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Minsk

Independence Avenue

Independence Avenue
Minsk's main thoroughfare impresses with its sheer girth. Independence Avenue (colloquially called Francyska Skaryny Avenue) runs the length of the modern city, beginning near the train station at the stubbornly austere and expansive Independence Square (colloquially called ploshchad’ Nezalezhnastsi). Here you'll find a Lenin Statue with the imposing Belarusian Government Building behind it, and the 1910 red-brick Church of St. Simon & Helena, with its tall, gabled bell tower. Heading northeast, you'll pass the iconic Minsk Hotel and then come to the ominous KGB headquarters between Haradsky Val Street and Kamsamolskaya Street. Roughly opposite the KGB building is a long narrow park with the bust of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Cheka (the KGB's predecessor) and a native of Belarus.

A couple of blocks further northeast is the grand Oktyabrskaya Square, and adjacent to this is Central Square (Tsentralny Square in Russian), 19th-century marketplace converted into a park. The grey building in the northeast of Central Square is called Dom Ofitserov (Officer's Building), which has a tank memorial devoted to the soldiers who fought for the freedom of Minsk from the Nazis. In the southeast, you would find the much-guarded presidential residence.

The Independence Avenue crosses the Svislach River, and passes through two of the city's main parks:

- Park Yanka Kupala and
- The Horkaha Central Children's Park.

Across the bridge, is the Museum of the First Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Workers' Party (the predecessor of communists party of USSR). In 1898, this is where the Russian Marxist party held its illegal founding congress. Diagonal to the museum is the earlier residence of Lee Harvey Oswald. About a 100 metres away is the Victory Square (ploshchad’ Pobedy in Russian) with the mark of Victory Obelisk and its interminable flame, which is just beneath the obelisk. Up north is the Jakub Kolas Square, another capacious square, that is unstiffened by an amusing parkland.

Independence Square
Independence Square also called Lenin Square, is dominated by the Belarusian Government Building (behind the iconic Lenin statue). The red-brick Catholic Church of St. Simon & Elena, built in 1910, is also here. Its tall, gabled bell tower and attractive detailing are reminiscent of many brick churches in the former Teutonic north of Poland.

Oktyabrskaya Square

Oktyabrskaya Square (October Square)
The city's main square is referred to universally by its Russian name, Oktyabrskaya Ploshchad (October Square; in Belarusian, it's Kastrychnitskaya Square). Here you'll find the impressive Palats Respubliki (Palace of the Republic), a concert hall. Also on this square is the classical, multicolumn Trade Unions Culture Palace.

Freedom Square
In the centre of the Old Town, a little away from Lenin Street is the appealing Freedom Square. A little northeast of the square is the ornate, twin-towered Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, which was built in 1642. Earlier, it was a part of a Polish Bernardine convent and had the former Bernardine Church next to it, which houses city archives now.

Ratusha (Town Hall)

Ratusha (Town Hall) – Notable Building in Minsk
Originally constructed in the 1800s, the Minsk Ratusha has been rebuilt in the same and now looks over Freedom Square. Its pointed tower invites visitors to the Upper City. However, it's closed to the public.

Victory Square
In the north of the centre of Independence Avenue, the road crosses the Svislach River and then has parklands on both sides, before coming into the Victory Square. The parade on 9th May (Victory Day) usually ends here. The eternal flame is accessible from the underground passageway.

Former Residence of Lee Harvey Oswald

Across the bridge over the Svislach River, is the earlier residence of Lee Harvey Oswald. In his early 20s, the alleged assassin of former US president John F Kennedy lived here for a couple of years. He came to Minsk in January 1960, after quitting the US Marines and joined the USSR. After coming to Minsk, he came a true native: Got a job, got married, and had a child. He even changed his name to Alek; however, he soon returned to the United States and finally did the unthinkable.

Trinity Hill

Trinity Hill beautiful miniature version of Minsk's pre-war buildings on the bent of the river. It has little cafes, shops, and a bridge that leads to the Island of Courage & Sorrow.

Island of Courage & Sorrow - Monument in Minsk

The evocative Afghanistan war memorial is colloquially called the Island of Tear. Built like a small church with four entries, the monument is surrounded by towering gaunt statues of the sorrowful mothers and sisters of Belarusian soldiers who perished in the war between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan (1979–89).

