Region, Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Krevas selsoviet.
The first mention dates to the 13th century. The toponym is derived from the name of the Krivichs tribe.

History

Kreva has historically been part of the Lithuanian ethnic lands. Some chronicles from the 13th century associate it with the Baltic land of Nalšia and even describe it as one of that land’s main centers. In 1263 Nalšia was ruled by Daumantas, but after the assassination of King Mindaugas he left the region and moved to Pskov. Soon after, Vaišvilkas took control of Nalšia, including Kreva, and incorporated it into Lithuania. Kreva later became the seat of a smaller duchy within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Around the late 13th or early 14th century, a stone castle was likely built there to replace an earlier wooden fortress. The Kreva Castle, built of brick and stone, dates from the early-mid 14th century and was likely commissioned under Grand Duke Gediminas. In 1338, Gediminas granted the duchy to his son Algirdas. After Algirdas’ death, it passed to Jogaila, and later to his brother Vygantas.
In 1382, the Grand Duke Kęstutis was imprisoned in Kreva during the Lithuanian Civil War and subsequently murdered on the order by his nephew Jogaila. In 1385, the Union of Krewo was signed in Kreva. In 1387, following the Christianization of Lithuania, the Grand Duke Jogaila established the first Catholic parish in the Lithuanian pagan lands and built a church which is now known as the Church of St. Mary.
The ruins of the castle were severely damaged during World War I, as they were near the front lines. They remain extant to the present day. Before World War II, 500 Jews lived in the village. After the German occupation of the town they were kept imprisoned in a ghetto and used as slave labourers in harsh conditions. They were deported in other ghettos in Vilnius and Ashmyany in 1942.

Notable people