Gomel is an old city located on the territory of the Republic of Belarus on the banks of the Sozh River. The first mention of the settlement dates back to 1142, and, according to one version, it received its name in honor of the Gomeyuk stream.
Over the years of its existence, Gomel was part of the Chernigov principality, was presented to commander Rumyantsev by Empress Catherine II, survived the revolution and occupation of German troops during the Great Patriotic War, and left the USSR.
Currently, the city is developing in the field of industry and tourism, and is actively being built up.
If you are planning a trip to Belarus, you can get new ideas from our guide to the most interesting cities and attractions in the country.
Historical sites and museums
The Rumyantsev-Paskevich Palace and the palace and park ensemble
Address: Lenin Square, building 4 Phone: +375232703818 Website: https://www.palacegomel.by/ Opening hours: 11:00-19:00 Tue-Fri, 10:00-18:00 Sat-Sun, Mon — day off Cost: 1-50 Belarusian rubles
One of the oldest museums in the Republic of Belarus, an architectural monument of the 18th and 19th centuries. The palace was erected on the site of a wooden castle with funding from Catherine the Great in 1794.
The building served as the family estate of the family of Count Rumyantsev, and was rebuilt and modified many times. In 1834, the count's heir sold the palace to the state treasury, and a few months later the architectural ensemble was bought by commander I. F. Paskevich. The second owner of the building erected new buildings on the estate, changed the appearance of the palace and laid out a park.
During the periods of revolution and war, the architectural complex managed to survive, and in 1990 the territory of the ancient estate received the status of a museum. The work of famous architects Blank, Moscepanov and Alekseev, who had a hand in creating the palace, serves as a place for walking and learning about the history of Gomel.
Among the museum exhibits: ancient collections of coins and books, archaeological finds, as well as personal belongings of the first owners of the estate. On the territory of the palace and park ensemble there are other attractions: the Winter Garden, the chapel, the embankment, the swan pond and the observation tower.
Ferris tower
Address: Lenin Square, palace and park ensemble Phone: +375232703818 Website: https://www.palacegomel.by/ Opening hours: 11:00-19:00 Tue-Fri, 10:00-18:00 Sat-Sun, Mon - closed Cost: 1-50 Belarusian rubles
The construction of the tower dates back to the 19th century. Initially, the structure served as an exhaust pipe to remove combustion products from the boiler room, and a few years later the Paskevich sugar factory operated here.
The 40-meter-high structure was converted into an observation deck, and a Winter Garden was built around it. Nowadays, tourists visiting the palace and park ensemble notice traces of artillery shelling during the Great Patriotic War on the walls of the tower.
Since 2015, it is possible to climb onto the reconstructed observation deck and look at Gomel from a bird's eye view.
Chapel-tomb of the Paskevich princes
Address: Lenin Square, palace and park ensemble Telephone: +375232703818 Website: https://www.palacegomel.by/ Opening hours: 11:00-19:00 Tue-Fri, 10:00-18:00 Sat-Sun, Mon - closed Cost: 1-50 Belarusian rubles
The architectural monument of the 19th century was erected by Fyodor Ivanovich, the son of Field Marshal I.F. Paskevich, as a tribute to his family. To obtain permission to build a tomb, Paskevich’s heir helped develop Gomel and was awarded the status of an honorary citizen of the city.
The construction of the chapel took place over 19 years; famous architects, artists and sculptors were involved. 8 representatives of the princely Paskevich family are buried in the tomb.
During the Great Patriotic War, the chapel was significantly damaged and has not been restored to this day.
Gomel Regional Museum of Military Glory
Address: Pushkin street, building 5 Phone: +375232341129 Website: milglory.gomel.museum.by Opening hours: 11:00-19:00 Cost: 0.8-1.8 Belarusian rubles
The Museum of Military Glory opened its doors in 2004 in honor of a significant event - 60 years since the liberation of Belarus from German invaders.
The cultural complex was created with the assistance of the President of Belarus, the regional council of deputies and the military forces of the republic. On the territory of the museum there are numerous exhibits: tanks, guns and artillery from the Second World War. One of the main attractions is the locomotive of the ambulance train, steam locomotive ER 05.0.
In the museum building there is an exhibition dedicated to the military glory and heroes of Gomel. There is also a large collection of historically important documents and old photographs.
Guides organize quest tours and exciting themed games for tourists.
