Red Russia

Sources from old books

1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child.

RED RUSSIA, Russia Rubra.

This Province is extended from the Frontiers of Lithuania, as far as the Mouth of the Nieper in the Black Sea; which River separates it from Moscovy on the East, as likewise do the Mountains of Krempach from Hungary on the West. The Country is extremely fruitful in Corn, and is divided into 7 parts, viz. the Palatinates of Red-Russia, Podolia, Volhinia, Bracklaw, Kiow, (these two last form the Ʋkraine) Belsko and Chelm.

Red-Russia, divided into 7 Parts or Palatinates.

• 1. The Palatinate of Russia, properly so call'd, in which are these Towns, viz.
  • Leopol, Arch-B. Cap.
  • Premislaw, Bish.
  • ...Halitz.
  • ...Sanoch.
  • ...Busch.
  • ...Olesko.
  • ...Brodi.
  • Zborow, Dutchy.
  • ...Zamoski.
  • ...Grabowick.
  • ...Lubazow.
  • ...Jarassaw.
  • ...Przoworsk.
  • ...Zidaczow.
  • ...Clomei.
  • ...Snyatin.
• 2. The Palatinate of Podolia, in which are,
  • Camieniec, Bish.
  • ...Trembowla.
  • ...Latiiczow.
  • ...Zvanieck.
  • ...Oliczo.
  • ...Tarnapol.
  • Zbaras, Dutchy.
  • ...Bar.
  • ...Kalius.
  • ...Ʋsiatin.
  • ...Chmielnki.
• 3. The Palatinate of Volhinia, in which are,
  • Lutzko or Luzuk, Bish.
  • ...Woldzimiers.
  • ...Kyzemieniec.
  • ...Beresteko.
  • ...Constantinow.
  • Zaslaw, Dutchies.
  • Ostrog, Dutchies.
  • ...Alexandria.
  • ...Derdikzow.
  • ...Zitomierz.
  • ...Baronowka.
• 4. The Palatinate of Braclaw, or the Lower Podolia, in which are.
  • ...Braclaw.
  • ...Brailow.
  • ...Vinnicza.
  • ...Kalnick.
  • ...Rascow.
  • ...Orthow.
  • ...Komecpol.
  • ...Human.
  • ...Targowic.
  • ...Chriekiesmi.
• 5. The Palatinate of Kiovia, in which are,
  • Kiow, C. Bish. to the Moscovites,
  • ...Bialogrodko.
  • ...Radomisl.
  • ...Czernobel.
  • ...Owrucho.
  • ...Louvogrod.
  • ...Pereslaw.
  • ...Kaniow.
  • ...Dassain.
  • ...Bialacerkiow.
• 6. The Palatinate of Belsko, in which are.
  • Belsko, Cap.
  • ...Busc.
  • ...Grodlow.
  • ...Grabow.
  • Zamoski, Princ.
  • ...Sozal.
  • ...Mosfy.
  • ...Magierow.
  • ...Tysowec.
• 7. The Palatinate of Chelm, in which are,
  • Chelm, Cap.
  • Kranostaw, Bish.
  • ...Winnic.
  • ...Ratno.
  • ...Lubomlo.
  • ...Turisk.
  • ...Dubna.

LEOPOL, Leopolis called Lwow, or Luwow by the Polanders, and Lemburg or Russe-Lemburg by the Germans, is the Metropolis of Red-Russia, and stands amidst the Hills on the banks of the River Peltaw, at the distance of 15 Polish Miles from Mount-Krempak to the North, and as many from Premiflaw to the East, as also 30 from Caminiec, 40 from Cracow, and about 50 from Warsaw to the South-East. It is a large City well fortified with two Castles, viz. one erected within the Walls, and the other without, on a rising Ground that commands the Town, which was first founded by Leo Duke of Russia, who flourish'd about A. D. 1280. The Metropolitan See of Halitz was translated hither, and the Arch-Bishop is both Spiritual and Temporal Lord of the Diocess. The Armenian Roman Catholicks are likewise govern'd by a Primate of their Church. They have inhabited here for a long time, and enjoy very great Privileges on the account of the considerable Commerce, which they maintain with the Persians and other Eastern People. A Russian Bishop depending on the Patriarch of Constantinople, resides in like manner in this City, and Michael Wisnowiski King of Poland died here A.D. 1673. The Cossacks under the Conduct of their General Chilnieck, laid Siege to Leopol, A. D. 1648, to no purpose, and the Turks made themselves Masters thereof in 1672, but it was soon after recover'd out of their hands.

