What to see in Belarus

Minsk

Administrative center and the national capital of Belarus, Minsk is the largest and most populated city in the country with almost 2 million inhabitants. It is located in the Dniéper river basin between the Svíslach and Nyamiha rivers and is divided into 9 administrative districts.

The first mention of the city dates from the tenth century, thus it is in one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its historical significance is undeniable. The centuries of Mongol, Lithuanian, Polish and Russian assaults were followed by the impact of the Second World War, which almost completely destroyed it, along with years of isolation due to their membership of the USSR. Belarus claimed its sovereignty in the 90s, and since then the city has begun to grow independently.Although its Soviet urban layout and Stalinist aesthetics in the imperial style is undeniable due to its constructions of long and wide avenues, squares and enormous monuments, Minsk also exhibits a historic cobblestone centre home to the of old remains of walls, castles, towers, baroque temples and some neoclassical touches.Those who travel to Minsk will find a tidy, orderly, modern, quiet and well-communicated city; and these are some of the words used to described Minsk. The city increasingly attracts travellers and tourism is gradually increasing.

What to see in Minsk

There are many points of interest in Minsk. Many of them are located around Independence Avenue and Prospekt Nezavisimosti. Liberty Square houses the elegant and immaculate City Hall, a neoclassical construction and the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, with a white facade and green roof, that stands out as the most important temple for Orthodox Christians in the country.Another of the most famous squares is the October Square where the Palace of the Republic is located, as well as the Palace of Culture better known as the Parthenon of Minsk for its neoclassical style, and the KGB Building.

The immense Independence Square, one of the largest in Europe contains the Headquarters of the University, a great statue of Lenin, the Church of Saint Simon and Saint Helena, known as the Red Church for the colour of its brick facade, and a sculpture of the Archangel Saint Gabriel slaying a dragon. Underneath the square is the Stolitsa shopping center. In the center of Victory Square, stands a huge 40-meter-tall obelisk crowned with the victory star to honour those who died during World War II. It is the heart of the city where locals celebrate festivals and parades. On the roofs of Stalinist buildings and circular facade that are arranged around it, there are large red letters that read "the historical debt of the people is immortal."Other important streets of Minsk are the bustling Skoriny and Vzyzvalicieliau, the youthful Zybitskaya, Karl Marx and Lenin street and Vencedores Avenue.Across one of the bridges over the Svílach River, you can reach the Island of Tears, a small artificial island where an emotive monument is located, formed by a chapel surrounded by giant sculptures that represent the mothers and widows of the deceased of the 80s Afghanistan War. Minsk was built on a forest, so there are many parks scattered throughout this city, a great success of urban planning, where cement and gardens alternate perfectly. Parks like the Gorky, the Janki Kupali or the Pieramohi, are magnificent places of relaxation where families stroll and young people practice sports. Minsk is also a centre of science and arts with more than 150 institutions of scientific research, culture and education, with 27 art schools, cinemas, the Belarusian National Circus, opera and 12 theatres such as the refined National Academic Grand Theater and 18 museums, including the State Museum of the Great Patriotic War. The National Library is a must-see sight with its futuristic design. It houses the third largest collection of books in Russian in the world and on the 22nd floor there is a viewpoint that is well worth a visit for one of the best panoramas in the whole city. The Slolitsa Underground Mall, the Zamok shopping center and the GUM Galleries are paradises for shopping-lovers. For adventure lovers, the Chelyuskinites Amusement Park is a perfect choice and for lovers of nightlife, bowling and billiards recreation clubs are a good option. The ice rink in front of the Respubliki Palace is the busiest and the Grand Café, Bistro de Luxe, La Scala, Falcone and Vasilki are excellent restaurants where you can taste the unique cuisine of the country. Minsk prides itself on its architectural legacy. It is true that the city exhibits symbols that allude to the era of the Soviet occupation but there is also a desire to look to the future. You could say it's like Moscow's little sister. Like this, it boasts a great urban and monumental power, impeccable aesthetics, sober and serene beauty, order and cleanliness.Minsk is beautiful in summer when the sun and high temperatures predominate when the flowers bloom and the music sounds, but it is also impressive in winter when it looks white and pink on the cold mornings and is illuminated beautifully during the long nights.