Lyozna

Lyozna (Лёзна; Лиозно; Łoźna; Ljesno; ליאזנע) is an urban-type settlement in Vitebsk Region, Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Lyozna District. It is located close to the border with Russia by the Vitebsk-Smolensk railroad branch and highway, on the Moshna River. As of 2023, it has a population of 6,631.

History
The first known record of the Lyozna shtetl (small town with a high Jewish population) is dated 1654.

In 1939, 711 Jews lived in the settlement, making up 17.3 percent of the population.

During the German invasion of the Soviet Union, the settlement was captured on 16 July 1941 by V Army Corps of the 9th Army; it was part of Army Group Centre Rear Area. Lyozna was under German occupation until 8 October 1943.

Notable people

 * Marc Chagall, Belarusian-French painter
 * Schneur Zalman, the first Rebbe of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic dynasty
 * Dovber Schneuri, the second Rebbe of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic dynasty
 * Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, the third Rebbe of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic dynasty