Hunting lodge
Address: Pushkin street, building 32 Phone: +375232742823 Opening hours: 10:30-18:00, Mon, Wed - weekends Cost: 1.5 Belarusian rubles
The current museum building served as the summer residence of Prince Rumyantsev in the 19th century. After the death of Nikolai Petrovich, the Krushevsky nobles lived in the house, and during the USSR, a radio station, the Extraordinary Commission and other municipal institutions were located here.
In 1997, after reconstruction, the museum opened its doors to connoisseurs of the history of past centuries. In the old wooden house, collections of watches, paintings and mirrors in exquisite baguettes have been preserved. Thematic and seasonal exhibitions are held in the seven halls of the house, and the only permanent exhibition within these walls is the Museum of the History of Gomel.
Museum of Forensics
Address: Pushkin street, building 5 Phone: +375232775741 Website: https://milglory.gomel.museum.by Opening hours: 11:00-19:00 Cost: 0.7-1 Belarusian rubles
The Museum of Forensics, founded in 2010 at the regional museum of military glory, is a treasury where real materials and evidence of high-profile cases are collected.
The main attractions are the case of the prototype of the famous Ostap Bender, the famous “Theft of Apples” and the elusive diamond scammers. The exhibition includes more than 500 exhibits, including weapons, counterfeit money, documents and much more.
The prisoner's cell, the well-known bedside table with three hiding places have been recreated here, and the first identikit photographs in history are presented on the “Criminologist's Desk”.
Art gallery of G. X. Vashchenko
Address: Karpovicha street, building 4 Phone: +375232777520 Website: https://vaschenko.by Opening hours: 10:00-19:00 Mon-Fri, 9:00-18:00 Sat-Sun Cost: 2.5- 5 Belarusian rubles
The art gallery named after Gabriel Kharitonovich Vashchenko was opened in 2002. The collection of works by the artist, whose talent was recognized not only at home, but also abroad, consists of 400 works.
The works of Vashchenko himself and his famous friends and students, as well as works of Belarusian artists are presented here. The gallery hosts cultural events: exhibitions of children's and youth creativity, lectures on art and a tour from gallery employees.
Anticinema No. 1
Address: Gomel, st. Dostoevsky, 1-1. View on map
Anti-cinema is a completely new format for organizing leisure time for both adults and children. Here you can have fun with the whole family or organize a children's party. Read REVIEW.
Parks and monuments, streets
Baumansky Bridge and monument to the first settler in Gomel
Address: Bauman street
The Baumansky Bridge connects the city park with the Gomel diocese. It was built in 1970 and has the popular name “Bridge over the Kiev Descent”.
The bridge offers a beautiful view of the park and the boatman sculpture, better known as a monument to the first settler. The monument represents a hunter landing on the shore in search of game. Next to the Gomel resident in the boat, a lynx is a symbol of the city.
Sculpture Suitcase Mood
Address: Station Square
The sculpture, also known as "The Eternal Passenger", was installed in 2008. The author of the work, Vyacheslav Dolgov, noted that the monument is dedicated to travelers.
Local residents and tourists associate the idea of the monument with the romance of travel.
Zero kilometer
Address: Lenin Square
The monument, erected in 2010 in the city center, rises on the square of Turovsky Square.
The sign is a column indicating the distances from the “zero kilometer” point of Gomel to the largest cities in the world.
Monument to Gulliver
Address: Sosnovaya street
The sculpture was opened in 2007 and is a gift from the Gomel administration for the children of the city.
The work of Tamara Dmitrieva is a seven-meter metal structure - Gulliver with a sword in his hand, the hero of the work of Jonathan Swift.
Puppet Theatre
Address: Gomel, st. Pushkina, 14. View on map
drive2.ru
While in Gomel with children, it is impossible not to visit the puppet theater. The theater's repertoire is rich and varied, each production is unique in its own way. Little spectators have the opportunity to smile and clap their hands to their favorite characters performed by talented actors, sincerely believing in the Fairy Tale, Good.
The ticket price also includes a visit to the theater puppet museum. Young viewers will be interested in seeing the heroes of their favorite productions and dolls donated to the theater by colleagues from other cities.
Photo from Wikipedia
There is a pedestrian zone in front of the Puppet Theater and bronze figures of heroes from the fairy tale “Buratino”. Anyone can wink at the long-nosed boy and scratch behind Artemon’s ear. This is a favorite place for photo sessions with children.
Current playbill for performances HERE.
Churches and Temples
Peter and Paul Cathedral
Address: park named after. Lunacharsky Website: https://soborgomel.cerkov.ru
The construction of the religious building took place in October 1809. Count Nikolai Petrovich Rumyantsev, who inherited the place, wished to honor the memory of his father by building a temple.
