The capital of Belarus attracts the attention of guests from different countries with its interesting cultural heritage and low prices. To see most of the city’s attractions in a few days, you will have to carefully think through your route, because there really are a lot of them. Or you can use an alternative option and book a tour of Minsk from the Sputnik portal, during which you will visit the most iconic places in just a few hours.
Minsk is considered a multinational city. The combination of different cultures is reflected in the architectural ensembles, as well as the city’s monuments. Walking through its center and main streets, you will discover sophisticated Catholic cathedrals built alongside Orthodox churches. The most common architectural styles here are Art Nouveau, Classicism and Baroque. And in Minsk you will find unusual museums and large entertainment centers where you can have an interesting and fun time with your children.
Central squares of the city
We recommend starting your sightseeing trip by visiting the main squares. There are 4 of them in the city:
- Independence Square
. Its territory occupies more than 7 hectares. Therefore, the area is considered one of the largest in Europe. As a rule, sightseeing tours begin from this part of the city. Many of the attractions located here are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. These include the Government House, Minsk City Hall, the “Architect” statue, the Church of Saints Simon and Helen, apartment buildings of the 20th century, and the metro building. Walking along Independence Avenue, you will also see the National Library, the Palace of the Republic, the Minsk Theater and GUM.
- Square of victory . The assets of this part of the city are dedicated to the victory in the Great Patriotic War. Its central part is decorated with a monumental monument to soldiers of the Red Army. And nearby stands the Victory Obelisk. Below it is a memorial hall dedicated to fallen heroes. On Victory Square there is also an entrance to Gorky Park, a popular area for family recreation.
- Oktyabrskaya Square
. Located in the center of the capital of Belarus, next to Independence Avenue. City concerts and fairs are often held here, and in winter you can go ice skating on the square. Its main attractions are the Palace of Culture of Trade Unions, as well as a complex of fountains. - Yakub Kolos Square
. A small block located next to the street of the same name. On its territory you can see the building of the State Belarusian Philharmonic, the National Olympic Committee, and a monument dedicated to Yakub Kolas.
You can see the central squares and their assets during an individual sightseeing tour. It lasts 3 hours and includes a visit to Pobediteley Avenue, Independence Avenue and Freedom Square. On the tour page you can read the program description, find out the schedule, route and cost. The tour is conducted in Russian.
Evaluate the variety of brands in the shopping centers “Castle” and “Galileo”
At first glance, this is a controversial recommendation: why, supposedly, should a tourist look at what his country probably already has? But we would like to dispel one prejudice. Sometimes Belarus is presented as a “small-town” country where you can’t really buy anything. Now, this is not true. In addition to the dear GUM, which has preserved the charming Soviet style in architecture and internal structure, Minsk has quite a few large shopping centers with famous brands. It is enough to walk around the “Castle” and “Galileo” to be convinced that in Belarus you can buy not only straw bast shoes and “embroidery” (a shirt or dress with a national ornament).
Minsk city: sights and symbols
Church of St. Simeon and St. Helena
The grandiose architectural ensemble is located at the address: Sovetskaya Street 15. Residents of the city call it the Red Church, thanks to the bright color of the building. The building is considered the most famous Catholic church in Minsk. Its construction began back in 1905, and the shrine acquired its modern appearance in 1970 after perestroika. The main architectural features of the temple are its asymmetrical shape and 50-meter tower. In front of the entrance to the building you can see several sculptural compositions. And its premises are decorated with stained glass and stucco.
You can visit the church for free during opening hours. Today this place is considered one of the iconic places in the city, which is why it is included in sightseeing tours.
Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War
This exhibition is notable for being the world's first collection dedicated to the bloodiest war of the 20th century. Museum exhibits began to be collected in the post-war years from all European countries. Since 1942, his collection has reached more than 150,000 rare items, among which you will find military newspapers, letters, orders, weapons, equipment, medals and other attributes. The museum has 11 thematic halls, some of them equipped with modern 3D installations.
The grandiose building in which the exhibition is located impresses with its unique style. It is located on Heroes Square, next to the monument “Minsk - Hero City” and the sculpture “Motherland”. The architectural concept of the building is very original and symbolic. The structure is divided into 4 parts, each of which is dedicated to one military year. Its façade is made in the shape of a salute of 11 rays, which symbolize victory.
Gate of Minsk
The key attraction of the capital of Belarus can be seen at the very first acquaintance with the city. It is located on the station square and is considered the main entrance to Minsk. Don’t forget to take a symbolic photo against the backdrop of the gate, where your journey around the city will begin.
The attraction consists of two identical towers located opposite each other. The buildings were erected in 1953 in the style of the Stalinist Empire style. On one of the towers you will see a coat of arms. And the second is decorated with a valuable trophy from the Great Patriotic War. This is a huge watch with a dial diameter of up to 3.5 meters. Small arched windows, stucco moldings, and sculptures placed on the sides give the towers a solemn appearance.
Palace of Culture of Trade Unions
Walking along October Revolution Square, it is difficult not to notice the exquisite building, reminiscent of an ancient Greek temple in outline. It is decorated with columns, sculptural compositions and stucco moldings. This is one of the symbols of Minsk - the palace of culture of trade unions. It was built back in 1956 and has become an important cultural center of the city. Today the building houses the Theater Hall, where you can go with the whole family. The palace also hosts other entertainment: theater evenings, performances by dance groups and artists.
