The ancient Minsk appeared on the right bank of the River Svisloch. The first time it was mentioned in chronicles was 1067.

Since its first days the history of Minsk was full of wars and destructions about which only ruins and sites of fire remained. The World War II was incredibly destructive, and 90 percent of the city was in ruins after that war. But thanks to the dwellers of the city, Minsk saved its historical centre. If you would like to start your tour around the Belarusian capital since its cradle, you should visit the place near the metro station “Nemiga” and the Sport Palace (located at the beginning of the Pobeditelei Avenue), where in the medieval times the Nemiga River flowed into the the Svisloch River.

Before the XVIth century the castle was the administrative, economical and cultural centre of the city. Most of the buildings were wooden. There were built up some churches, the oldest of them was founded in the XIIth century.

From the early XVIth century the Upper Town was the centre of the city, where market shops and Town Hall, temples, cloisters, synagogues, mansions of aristocrats and city-dwellers were constructed.

Passing centuries did not disturb the historical aspect of streets and blockstoo much, so that many ancient buildings survived. The spirit of ancient times is still in the air over the Upper Town. The central part of the Upper Town is Svabody Square. It was founded in the middle of the XVIth century. Before the XXth century it was the main city square and changed some names through time.

Some years ago, the Town Hall was reconstructed on its historical place of disposition according to the XIXth century chronicles. Now everybody can admire the snow-white, built up in classical style tower with its 32-meter tower on the top, crowned with a pointed steeple and a weathercock, and listen to the charming melody of the Town Hall clock. Everyone could find the most prestigious shops of the city there. Nowadays the restoration of the complex is under way.

On Svabody Square the building of Minsk Gymnasium has survived. Many years ago it served as the building of the Basilian Monastery. The central building of the square and the whole city was the Roman-Catholic Church of St.Virgin Mary. Today the temple, built at the beginning of the XVIIIth century, is surrounded by buildings of the Soviet times. But this soaring tower still causes feelings of lightness while looking on it.

The Roman-Catholic Church of St. Joseph is a marvelous monument of Belarusian Baroque. Constructed in the XVIIth century, it was closed after the revolution of 1863-1864. Near the Church some market shops of the early XIXth century have survived.

The Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Spirit is considered to be the “visiting card” of the Upper Town. It was built up since 1642 to 1687. There are two sanctuaries located here: the Miraculous Icon of God’s Mother and the relics of the Belarusian Saint Sophia Slutskaya. Not a long time ago, on the hill in front of the Temple some scenic view points appeared, where it is possible to catch the marvelous view on the old blocks of Minsk.

Three-storied building at the interswction of Internasionalnaya and Engels Streets is Moniuszko House, where the famous composer spent his childhood and youth. One of the most mysterious monuments of Minsk architecture is Masons’ House. Today in this building the State Museum of Theatre and Music is located.

The Traetskaye Suburb (Trinity Suburb) is a unique place of the Old Minsk with colorful and cozy yards which attracts citizens and travelers around. Also many cafes, shops, souvenir shops have been built up lately.

A small footbridge leads from the Trinity to the Isle of Tears, commemorating Soviet soldiers from Belarus who died in the decade-long war with Afghanistan between 1979 and 1989. The centrepiece is the chapel, with haunting figures of grieving mothers, sisters and widows at its base. A nearby fountain features the boy-like figure of an angel, rigged up to cry teardrops. You may notice that a certain part of his anatomy is shinier than the rest. This is explained by the tradition of newlyweds visiting war memorials on their wedding day, and a modern folk belief that if the bride gropes this poor young lad’s privates she’ll be guaranteed children. In order to find out something new about Minsk you can continue a walk tour around the Rakovskoye Suburb. Here is the Orthodox Church of S.S. Peter and Paul is located- one of the oldest in Minsk. The church was built at the beginning of the XVIIth century and survived up to now. Please, pay your attention to its mighty walls and embrasures. In ancient times the church saved parish not only from temptations, but also from the attacks of invaders.

During the World War II the Minsk Ghetto was located on the suburb area. In this Ghetto more than 100,000 Jews were murdered.

Walking along Osvobozhdeniya, Rakovskaya, Vitebskaya, Dimitrov, Zamkovaya streets, you can notice the old blocks saved only partly. In the Rakovskoye Suburb you can see the buildings of the former Synagogue, Ieshiva (the highest Judaic Spirit College).

While sightseeing Old Minsk, do not lose your chance to try the national cuisine. Hit the comfortable restaurant of Belarusian cuisine “Talaka” on Rakovskaya Street and also visit the brewery “Rakauski Brovar. Day and night, over the Suburb, good smell of very fresh homemade pastry flows in the air. At the end of Rakovskaya Street the cafe“Salodki Falvarak” is located.