CAMIENIECK, Camenecia, Camenecium aut Camenecum, is situated in the Confines of Valachia, on the Top of a Mountain, and is almost emcompass'd with the Smotrzick, which a little below falls into the Niester. The Citadel is likewise built on an adjacent Rock, and Commands the Town; its Avenue being cover'd with a Horn-work, which is separated from the Body of the Place by a deep Moat. It is distant 15 Polish Miles from Bar to the West, 30 from Leopol, or Lemburg, 36 from Jassy, 70 from Kiow, 80 from Warsaw, and about 170 from Constantinople. This strong City, which is the See of a Prelate Suffragan to the Arch-Bishop of Leopol, was very much ruin'd by a Fire which broke forth therein, A. D. 1669, and hath been often in vain attackt by the Turks and Tartars, until at length it fell into the hands of the former in 1672, and is still possess'd by those Infidels. It was blockt up by Motula, General of the Cossacks, in the Month of April 1687, and the Polanders made Preparations to join his Troops in September, but they were both oblig'd to retire upon the approach of the Ottoman Forces. Afterward another Blockade was form'd by the Polish Army in 1688, the next year they actually invested the Place, and began a formal Attack on the 20th Day of August, but the Siege was rais'd in September following.

LƲTZKO, Luceoria, the Metropolis of the Palatinate of Volhinia, stands on the banks of the River Ster, near a Lake which covers part of the Castle, scarcely 7 Polish Miles from the Frontiers of Red-Russia to th• East, and 25 from Leopol to the North-east. It is a large City, and bears the Title of an Episcopal See, under the Metropolitan of Gnesna, but is chiefly inhabited by Jews, Armenians, and other Eastern People that Traffick throughout these Countries.

BRACLAW, Braclavia is seated on the River Bog, 110 Miles from Camieniec to the East, 55 from Bar, and 50 from the Confines of Valachia to the North toward Kiow. It was taken and miserably laid waste by the Turks, A. D. 1672.

KIOW, Kijovia, Chiovia aut Kisovia, or Kiouf, according to the Pronunciation of the Inhabitants, is water'd by the Boristhenes or Nieper, and fortified with a Castle, Trench, and some other regular Works. But old Kiow was situated upon a Hill a little beyond the River, where are still to be seen the ruins of many Ar•hes▪ high Walls, Churches and burying places of divers Kings with Greek Inscriptions. Of the Churches, two remain in tolerable good Condition, viz. those of St. Sophia and St. Michael. The Walls of the former are lined with curious Mosaick-work, the Vault consisting of Earthen-pots well cemented and fill'd with Mortar, but St. Michaels's Church is chiefly remarkable for its gilded Roof. Indeed Kiow was heretofore a very large magnificent City, as it appears from the ruins of the Walls which are extended almost 8 Miles in compass, and a stately Church appertaining at present to a Grecian Arch-Bishop. It was at first founded by a certain Russian Prince, named Kius, A.C. 861. and constituted the Metropolis of Tauro-Scythia: Then it became the Seat of the Russian Empire, and was afterward govern'd by its own Princes. It was storm'd and pillag'd by the Tartars, A.D. 1615, and has ever since declin'd from its ancient Grandeur. It hath been also often taken and re-gain'd within the space of 30 Years, but now remains in the Possession of the Grand Duke of Moscovy, to whom it was lately pawn'd by the Cossacks. The Episcopal See of Kiow is subject to the Metropolitan of Leopol, and the City is distant 40 Polish Miles from the Frontiers of Moscovy to the West, 70 from Camieniec, and about 100 from Warsaw. About half a League from hence in the Village of Piecharre, stands a noble Monastery, the Residence of the Patriarch, and under the adjacent Mountain are divers Grotto's or Caverns dug like Mines, wherein are preserv'd a great number of Human Bodies still entire, that were buried very many years ago, being neither so black nor hard as Mummies; among these, two Princes in the same Habit they wore when living, are shewn to Travellers by the Russian Monks. The place where these Sepulchres are made, is a sandy Stone very dry, and seems to be of the same nature as the Catacombs at Rome.

BELZKO, Belzium, the principal Town of the Palatinate of the same name, is built altogether of Timber in the midst of the Marshes between Leopol and Zamoski, about 5 Miles from the River Bog.

CHELM, Chelma is a small Town defended with a Castle, the Out-works whereof are made of Wood, about 10 Miles from Lublin to the East, 24 from Premislaw to the North, and 12 from Belzko. It hath been sackt and burnt by the Moscovites and Tartars during the late Wars, and its Episcopal See under the Metropolitan of Leopol is translated to Cranostaw, a pleasant Town distant only 5 Miles from hence, and seated on the River Wiprecz; nevertheless an Oriental Bishop as yet resides at Chelm.