Trostenets memorial complex

The Trostenets memorial complex has been built on the site of a concentration camp, which operated in Minsk during World War II. The Trostenets memorial complex yokes two places of mass killings: Blagovshchina (Mass shootings place) and Shashkovka (Mass burning place). You can see the camp where the crematorium, administrative/economic buildings and mass-killing areas are.

The "Trostenets" concentration camp was the fourth largest concentration camp after the notorious Auschwitz, Majdanek and Treblinka; and 206,500 people were killed in this concentration camp. They were killed near the pre-dug trenches, and the corpses were buried using a caterpillar tractor.

Museum of the Great Patriotic War

Considered as Minsk's best museum, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War displays Belarus' misery and courage during the Nazi occupation. A range of real tanks, aeroplanes and artillery from WWII are also displayed in this museum.

The Museum also showcases the unsettling aspects of the concentration camp. 2.3 million people were killed in Belarus during the war, out of which 1.5 million were civilians.

Belarusian State Art Museum

This exceptional state museum has been renovated and has a well lite extension at the back that has local art-works from the 1940s to the 1970s. One must see the Valentin Volkov's socialist realist Minsk which is themed on the Red Army's arrival in the city on 3rd July 1944. Many art-works by Yudel Pen and his pupil Chagall can be found here, including the 1914 portrait of Chagall. There is also a remarkable collection of realist portrayals of 19th-century life in the Russian Empire and numerous works by Konstantin Makovsky, Ivan Aivazovsky, Isaak Brodsky, Nikolai Ge, Ilya Repin, Isaak Levitan and Mikhail Nesterov.

National History Museum

National History Museum houses the occasional gems of Belarus’ culture like a vintage wooden saniki (sled), Old Soviet Union propaganda posters, Old Soviet shop counter display, and a model of the printing press used by Francyska Skaryny.

Food & Beverages

Try Belarusian cuisine
Visit a traditional Belarussian restaurant, and you’ll wonder how locals stay so svelte. Pancakes dipped in rich pork broth (machanka), dumplings and solyanka soup are staples of Belarus’ button-popping cuisine. While local palates increasingly look west, with French cafes and Italian pizzerias dotted across the city, wear your stretchy pants for at least one Belarussian feast. Try draniki (potato pancakes), herring-stuffed tomatoes and slabs of grilled pork, ideally between sips of the excellent homemade honey and horseradish liqueurs.

Try the different varieties of beer while you learn about its history
In a momentous 19th century building, the Museum of Beer is a must-visit in the great city of Minsk. You can learn about the brewery’s antiquity and the Belarusian beer, inspect old beer bottles, wooden barrels, and taste different varieties of beer.
It is a brilliant group activity, as you will surely leave the museum with high spirits.

Spectacular Memorials

Heartrendingly spectacular memorials
The WWII left Minsk completely flattened. Multiple previous occupations and conflicts also mutilated the city. Explore Minsk’s malignant history through its memorials, and is most likely that you would be astonished by the designs and sheer measures of these memorials. At the ‘Island of Tears’, you would find the sculptures of mourning women and crying angels in the memory of all the lives lost in the 1979–89 Afghanistan war.

Near the National Museum of the Great Patriotic War, you can see the ‘Road to the Future’ sculpture which is silver in colour and looks like lightning hitting the shores. However, the most beautiful memorial is under the eternal flame at Victory Circus. This is an underground memorial hall speckled with the light from above.

Get a ‘Bird’s Eye’ View of the city
The Ferris wheel in the Gorky Park is the most breathtaking observation spot in Minsk. You can see the entire downtown city, right from the Kastrycnickaja Square, to curves of the Svisloch river, and Victory Square. However, it is suggestible to try this if you visit Minsk during the summers or spring.

Entertainment & Shopping

Visit Opera and Ballet Theatre and attend a performance
If you need to pamper your artistic side, then a visit to the Opera and Ballet Theatre is a must. The brilliant Opera and Ballet artists would have you spell-bound and would give you a rush of multiple emotions simultaneously.

Visit the legendary Osmolovka quarter behind the theatre and enjoy the ambience as if it was the 1940s.

Komarovka Food Market
This is the P2P market for all food-related items. Right from different kinds of meats to different varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables, all can be found in this landmark food market. It’s advisable to be friendly with the shop-keepers to avail excellent discounts.

