Iziaslav

Iziaslav, historically Zaslav, stands on the Horyn in eastern Volhynia. It grew from two neighbouring towns, Old Zaslav, recorded in 1386, and New Zaslav, founded in the sixteenth century. Castles, churches and noble residences marked its place among the estates of the great princely families.

The Ostrogski princes held Zaslav from the fourteenth century; a branch of the family took the name Zasławski from the town. In 1673 it passed to the Sanguszko family. After the partitions of Poland the town became part of the Russian Empire and served briefly as the centre of a vicegerency before becoming a district town in Volhynia in the late eighteenth century. Its old fortifications and churches recall the authority and patronage of its successive owners.