Belarus recently changed its visa policy, allowing for the first time EU citizens to enter the country without a visa. Given this opportunity to remove one more of the very few remaining European countries from my bucket list, a chilly autumn afternoon I boarded that plane heading to Belarus for the first time. I spent one week there exploring this disremembered city. And here I make this blog post with some suggestions about things to see and do in Minsk.
Railway Station
Nothing’s too special about Minsk’s Railway Station. However, even if you fly into the country that’s where the bus to the city centre is going to drop you off, you will willy-nilly get to come to this place. The building itself is a casual modern one completed in 2002. Just like everywhere else in Europe, this is the spot where the city’s hoboes hang out. Be prepared to confront some really persistent beggars. If you are a smoker, you better not smoke in public in this area. Not because it is forbidden (in fact it is but no one seems to care about that); but because all vagabonds within seeing range are going to immediately race down to you, willing to deprive you of as many fags you are willing to hand out.
Trinity Hill
Also known as Trinity Suburb, Trinity Hill is the oldest and, in my opinion, the most picturesque neighborhood of Minsk. Just like most of the city, Trinity Hill was ravaged during World War II but was ever since faithfully restored. This is where I resided for most of the days of my sojourn in Minsk. I found it very pleasant to stroll around the neighborhood’s quiet cobbled streets and hidden gardens. The promenade along the bank of Svislach River, defining the periphery of the neighborhood, also makes for a very nice walk.
Island of Tears
This is an islet in Svislach River: the only one in the part of the river running through the city centre. A small footbridge leads to the island from the promenade near Trinity Hill. The islet is basically a little park where the Son of the Fatherland Monument stands. This commemorates the Belarusian soldiers who died during the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s. When I visited, a mellow sunny morning, I happened to bump into a bunch of war veterans who’d gathered there emptying a bottle of vodka. One of them (who was the drunkest of all) was quite talkative. He came and sat with me and told me some of his intriguing war stories.
Upper Town
This is considered the heart of the Belarusian capital and is one of its oldest districts. It is situated atop a small knoll overlooking Svislach River; hence its name I assume. Some of the city’s most significant sights are to be found here, such as the Liberty Square, the City Hall, and the Holy Spirit Cathedral. This district is also one of the city’s main nightlife hubs with plenty of cool bars and restaurants.
Independence Square & Church of Saints Simon and Helena
Here is the largest square of Belarus. It was originally known as Lenin Square during the Soviet times and took its current name after the independence of Belarus in 1991. The Belarusian Parliament and a number of other governmental edifices are adjacent to it. The Church of Saints Simon and Helena, also known as the Red Church, is also located here. This is one of Minsk’s most renown churches, and one of the prettiest indeed. It was constructed at the beginning of the past century as a Roman Catholic Church. Today it again functions as such, after it had a long break from its holy operation during the Soviet era. It then was used as a cinema.
Museum of Miniatures
Out of all the many museums of Minsk, I only happened to visit the Museum of Miniatures – or Strana Mini (mini country). It hosts a collection of maquettes representing the most famous sights of the country. Fairly interesting overall; especially if you have a particular interest in such handicrafts. The Museum is situated in an underground hall inside the Trade Union Palace of Culture, across from the Palace of the Republic.
Belarusian State Circus
This is a beautiful, outstanding building hosting a circus. Its construction was completed in 1958 and made it the first stationary circus in the Soviet Union. (I’m trying pretty hard but I cannot recall if I’ve seen any other stationary circus in any other place – there mustn’t be many of them I assume). Though I generally like circus shows, I didn’t go to watch this one. But I’m sure it must be quite fun.
Victory Square
Another large square of Minsk. A 38-meter granite column stands amidst the square commemorating the victory of the Soviet Army against the Nazi forces in the Great Patriotic War.
Victory Park and Independence Palace
This is a really beautiful, extensive park located to the northwest of the city centre. It is laid around the periphery of Komsomolskoye Lake: an artificial lake created in the 40s by obstructing Svislach River. There are plenty of nice paths, picnic spots, a beach, and some cafes and pubs in the park. The Museum of the Great Patriotic War is also located within the park’s premises. By the north side of the park stands the Independence Palace (President Lukashenko’s house): the colossal, extravagant structure which every self-respecting dictator has to build at some point in his life.
National Library
The National Library of Belarus is located in the north suburbs of Minsk, near Uschod metro station. It hosts the largest collection of Russian literature outside of Russia and the third-largest worldwide, following the principal libraries of Moscow and St Petersburg. It is hosted in an impressive building of rhombicuboctahedron shape, whose faces at night are turned into LED screens. One can ascend to the top of the building for a small fee. An observation deck stands there offering some nice views of the Belarusian capital.
Stalin Line
The Stalin Line was a line of fortifications constructed in the 1920s to protect the newly formed Soviet Union from potential invaders from the west. By the time of the German invasion in 1941, the line was largely abandoned. So, in reality, it contributed very little to the union’s defense. A surviving part of the fortifications is located to the northwest of Minsk and functions as a World War II open-air museum. Most of the arms on exhibition are, in fact, posterior to the war. But nevertheless, one can get a good freaking feeling of how life in the trenches must have been like.
Eat at Lido
There is a really nice self-service restaurant chain operating in Minsk known as Lido. They make pretty tasty food and their places’ decor is just amazing: as if taken out from a fairytale. I ate at a couple of them, but I especially liked the one situated at Kamarouski Garden Square.
Casinos
A thing I had no clue about until the very moment I saw it is that Minsk is a gambling paradise. There is a fancy casino at pretty much every second corner in the very centre of the city. They must be making tons of money from rich Russian bettors flocking across the border at the weekends.
