Cities of Belarus: Minsk

The modern capital of Belarus, Minsk arose more than 900 years ago on the natural island at the merger of the Swisle and Nemigi rivers. The first mention of Minsk refers to 1067. From the beginning of the XII century, the city, as the center of the specific principality of Polotsk, acquires a large political and strategic role, and occupies a prominent place in the composition of the Grand Principality of Lithuanian and Commonwealth. For his centuries-old history, the city was destroyed many times and burned down her, but every time he restrained from the ruins. Almost all buildings in Minsk were destroyed by the retreat of the Nazis and were restored only after the end of the Great Patriotic War. Therefore, those few historical monuments of the capital, which have been preserved or were restored, first of all it is the upper city, Trinity and Rakovsky suburb, cause honored interest among the guests of Minsk.

Panorama of the historic center of Minsk
View of Trinity suburb and bridge over the river Svisloche
Victory Square

Attractions Minsk

The main historical sights of the capital are Trinity suburb – Intensively recoverable corner of ancient architecture, Upper city, Such, Collegium Jesuitov (XVIII B) and Church of Mary Magdalina (1847) on Freedom Square, Calvarian church (Cross), 1839-1841.) and the selected graveyard (1830 g) and chapel (1855 g), memorial Church of Alexander Nevsky At the military cemetery (built in 1896-98. In honor of the victory of our troops in the our-Turkish war 1877-1878.), Church of the Blessed Trinity (Trinity Golden Church of St. Roha, 1861-1864.) with an ancient icon of Our Lady with Jesus and the miraculous statue of St. Roch, more known as "Red church" Neoroman Church of Saint Simeon and Elena (1908-1910.) on Independence Square, Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (Former church and monastery Bernardine, 1642-1732.) with the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, Church of St. Joseph Both Monastery of Bernardians (1652 g), nearby Trading rows (1810-1817.), the symbol of medieval minsk – City Hall (XVI-XIX centuries, restored at the beginning of the XXI B), House Masonov Music Lane (XVIII B), Petropavlovsk Church (Ekaterininskaya, 1613 g), Minsk Jeshiva (1888, now the restaurant is here "Rakovsky Brovar"), complex Loshitsky manor (XIX c) and Cookie Castle (1825 g).

Church of Saint Simeon and Elena
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Architecture of Trinity suburbs

In the Soviet period and after the war, the capital of Belarus acquired many new monuments. New attractions of the city are customary to attribute the main street of the city – Skorne Avenue, Akademgorodok (1936), Boulevard Tolbukhina With a fraternal grave where 10,000 partisans and civilians are buried, Government House (1930-1934.), President’s residence (The former building of the Central Committee of the CPB, 1939-1947.), Monument Victory (1954) and Eternal flame (1961), Memorial Complex "Pit" – The place of mass execution of the Jews, House officers (1934-1939.), at home in the style of Stalin’s high-rise buildings on Privinal Square (1946-1952.), Vesryanskaya (Xx c) and Pokrovskaya church (1993-2004.), church "All mournful joy" (1993-1997), church "The recovery of the dead" (1996-1999.), the memorial church of those killed during the years of the Afghan War (1993-1997.) on "Island of Tears", Church of St. George (end xx c) and Monument to the victims of the Holocaust in the territory of the destroyed Jewish cemetery.

City Hall
Church of Mary Magdalina
Monument Victory

Futuristic building National Library Also undoubtedly is the attraction of Minsk. This is worth come at least for the sake of the observation deck.

And near Komarovsky market Installed a whole complex of sculptures, among which photographer with an old camera, Grandma with seeds, fabulous horse and Chekhovskaya Lady with a dog.

Museums Minsk

Minsk is a recognized cultural center of the country, so it is not surprising that here you can find many museums, among which are most interesting Literary Museum I. Kupala in the park of the same name, Belarusian National Museum of History and Culture, Belarusian State Art Museum With an excellent collection of paintings of the XVII-XX centuries, tragic Museum of History of the Great Patriotic War, Museum of ancient art, Museum of People’s Architecture and Life, Museum of samovarov and household items XIX in, as well as unusual Museum of stones In Uruche, on the site of an ancient pagan capital.

Government House in Minsk
Residence of the President
station Square

Parks and gardens in Minsk

By the number of parks and green boulevards, Minsk has always been one of the leading cities of the former USSR. The most colorful green zones include Central Children’s Park named after Gorky (Former Governor Garden, 1805 g.) with an extensive ride, Park Yankee Kupala (1962.), Chelyuskintsev culture and recreation park (1932 G.), Victory Park (1945) with the Komsomol lake in the center, Central Square (Former Alexandrovsky Garden, 1872.) and Central Botanical Sad (1932 G.).

Museum Yankee Kupala
Gorky Park, main entrance
Entrance to the Park of Chelyuskintsev

Around Minsk

A lot of interesting places around Minsk – Lake Naroch (Area 79.6 kV. km – the largest reservoir of the republic), ethnographic complex "Dudute" (40 km from Minsk), Ski Complex "Logoish" (30 km north of the capital), famous sports complex "Raubichi", remnants of fortress structures and The building of the spiritual school (1767 g) in Slutsk, Church of the Holy Trinity (XVIII c) in Benica, Pokrovskaya church (1867-1871.) and Teaching seminary (1762 g) in Molodechno, Church of John the Forerunner (1742 g) in Vishnevice, wooden Konstantin and Elena Church (1866 g) in wolaz, Transfiguration Church (1793 g) in cancer, Manor Bogdashevsky (XIX c) in matzyn, dated as much as 1590 year Church in the woods, Archaeological settlement "Glashtoldova Mount" and Church of St. Anna (XV-XVIII centuries.) Near Dzerzhinsk, Blagoveshchensk Church (1794 g) in the Ladakh, Jesuit church (1620 g) in the honey, Church of St. Stanislav (1754 g) in the Madel, Museum of People’s Architecture and Life Open-air in spaces, wooden church (1798 g) in the ultrasound, Church (XVIII c) in Shemetovo, Monastery Dominicans With a church (all XVII c) in the skillet, "mound of Glory" In honor of the admission of Soviet soldiers at the 21st kilometer of the Minsk motorway – Moscow, Ancient settlement (XI-XIII centuries.) in Logoisk, relict Nalibokskaya forest, reserve "Blue Lakes" and Berezinsky biosphere reserve.

The main points of attraction for tourists in the Minsk region are the ancient cities of Zaslavl and Nesvizh, as well as the tragic Memorial Khatyni.

Reviews and studies of trips

Shopping in Minsk

To the neighbors – in Minsk it is worth going exclusively behind the local goods. What and where it is worth buying in this city? Read more →