Admire the Minsk City

The ‘Minsk Sea’ - Zaslavskoe Water Reserve
You’re probably thinking, wasn’t Belarus a landlocked country? It is indeed. However, they do have a sea, the ‘Minsk Sea’. Colloquially the Zaslavskoe water reserve is called ‘The Minsk Sea’, and is located outside the capital. You can take the electric train from the central railway station, and it is advisable to go there during the week because during weekends the place is over-crowded.

Take a walk down the Oktyabrskaya Street
To experience the vivid and colourful life of the local in Minsk, you must take a walk down the Oktyabrskaya Street. Enjoy a larger than life festival, soak-in the spectacular street art and the World’s largest graffiti. Ensure that you explore the old factory and take a few pictures with the graffitis around here. And if you feel like it then indulge yourself with some hot chocolate and handmade sandwiches at Lauka.

Minsk Circus

The Spectacular Minsk Circus
The Minsk Circus is one of the few rare permanent circuses in the whole world. A colossal building with a huge arena and awe-inspiring special effects. In the world of circus, the artists working at the Belarusian State Circus are one of the most awarded. This is a must visit the place, if you are travelling with children, even if they are children of all ages.

Join the ‘Mile-High’ Club above Minsk
If you wish to see Minsk in its full glory then hire a flight at Borovaya and take the ride of your lifetime. Fly in a YAK-2 with a professional pilot, and get an adrenaline rush like never before while doing death-defying stunts. If you are into rather less extreme, get a flight on AN-2 – a large plane used for parachute jumping. You will be able to get the bird’s eye view of Minsk and its countryside.

Day Trip

Day Trip to Nyasvizh Castle The Nyasvizh Castle is like no other, with two serene lakes on either side; this palacious castle and park complex was built by the Radziwill family in the year 1583. The yasvizh castle has been restored multiple times over the centuries and encapsulates many different styles from different eras.

Day Trip to Mir Castle
The Mir Castle was built in the 16th Century and looks like a perfect wall-paper, straight out of your imagination. The castle has undergone restoration recently, and looks simply exquisite, with dazzling grounds, reworked interiors and a massive exhibition on the time and lives of the Radziwill family. Some of the rooms have also been restored and the furniture used will transport you back in time.

Memorials & Parks

Day Trip to Memorial complex Khatyn
On a guided tour of the memorial, you will be educated about World War II and its impact on Belarus and its people. The Khatyn memorial complex is dedicated to all innocent victims of the war and the three years of Belarus’ invasion.

During the tour, you will find out about the history of the World War II and the impact it made on Belarus. The excursion includes visiting Khatyn, deeply-affecting memorial that commemorates all innocent victims of the war. On 22nd March 1943; the city of Khatyn was burnt to the ground with all its 149 inhabitants. Later the architectural complex was built here, representing the wells, streets, and houses.

There are 26 stylized log-houses with obelisks and bells, which have been built where the burnt houses were, at a point in time. You can also visit the cemetery of villages and the Wall of Memory. The Wall of Memory has the names of the concentration camps and the number of victims who lost their lives there.

Day Trip to Pripyatsky National Park
The untouched swamps, marshes and floodplains originating from the Pripyat River come together to form Pripyatshy National Park. The national park is 250 kilometres south of Minsk and is considered ‘The Lungs of Europe’. It is a nature-lovers’ paradise, which has over 250 species of birds, over 50 mammals and 800 types of plant.

Half Day Trip

ZORKA Jewellery factory
One must take a tour of the ZORKA Jewellery factory. ZORKA's pioneering spirit inspires innovation that features new technologies and modern, efficient equipment from Italy, Germany and Japan. The factory was founded in 1992, and you can take a tour to learn about its history. In the showroom, you can purchase all the jewellery that your heart desires. Ladies won’t miss this opportunity and Gentlemen also shouldn’t (for your ladies!).

Half - Day Trip to BelAZ
Plant BelAZ is famous for its giant – the Machine with a payload of 450. This dump truck is even included in the Guinness Book of Records. It weighs 360 tons, its height is more than 8 meters. Each of the eight tires of the truck can withstand about 100 tons. To make such a dump truck work about 10-12 hours, it takes about 5,600 litres of fuel. Take a guided tour of the museum and learn about the history of the company, see cars being made and gawk at the small models of the dump trucks.

