Pastavy

Sister cities

• Wejherowo

History

Pastavy has several historic buildings including 18th-century houses and 19th-century church. In 2009, Pastavy celebrated its 600th anniversary. Within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Pastavy was part of Vilnius Voivodeship. In 1793, Pastavy was acquired by the Russian Empire as a result of the Second Partition of Poland. From 1921 until 1939, Pastavy was part of the Second Polish Republic. In the 1921 census, 43.3% people declared Polish nationality, 34.8% declared Jewish nationality, and 21.7% declared Belarusian nationality. In September 1939, the town was occupied by the Red Army and, on 14 November 1939, incorporated into the Byelorussian SSR. From 6 July 1941 until 5 July 1944, Pastavy was occupied by Nazi Germany and administered as a part of Generalbezirk Weißruthenien of Reichskommissariat Ostland.