The first written document of the Belarusan statehood goes far back as 980 AD when Prince Rogvold began his reign on Polotsk lands which are the historic and religious center of the Belarusan nation and culture. The formation of the features of Belarusan people began in special socioeconomic and political conditions of the Polotsk Principality.
  The young, fast growing state made close trade ties with German (Hansa) cities, with Scandinavia, neighboring eastern and southern principalities. On the Polotsk territory under the influence of local cultural views the traditions of Byzantine architecture were revaluated and as a result the outstanding Polotsk architecture school emerged in the 12th century.
  It greatly influenced the architecture of Smolensk and Vladimir-Suzdal principalities and later of the Moscow state.