History & Culture

Half - Day Trip to Stalin Line Museum
25 kilometres away from Minsk, in the northwest direction is the great fields of Lashany. To experience Belarus from WWII era and to see the Soviet war paraphernalia, you must visit the Stalin Line Museum. From helicopters to tanks and missile, all can found here. In fact, the bunkers from the era have been restored, and you should visit them to understand WWII first-hand. Soviet-era military music fills the air, while you take a ride in one of the tanks and fire live ammunition.

Half - Day Trip to The Mound of Glory
The Mound of Glory is the first thing that the visitors of Belarus are greeted with. The mound is right next to the airport and is a memorial complex honouring the sacrifices of the Soviet soldiers. Built in 1969, the Mound of Glory commemorates the Soviet liquidation of a German pocket during Operation Bagration. The sacrifices of the Soviet soldiers is celebrated through bayonets that symbolise the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Belorussian and 1st Baltic Fronts, who gave Belarus its freedom. The base is encircled by a ring with images of Soviet soldiers. On the inner side of the ring, you can see the text "Glory to the Soviet Army, Liberation Army!" There are two concrete staircases which lead to the monument and have 241 steps each.

Half - Day Trip to Park-Museum of Interactive History Sula
The First Belarusian Park-Museum of Interactive History Sula of medieval years is situated on the picturesque shore of the Sulskoye Lake, just 49 kilometres away from the capital city Minsk. Their masters have glorified the Sul lands for centuries: The glory of Batory, Vyshnevets, Radziwills and Lenskie is very much alive today in the memories of the residents of Sula and in its primary landmark, the Lensky manor. Pavel Lensky built the estate in the late 18th century.

Half - Day Trip to the Museum of Folk Architecture & Rural Lifestyle
The Museum of Folk Architecture & Rural Lifestyle is the epicentre of Belarus’ culture and history. It show-cases its Spanish ancestry in the traditional wooden houses, church, school and windmill, which have been erected in the museum. The Museum is 15 kilometres away from Minsk, in Azyartso. Here you can experience the authentic rural architecture, which has maple and apple trees sprinkled all around its campus. You also get to have lunch in a 100-year old tavern.
Kupalle is the summer solstice festival that is celebrated at the museum with great pomp and show.

Half - Day Trip to Dudutki Museum
The estate of a former country landowner, the Dudutki museum is created around the rural life of 18th & 19th century. This open-air museum displays traditional crafts like pottery, braiding, carpentry, cheese-making and many more. This perhaps is the best way to experience the traditional rural life of Belarus; sipping on some Samogon (Russian Moonshine) or Herbal Tea, while riding a horse in the country-side. You can also visit working mills and woodwork shops; and soak in the traits of traditional and rural Belarus.

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Weather

In Minsk, the summers last for 3-4 months and are usually from the end of May till the beginning of September. It is comfortable during the summer months, and the average temperature is 19 °C. Winters are cold and snowy, transforming the area into a winter wonderland. It is mostly overcast and cloudy during this time of the year. The average temperature is below minus 3 °C. Belarus has moderately continental weather. The best time to visit Minsk would be between June and September, but it is suggestable to carry an umbrella. March to December is usually the rainy season in Belarus. An alternate time to visit would be between February and May.

Culture

Belarus was formerly known as the Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, before 1991. It was sometimes also called White Russia or White Ruthenia. The etymology of the name is highly argued, but possibly could be used as a folk name for northern territories. As some historians suggest the existence of Red, Black and White Rus. Although Belarusians make up for the majority of the country’s population, however Lithuanians, Poles, Ukrainians, Russians, Jews, and Tartars ethnicities are also present. The rich blend of cultures is clearly visible in the new and unique Belarusian culture.

Belarus is landbound by Russia in the North and Northeast, Ukraine in the South, Poland and Lithuania in the West, and Latvia in the Northwest. The total land area covered by Belarus is 207,600 square kilometres, and Minsk (its capital) is centrally located and, is the largest and one of the oldest city in the region. With 1.9 million people living in Minsk, the capital city is always bustling with activity. Belarus has over 70% of its population living in urban areas and has a literacy rate of 98%. 40% of Belarusian territory is covered by forests and even have a green strip in their flag representing the forest lands.

