| Chashniki | |
| Native Name: | |
| Native Name Lang: | be |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Flag Size: | 150 |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Belarus |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Pushpin Map: | Belarus |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Coordinates: | 54.8533°N 29.1647°W |
| Subdivision Name1: | Vitebsk Region |
| Subdivision Name2: | Chashniki District |
| Population Total: | 7,736 |
| Population As Of: | 2024 |
| Population Footnotes: | [1] |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 211149 |
| Area Code: | +375 2133 |
| Registration Plate: | 2 |
| Timezone: | MSK |
| Utc Offset: | +3 |
Chashniki (Belarusian: Чашнікі|Čašniki; Russian: Чашники; Polish: Czaśniki; Lithuanian: Čašnikai) is a town in Vitebsk Region, Belarus.[1] It serves as the administrative center of Chashniki District.[1] It is famous for the Battle of Ula during the Livonian War and the Battle of Chashniki that took place during the French invasion of Russia in 1812. In 2021, its population was 8,092.[2] As of 2024, it has a population of 7,736.[1]
It is believed that the term Chashniki comes from the Belarusian word, (Чашнік) which referred to an official who would pour drinks for the Lithuanian prince. Another possible etymology comes from the, which connects the name of the settlements to [in the] bowl.[3]
Chashniki is a historical settlement, formerly part of the Polish-Lithuanian Polotsk Voivodeship.
The town was formerly home to the Chashniki castle, which was erected during the Livonian War under order of Ivan the Terrible. It burned down during the Great Northern War during the advancement of Peter the Great's troops through the area.[4]
Chashniki has historically had 2 churches. The first was the, a baroque cathedral erected in the 17th century and was demolished by Soviet authorities in 1964. The second was the, an example of classicism established in 1843. It was restored in 2000.
Chashniki is located on the, a tributary of the Daugava.