Belarus or White Russia

The origin of the name of the city is associated with the river Menka, which flows into Ptich near the city. People's tradition connects it with the epic hero Meinesk. In another interpretation, the name "Minsk" comes from the word "mena", because ostensibly in ancient times, on the site of the present city, there was a barter point - the trading market, which caused the city that emerged here to be called first Mensky, Men's'k, and then Minsk. The first chronicle mention of Minsk as the city of the Polotsk principality dates back to 1067 in connection with the fierce battle that took place on the Nemiga River.