Jesuit College in Polotsk was founded in the XVI century during the reign of Stefan Batory. Polotsk - traditionally Orthodox city was captured during the war Lithuania in 1579. To approve it Catholicism - the basic belief of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the king turned to the Jesuit clergy asking to establish a monastery in Polotsk, and Collegium.

In 1580 Collegium was consecrated. From this point of Polotsk it turns into a major European religious and educational center. In addition to religious subjects, are taught secular subjects: rhetoric, languages, music, ancient literature.

Despite the fact that Polotsk was a bone of contention between Russia and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, despite the repeated destruction and fires, collegium grew and developed, otstraivaya every time better and more beautiful. In the XVII century in the Collegium it has operated a library, an art gallery, a pharmacy, a charity hospital, theater acting and Printing House.

In 1777, Catherine II, known for its sympathies to the Jesuits, a special decree allowed to open in Polotsk Catholic novitiate. After the banning of the Jesuit order in Europe, it becomes a kind of Polotsk Jesuit capital. Here come the prominent scientists and religious figures.

In 1812, by decree of Emperor Alexander I of Polotsk Jesuit College was transformed into the Academy. In 1820, due to concerns of the authorities Jesuit missionary activities in the territory of the Russian Empire Academy was closed, and the Jesuits expelled from Russia.

In the XIX century in the walls of the former Jesuit College, first higher school located Polotsk, then Polotsk Cadet Corps. In Soviet times he acted military hospital. Since 2005, the former Jesuit College settled two faculties of Polotsk State University: History and Philology and Information Technology.