Marriage of Svisloch and Menesk: the Legend of the Origin of Minsk

There are several legends about the origin of Minsk and the formation of the name of the city. One of these stories is the stiory of the daughter of Water by the name of Svisloch. Thanks to her unearthly beauty, the girl was a success among numerous admirers. Many, including Perun and Zhizhel, tried to match her father, but the beauty remained adamant. 

When it was time to give the daughter in marrige, Vodiany suggested that Svisloch had to choose his chosen one. To select the best, she devised various tests for the groom. In one of them she proposed to try a wedding cake made of stone. Since no one succeeded in this, Svisloch remained alone for a long time.

After all the grooms were frightened, the beauty was upset. Constant ridicule over those wishing to take her as a wife led to the fact that more of thoose did not remain among the divine creatures. Then Vodiany suggested that his daugher had to pay atention and try to find a chosen one among the people. If someone likes it, on this site promised to create a big city. 

The choice of Svisloch fell on brave, courageous and rich prince named Menesk. The beauty was amazed at his strengh and courage. Menesk did not try to crack the stone cake but used it for building a mill on the river.