The cathedral bears the names of the holy apostles Peter and Paul and is located not far from the founder’s estate. During the revolution and German occupation, the church closed; only in 1980, after undergoing reconstruction, the cathedral resumed its activities.
Nowadays, services are held in the church, the former iconostasis has been recreated, and a Sunday school operates.
Catholic Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary
Address: Sovetskaya street, building 118 Phone: +375232601425 Website: https://www.katolik.life/rus/
The church was opened in 2000 on the site of the destroyed Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the period of the revolution and the emergence of Soviet power, the building served as the administration of the cemetery, and after that it served as a film distribution center and an art workshop.
Restoration work began in 1990, when the premises were transferred to the Catholic Church. Not only workers, but also local residents, Catholics, and volunteers from all over the republic took part in the construction.
In 2012, Italian masters Fabio and Ismael Nones had a hand in the appearance of the temple. The altar was decorated with frescoes on the theme of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
St. Nicholas Monastery
Address: Demyan Bednogo Street, building 4 Phone: + 375232952335 Website: https://nikolsky.by
The monastery was built in 1994 and is part of the Russian Orthodox Church. The main building of the complex is St. Nicholas Church, founded in 1904.
On the territory of the monastery there is a church of St. Dionysius of Radonezh, a courtyard and a temple in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. Among the shrines are the icon and relics of St. John of Kormyansk, the myrrh-streaming icon of St. Nicholas.
Elias Church
Address: Komissarova street, building 44 Telephone: +375232703570
The only Old Believer church in Gomel was built in 1774.
The temple was built on the site of an 18th century church, which fell into disrepair and could not be restored. For many years, the Elias Church served as a dwelling for hermits, and, according to one legend, Emelyan Pugachev stayed here after returning from Turkey.
Gomel Circus
Address: Gomel, st. Sovetskaya, 27. View on map
gomel-circus.by
The building of the Gomel State Circus is one of the most recognizable among the sights of Gomel. The ground floor, rectangular in plan, is topped with a bowl-shaped amphitheater and a sloping spherical dome.
Children also love this place because near the circus building there is a dynamic fountain and a playground with a decorative pool. In the evening, the lights turn on and the place looks simply fabulous. The monument to the famous Soviet clown Karandash (M.N. Rumyantsev), flower beds, Pionersky Square, car parks - being in Gomel and not visiting the circus is simply unforgivable and unacceptable for a family with children.
Performances run from September to May-June; the rest of the time the circus troupe tours. The circus also organizes concerts and performances by musical and other groups. The Gomel circus is the second most important in the country after Minsk.
Attractions in the surrounding area
Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Address: Staraya Volotova, Bryanskaya street, building 4 Website: https://www.nikola.by/
The temple was erected according to the design of Count M.P. Rumyantsev in 1817 on the site of an old church. The English architect John Clark was involved in the construction, and the altar was painted by a local craftsman, whom the count sent abroad to study with famous icon painters.
After the revolution, war and the era of Soviet rule, the temple was restored only in 2005. The main shrine of the church is a locally revered copy of the Augustov Icon of the Mother of God.
Polesie State Radiation-Ecological Reserve
Address: Khoiniki city, Tereshkova street, building 7 Phone: +3750234645239 Website: https://www.zapovednik.by How to get there: by bus from Gomel to Khoiniki station, 1.5 hours on the way
The largest reserve on the territory of Belarus was created in 1988 after the accident at the Gomel Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The area is 216,000 hectares and covers areas contaminated with radiation. The object is of interest not only to ecologists, but also to biologists - over the years of restoration of the territory, more than 40 rare species of animals, 280 species of birds and 25 fish have settled here.
Numerous plants grow on the territory of the reserve, many of which are listed in the Red Book. Scientists actively monitor radiation levels and do not allow them to go beyond the designated area.
Due to the danger and high level of radiation, tourists are allowed to visit only some areas of the reserve, but strictly with passes.
Republican biological reserve Dnepro-Sozhsky
Address: Loevsky district Coordinates: 52.02, 30.48 How to get there: by bus from Gomel to Loev, 1.5 hours on the way
The reserve was founded in 1999 and occupies an area of 15 hectares between the Dnieper and Sozh rivers.
Created with the aim of preserving and maintaining nature, as well as endangered species of animals that are listed in the Red Book. An ecological route for tourists has been created here, a ferry crossing, recreation areas and excursions have been organized.
If you have not yet chosen where you will live and want to save money when booking, we recommend using the RoomGuru service. Firstly, it contains hotels, apartments and guest houses from many different booking systems, so you won’t miss out on a worthwhile option. Secondly, you can immediately compare prices for one place in different services and book where it is cheaper (this is not always Booking!).