Nesvizh Castle
Cult sights are located not only in the center of Minsk, but also in its surroundings. Nesvizh Castle is considered one of the most visited places. This is a large palace and park complex located in the town of the same name in the Minsk region. The building dates back to the 16th-18th centuries and was founded by Prince Radziwill Sirotka. During this time, the castle was rebuilt a large number of times, so its architectural style has notes of Baroque, Classicism, Art Nouveau, Rococo, Renaissance, and Neo-Gothic.
Today Nesvizh Castle is located in a picturesque place. It is surrounded by a well-kept park with a lake. Its interiors are also distinguished by the beauty of its decoration. The castle has 300 chambers and 12 spacious state rooms. The Golden, Royal, Hetman, Marble and Star halls are particularly luxurious. Crystal chandeliers, fireplaces, altars, sculptures and paintings decorate the chambers of Nesvizh Castle.
For those who want to have a good day with the whole family, we recommend booking a 10-hour trip to the sights of the Minsk suburbs of Mir and Nesvizh. During this time, you will visit famous palace and park ensembles, stroll through parks, and visit the main assets of each city. The cost of the trip includes entrance tickets, guide services, transportation costs, and lunch in a restaurant.
Masonic House
The name of this place alone suggests that many secrets are associated with it. It is believed that it was built in 1817 on the initiative of the Masonic lodge. But there is no exact evidence confirming such a relationship. The only argument in favor of this legend is the shape of the building, reminiscent of a Masonic cross.
The exterior design of the building has almost completely retained its authentic appearance, and its interiors have been changed several times since its construction. Today the building houses the collections of the Museum of Theater and Music, which is worth a visit if you find yourself near the architectural complex.
City Hall
The building is located on Freedom Square and is considered one of the iconic architectural monuments. Next to it are the Cathedral and the Church of the Blessed Virgin. The Town Hall is considered a symbol of urban justice and independence, thanks to the historical events that are associated with this place. It is curious that in the 19th century the town hall was completely demolished and then rebuilt. Inside the building there are meeting rooms and exhibitions. The most interesting item in the exhibition is a miniature copy of the central part of Minsk in the 19th century.
Visit the art gallery "House of Pictures"
Tourists are usually advised to visit museums related to the history of Belarus. We will recommend the House of Pictures, a new gallery that is interesting for two reasons. Firstly, this is the largest private gallery. Secondly, its interior resembles the best European galleries.
Sometimes original exhibitions are held here: for example, the collection of perfume aromas “Smells of Life” was exhibited all winter. The works of many Belarusian artists are also presented here.
Unusual sights
In addition to historical and cultural attractions, the streets of the city contain many interesting houses and neighborhoods. One of them is considered to be a residential complex located in Odintsova Lane. This area has long gained popularity among local residents, who call it the “Gaudi quarter of Minsk.” The quarter is decorated with futuristic houses of different colors and shapes, which will become an excellent backdrop for memorable photos.
Another colorful place that is worth visiting during an excursion in Minsk is the Red Courtyard, located at 7 Revolyutsionnaya Street. Its atmosphere fully corresponds to its name. All the houses and courtyard walls are painted bright red. During the summer months, it often hosts music concerts, film screenings and art exhibitions.
Minsk delights its guests with a variety of interesting and beautiful places. In order not to waste extra time searching for assets on the map, it is better to seek help in choosing an exciting excursion on the Sputnik website. We will help you choose a program that suits your taste.
Try real potato pancakes
Belarus has long been called a potato republic, and if the image has stuck, it’s for a reason. Most folk dishes are prepared with potatoes, including the signature dish - potato pancakes. The recipe is extremely simple: spices are added to grated potatoes to taste, then they are molded into the shape of ordinary pancakes and fried in a frying pan. However, the result is surprisingly different in different establishments.
Real potato pancakes are prepared in any restaurant of Belarusian cuisine: say, “Vasilki”. If you want an establishment of a higher level, then the route should be taken to the Grunwald restaurant.
Take a dip in the Lebyazhy water park
The largest and almost the only Minsk water park is located on the outskirts of the city - Pobediteley Ave., 120. The entertainment complex is really large: five levels, total area - more than 30 thousand square meters. There are eleven slides in total with a total length of about one kilometer.
The water park will satisfy any request: there is a children's and family entertainment center, a beach party area, a wave pool with imitation sea waves and much more.
Take a photo from the observation deck of the National Library
The “Diamond of Knowledge” is much more often associated with Chupa Chups, but let’s leave the design decisions to the conscience of the architects. Almost any book can be found in the 23-story building, and tourists are usually attracted by the observation deck on the roof of the library.
Climbing to the top floor, you will see an excellent panorama of the city. However, in Minsk there is a shortage of high-rise buildings with free access to observation platforms, so there is still not much to choose from. But the view from the library is really good.
Ride along the bike path
The asphalt bike path runs through the entire city - it starts from the Drozdy reservoir near the Moscow Ring Road in the north-west of the capital and diagonally follows to the south, to another reservoir in the Chizhovka area.
The bike path is notable for the fact that it is laid along the green zone of the city, and in some places it goes out onto the embankment of the Svisloch River. Clean air, no cars, and a separate area for pedestrians. The length of the bike path is approximately 27 kilometers. Will you overcome?
Look into the Red Church and the White Church
The full name of the Catholic church is the Church of St. Simeon and St. Helena, but it is often called simply the Red Church. The building looks monumental, located next to the Government House and two universities - BSPU and BSU. The building looks spectacular not only from the outside, but also from the inside.
The main temple of the Belarusian Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church is the Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, it is located in the same Upper Town. The miraculous Minsk Icon of the Mother of God and the relics of Saint Sophia Slutskaya, granddaughter of Anastasia Slutskaya, a famous figure in the history of Belarus, are kept here.
