Top things to see
Belarus is a country with a unique history. Over many centuries the Belarusians were strongly influenced by their move politically conscious neighbors, several times they were on the brink of complete annihilation but managed to survive, preserve their culture and create a national state.
Minsk is the capital of Republic of Belarus, the centre of the Minsk region and the Minsk district. It is situated 340 km northeast of Warsaw and 120 km southeast of Vilnius, was first mentioned in 1067. The city suffered badly during WW2. It is situated along the river Svisloch.
The suburb of Troitskoye Predmestye should not missed; it gives an insight into the way Minsk once looked – 19th century houses with colorful facades line the streets. There are also marvelous examples of baroque architecture, such as the Holy Ghost Cathedral (consecrated to honor the appearance of the Holy Ghost); St. Peter and Paul Church (the oldest building in Minsk made of stone) and the Maryinsky Cathedral which was rebuilt to its original shape.
The cultural life in Minsk is rather rich. Shows of the National Academic Bolshoi Ballet theatre of Belarus enjoy great popularity with public. If you come to Minsk you will have the opportunity to visit the National Museum of Belarusian History and Culture, the National Fine Arts Museum (has the richest collection of works of Belarusian, Russian and foreign artists; has about 24,000 exhibits and it is also promotes national arts ); the Museum of History of the Great Patriotic War and the Museum of Old Belarusian Culture.
The Dudutki Museum of Material Culture is to be found 40km (25 miles) from the capital city and is the only private museum in Belarus showing traditional crafts and ways of life.
The Museum of Folk Architecture is situated in Ozerto (15km/10 miles southwest of Minsk), and features original pieces of century-old buildings from different regions in Belarus.
Sports enthusiasts can enjoy excellent cross-country skiing in the Raubichi Olympic Sports Complex, 22km (14 miles) from Minsk. There are also two modern resorts (Logoisk and Silichy) for lovers of mountain skiing,situated 30km (19 miles) from Minsk. Skating is also popular. Due to the hilly landscape and scenic views the Logoisk district has been dubbed Belarusian Switzerland. It hosts one of the most popular skiing resorts in Belarus which is second to European skiing facility in providing high-class services to skiers and snowboarders.
About 22km (14 miles) from the capital is the picturesque village of Raubichi, with an interesting ethnographic museum housed in a disused church. Not far from Raubichi (10km/6 miles) is the idyllic Minsk Lake, dotted with numerous islets and surrounded by dense pines.
The Memorial Compound Khatyn, a monument to all Belarusian villages burnt down by the Nazis during the war, has gained international recognition.
One of the calling cards of the Minsk region is the Stalin line Compound featuring fortification facilities of Minsk built in the 1930s not far from the city Zaslavl. The 40-hectare compound recreates WW2 front-line units and artillery batteries.
St. Assumption Zhyrovichi monastery is almost 500 years old. Since its foundation this holy place has been the stronghold of Orthodoxy in Belarus. The monastery has preserved the miraculous archeiropoitos Zhyrovichi icon of the Mother of God, which appeared before people in spring of 1494. The monastery is one of the most revered places both by Orthodox and Catholic believers.
120km (75 miles) from Minsk is the small town of Mir where one can see the Jewish Cemetery and the 15th-century Mir Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Nearby, historic Nesvizh still retains its old buildings.The town Nesvizh is a real gem of the Mink region. Nesvizh owes many of its unique features to the famous Italian architect Giovanni Maria Barnardoni. He designed the castle and Corpus Domini Roman-catholic Church. Its walls and ceiling are richly covered with frescoes. The church hosts one of the largest necropolises in Europe with 102 sarcophaguses of the Radzivill family.
There is a Pakrovskaya street in Vitebsk built in early 1900s where the renowned artist Marc Shagall spent his early years. Currently, the building houses a museum of the famous master.
In about 992 the first Orthodox eparchy in Belarus was founded in Polotsk, the ancient capital. Polotsk is the homeland of Frantysk Skaryna, the glorious son of Belarus. Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Polotsk is a center of Orthodox Culture for the entire region. Founded in 1044 by prince Usiaslau the Enchanter the cathedral was the place where ambassadors were received, war declared and peace agreements signed. A large Holy Cross Cathedral was erected in 1893-1896.
The frescoes in the Savior’s Church which have accumulated rich folk traditions, the best accomplishments of the Byzantine art schools represent now a unique masterpiece of the world’s monumental painting of the 12th century.
St. Virgin Mary’s annunciation Catholic Church and the Convent of Brigittines constructed in 1632-1642 in Grodno. In the Nativity of the Most-Holy Mother of God Convent you will see the holy ointment shedding Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Also you will find the Sviatsk Palace and Park Ensemble the Catholic Church of the Virgin with the rosary in Soly.
The Braslav Lake District situated in the north and northeast of the country, near the borders of Lithuania and Latvia, is ideal for boating holidays. Several of the 30 lakes, situated in an atmospheric forest, are connected by canals. Accommodation in the area is usually in small dachas along the lakeshore
One of the highlights of Brest is a tour of the Fortress, which was used to repel the German forces during WWII. There is a museum inside the fortress which chronicles its history back to the 13th century. This history is further illustrated by a fascinating selection of exhibits in the Museum of History and Archaeology.
The Belovezhskaya Pushcha is one of the oldest and largest forest massifs of the plain Europe. It is located in the territory of Brest, Grodno regions as well as in the territory of Poland. The length of the Belarusian part of the forest reserve is over 60 km from north to south, 50 km from west to east. Centuries-old oak trees are common feature of the local landscape. The aurochs the master of the Pushcha is a symbol of these woods. Located at the edge of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha is the ancient town of Kamyanets, the 30-meter high white Tower dominates proudly the local surroundings. Such constructions are a typical example of Medieval European defense architecture. Long scenic hiking trails are scattered throughout the Berezenski biosphere reserve
For tourists seeking political history, the village of Viskouli is where leaders of Belarus, Russia and the Ukraine signed the famous agreement stipulating the final disintegration of the USSR.
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