BELARUS MINSK DESTINATIONS
Explore The Old Town The “Old Town” sits on the eastern side
of the Svislach River, bordered by Vul Maxima Bahdanovicha. Known as Troitskoe
Predmestiye, or “Trinity Suburb”, the “Old Town”,
is not really that old. The original 17th and 18th century houses were
recreated in the 1980s. However it’s a delightful place to walk around.
Here you can relax in quaint cafés or browse through the souvenir
shops.
Visit The Island Of Tears Down from the Old Town by the riverbanks is the
evocative Ostrov Slyoz, or “Island of Tears”. This is a memorial
to Belarusians who lost their lives in battle, but in particular remembrance
of those that died in the Soviet Union’s war in Afghanistan in the
1980s.
Holy Spirit Cathedral Standing defiantly on a small hill is the Holy Spirit
Cathedral, one of the most instantly recognisable landmarks of Minsk. This
two-towered Orthodox cathedral is situated in the Upper Town. It was once
part of a Polish Bernadine convent. The monastery buildings nearby are
now a music academy. Address: Kirila i Mefodiya 3, Minsk
Have A Picnic In Gorky Park The city’s oldest park is lovely in the
summer. Very popular with locals who walk along the well-tended paths,
Gorky Park is a bigger draw to children, who head to the enormous Ferris
Wheel, for great views of the city.
Church Of St. Simon And Helena Better known as the “Red Church”,
it was built in 1910 by a Polish noble to commemorate the death of his
two children – the tower’s three bells are named after him
and the dead children. It is open from 8.30am to 7.30pm daily. Address:
Savetskaya 15, Minsk
Phone: +375 17 220 44 15
Museum Of The Great Patriotic War Next to the classical-style Trade Union’s Culture Palace, is the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. This museum tells of Belarus during World War II. It also tells the story of Minsk’s Jewish population following the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. Behind the building is a park filled with vintage tanks and planes. Address: BYR 5,000, Address: Skoriny 25, Minsk
Phone: +375 17 227 56 11
Sit In Tsentralny Park Across the road from the Museum of the Great Patriotic War is a delightful little park that stands on the site of a 19th century marketplace. You often see people playing music here.
Visit The Kgb Museum North-west of Independence Square is a yellow neo-classical block, which houses the KGB building. On the other side of the street is a park, where you can find a bust of the founder of the KGB’s predecessor, the Cheka, Felix Dzerzhinsky. Address: Francyska Skaryny 17, Minsk
Palats Mastatsva A stylish and trendy hangout – well compared to the dour museums that tend to make up Minsk’s cultural scene, Palats Mastatsva is an arts institute where you will find galleries and book stalls. Address: Vul Kazlova 3, Minsk
Phone: +375 17 213 3549