At the beginning of the 10th century, two principalities of the Kievan Rus kingdom covered the modern day Belarus; The Polocks and the Turov. With the fall of the Kievan kingdom in the 13th century, the Mongols and the Belarusians became a part of the Great Lithuanian Duchy. Later in the 15th century, the Great Lithuanian Duchy and the Polish Kingdom came together to form the Commonwealth (Rzeczpospolita); the wealthiest state in Europe for the next two centuries. In 1793, Russia parted from the Commonwealth and Belarus was a part of its territory. Finally, on 27th July 1991, the Declaration of State Sovereignty was accepted, and in December, Belarus became a part of the Commonwealth of Independent States. On 10th July 1994, Alexander Lukashenko was elected the first president of Belarus.

Sardechna zaprashayem! Is the traditional greeting and Belarusians are very welcoming and warm. Russian Orthodoxy and Roman Catholic are the major religions followed in the country, but other religions are also followed. Byzantine and Orthodox Christianity majorly influenced its architecture and literature, and Francisk Skaryna is one of the most prominent names. He published the Bible In Belarusian. Yakub Kolas, Yanka Kupa and Uladzimir Karatkevich are some of its prominent writers. In 1995, Svetlana Alexievich won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Language

While Belarusian is the official language; however, Russian is also widely spoken. Belarusian belongs to the family of the Slavic languages and is very similar to Ukrainian and Russian. You can also find people talking in their native Lithuanian or Polish languages. Lacinka is the Latin script in Belarusian and has its roots in the sixteenth century. Reformation, Counter-Reformation and the western education have influenced the Belarusian script evidently.

Kukhmystr

A stone's throw from the president's office, this charming Belarusian place boasts wooden beams, a tiled fireplace, wrought-iron light fittings and antique knick-knacks. The staff is equally pleasant, and the menu is among the most authentically Belarusian in town. Order the house speciality, zeppelins (tseppeliny in Russian – huge potato dumplings), or order the pork knuckle a few hours in advance.

Talaka

This relaxed and cosy basement place is done up in old Belarusian style complete with stewards in period outfits and live folk music on most nights. It's a great place to sample authentic Belarusian cuisine, like rabbit baked in sour cream, khaladnik (cold borscht), herring-and-beet salad and draniki (potato pancakes).

Kamyanitsa

Wander a couple blocks southeast of the centre for some of the best traditional Belarusian cuisines in town. The draniki (potato pancakes) here is top-notch, or go for the koldumy (stuffed draniki) or quirky house specials like Granny Dunya's Meat Pot.

U Ratushi

U Ratushi is a pub-style restaurant which is perpetually crowded with youngsters (of all ages), who enjoy rock music and low-cost drinks. In the Old Town, this is perhaps one of the few restaurants which cater to a clientele of all ages. A great place to meet new people!

Rakausky Brovar

Minsk's first microbrewery is located in a massive central venue. The brewery offers five varieties of beer and a full international menu. Most people come for after-work drinks and stay late amid the fun-packed environment. Pita bread stuffed with fried sulguni cheese is a highly recommended beer snack.

Tapas Bar

A large menu of good tapas, suave dining areas and immensely warm hospitality; what else could anyone ask for! The paella here is to swear by, and meaty mains couldn’t be any classier. Combine this with fine wine, atop a street facing terrace and some good conversation. There you go, your evening is made.

Gambrinus

Fancy reliving you ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ days! Then you must visit this dungeon pub where all your senses would come to life. The food menu here is an excellent fusion of Belarusian and Euporean cuisines. Not just that; they have a ‘Beer Book’ with more than 100 beers to offer, and far as many cocktails too.

Usage of unparliamentary language

Usage of unparliamentary language in public areas is strictly prohibited and regarded as disorderly conduct. This may also lead to a hefty fine of 690 Br (Belarusian Rubles) approximately or even to an administrative arrest.

Drinking in Public

While it is perfectly fine to drink in restaurants, cafes and bars, however drinking in public places like streets, stadiums, squares, parks, and public transport is absolutely prohibited.

Taking pictures of strategic and secure facilities

There are certain places in Minsk which are considered strategic and secure facilities, and hence taking pictures of these places is prohibited. The Minsk airport, Railway Station, Government House of the Republic of Belarus, KGB Building, The Metro and other such places. It is suggestible to ask police officers whether you can take pictures of a certain building (If not sure) to avoid any inconvenience.