Obal or Obol (; ) is an urban-type settlement in Shumilina District, Vitebsk Region, Belarus. It is located southeast of Polotsk. In 2024, it had a population of 2,114.
History.
Obal was known since the 16th century as a village in Połock Voivodeship within the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1772, following the Partitions of Poland, it became part of the Russian Empire. In 1866, the construction of the Riga-Oryol railway contributed to its growth.
During the Second World War, the settlement was under German military occupation from 8 July 1941 until June 1944. Prior to the German invasion, it had a Jewish population of several dozen people. About 10 or 15 Jews remained there at the start of the occupation, and they were placed in a local ghetto in late 1941. Several Jews died during the existence of the ghetto, which consisted of one house, and on 2 June 1942, the ghetto was liquidated, with the remaining six Jews being shot.
In 1968, the status of Obol was raised from village to urban-type settlement.
Geography.
Located in the center of Vitebsk Region, Obal lies between Vitebsk ( southeast) and Polotsk ( northwest), and is crossed by the Obal River. It is located from Shumilina, from Novopolotsk and from Minsk. The town is served by the P20 highway and by the Smolensk-Vitebsk-Daugavpils-Riga railway.
References.
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