Youth theater
Address: Gomel, Lenin Ave., 10. View on map
moltheatre.by
Those who appreciate talented acting and experimental productions should definitely visit the Gomel City Experimental Theater-Studio. The theater is also famous for children's productions: “Puss in Boots”, “Heart of Gold”, “The Steadfast Tin Soldier”, “The Wizard of the Emerald City”, etc.
Current playbill for performances HERE.
Walk around Sozh
During the warm season, be sure to plan a boat trip. Two motor ships ply along the Sozh - a single-deck and a double-deck. Motor ships depart from the pier on Kievsky Spusk. The walking route involves traveling from the Kyiv descent up the Sozh River, past the beach to the Iput delta and back. Children will definitely enjoy riding a boat on Sozh.
If you want to listen to Russian sacred music
When: December 17 at 18:30
Where: N.F. Sokolovsky College of Arts (Sovetskaya St., 18)
How much: 12-15 BYN
The concert will be a special event - the musical community, colleagues, friends and grateful fans will congratulate the chamber choir on the 40th anniversary of its formation. Spectators will hear the best examples of Russian sacred music and Western European classics. Works by Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Denisova, as well as Diabeli’s majestic Mass for organ, chamber choir, soloists and chamber orchestra will be performed.
If you dream of visiting Lapland, but don’t have money
When: already possible
Link:
youtube.com/user/CityofRovaniemi/live
photo kidpassage.com
Of course, you can invite Santa Claus to your home, but it’s even cooler to catch him at home. What does he do there, where does he go, and is it true that elves help him? A nice background when setting the table. You cover it yourself, and Santa Claus covers it.
If you like handmade products
Where: City Culture Center (Irininskaya St., 16)
When: December 20 from 11:00
How much: free
In the lobby of the State Central Concert Hall you will be able to purchase unique New Year gifts for yourself, family, loved ones, friends and colleagues and take part in a free master class on creating Christmas tree decorations.
Romantic evening
There are many places in Gomel where to go with a girl. Here you can spend a wonderful romantic evening, enjoying comfort, delicious cuisine and pleasant service.
The cafe that experienced travelers recommend to go to in Gomel is called “Befana”. There is always a seasonal menu that attracts a large number of visitors. For example, on the summer menu you can find a variety of smoothies (strawberry-blueberry, spinach-tomato, orange-cranberry-walnut, cherry-strawberry-banana), mint, chocolate and vanilla cocktails, and Red Mango iced tea.
For appetizers for a romantic evening, they recommend ordering tuna tartare, salmon carpaccio or Parma ham. The menu has a wide range of salads: with candied Kamchatka crab, tuna meat, pear or seafood. For main course, you can order poultry stroganoff with wild mushrooms and cream sauce, veal with truffle sauce or duck leg with orange caramel. Here's where to go in Gomel in the evening to have a good rest and have a good time.
If you don't know how to draw, but are ready to start
When: Weekends throughout December
Where: Studio “Air”, st. Sovetskaya, 1
How much: from 40 BYN for a three-hour master class
Every adult needs to remember their childhood and take a break from everyday activities (art therapy) at least once a year. In the creative workshop “Air” they will tell you and show you what to do so that in the end you are sure to see a wonderful result and share it with your loved ones. You can make New Year's plates (sculpt and then paint) and cards (paint). Sign up for the master class here or by calling +375(33)355-40-88.
Night life
There are places to go in Gomel for tourists who prefer nightclubs. There is plenty of such entertainment here. For example, you can go to cultural and entertainment. Here, on the night from Friday to Saturday, a nightclub opens for those who want to dance and rock, for people who know how to relax and know how to do it. You will plunge into real club life, filled with temptation and passion. Fashionable DJs regularly perform here with the best musical compositions. Also on the basis of this cultural and entertainment center there is a restaurant with European, Italian and Japanese cuisine. The address of this establishment is Lenin Square, 2.
If you like nightlife, be sure to visit the Arena Hall karaoke club. It is located at Kommunarov Street, 6. Here, only the most professional equipment is at your service, which will make you feel like a pop star. Original design, comfortable furniture, a real stage - all this is conducive to complete relaxation, and the play of colors and dim lighting will help you relax and enjoy your free time. If you want to retire in your own small company, you can go to the VIP room, and if you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a big holiday, then stay in the main hall.
Here you can not only sing to your heart's content, but also eat deliciously. The club has a large variety of European cuisine. Here's where to go and have fun in Gomel.
