It is located 51 kilometres (32 mi) west-southwest of Vitebsk on the railway line between Orsha and Lyepyel.

[1] In the early 16th century, the small village was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania ruled by the Drucki-Sokoliński princes.

At that time, new stone houses were built and trade fairs were held semiannually, frequented by 4 to 5 thousand visitors from Belarus, Russia and abroad.

[2] During the Second World War, Beshankovichy was under German military occupation from 6 July 1941 until 25 June 1944, and was almost entirely destroyed.

[4] A resident at the time of the German occupation recalled, "One Jewish family that had not been taken to the ghetto was still living on my street.