Recommended Tourist Attractions in Minsk

1. Troitskoe (Trinity) Suburb

In the XVI – XVII centuries this was one of the two pottery centers in Minsk for the production of tiles. Here were found fragments of tiles, fragments die tools – molds for extrusion drawing. People of middle class – artisans, merchants, peasants and soldiers lived in the suburbs. In the Trinity suburb Maxim Bogdanovich was born, and Yanka Kupala’s family lived here.

2. Minsk Town Hall and Svobody (Freedom) Square

A major milestone in Minsk’s history was the acquisition of self-government rights following the granting of the Magdeburg Charter in 1499. It gave impetus to the city’s economic development and led to the adoption of a western-European urban lifestyle. At the time it was the most advanced system of self-government that consisted of the elective magistracy and the voit, city head appointed by the Grand Prince. The Charter granting Minsk the Magdeburg rights and the permission to build the Town Hall.

The Minsk Town Hall was reconstructed several times. First made of wood, it was then rebuilt as a brick-and-stone structure. At the end of the 18th century it acquired a Classic style. It was a rectangular building with a spired tower. Its facade adornment was fairly plain and only its side walls were decorated with porticoes and columns. The restored building is crowned with a 32-meter-tall tower with a clock and the city coat of arms depicting ascension of Virgin Mary.

3. The Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saint Virgin Mary

During the Second World War, the Jesuit church was badly damaged after his appearance was changed beyond recognition: the church was rebuilt and adapted for learning sports platform of society «Spartak». Only in 1993 the church was returned to believers. Over the next decade detailed restoration of the external appearance and internal decoration of the building was carried out. Unique paintings and organ were restored.

4. Minsk – Arena

The Minsk-Arena Complex is unique in its complexity and functionality not only in Belarus but also in Europe. It includes a multi-sports and entertainment arena. One of the primary uses of the facility is ice hockey, as the building is the home rink of HC Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.

With modern equipment and fully relevant professional standards and unique scenic complex Minsk Arena holds events of international concern of national importance in the sporting and cultural life of the country, for example, 2014 IIHF World Championship, 2010 the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, 2016 European Speed Skating Championships.

5. The Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Spirit

Since 70-es of XIX century former cloister nestled Svyatoduhovsky Orthodox monastery. Now it is known as the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.

The miraculous icon of Our Lady of Minsk, which is considered the heavenly defender of the city is kept in the cathedral. Also in the temple are the relics of St. Sophia Slutskaya, who all her life fought for the preservation of orthodoxy on the Belarusian land.

6. Victory Square

Victory Square is one of the most grandiose and majestic architectural ensembles in Minsk.

At the foot of the monument there are bronze wreaths, which symbolize the four fronts, that participated in the liberation of Belarus. Victory Monument was inaugurated on May 9, 1954. On the day of the 17th anniversary of liberation of Minsk, July 3, 1961, at the foot of the monument was lit an eternal flame.

Under the Square there is a metro station named Victory Station. In an underpass leading to the station there is the Memorial Hall of Heroes. It was inaugurated in 1985 in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Victory over Nazism. The underpass is built as a circular passageway with its walls bearing photographic images of the best-known memorial sites dedicated to the events of the war against Nazism.

7. The Catholic Church of St. Simon and Helena

The Catholic Church of St. Simon and Helenais a sample of monumental architecture of the early 20th century. Otherwise known among Minsk inhabitants as the Red Church, it was built on the initiative of Edward Wojnilowicz and his wife who had been grieved by a premature death of their children – first, their 12-year-old son Simon and then, a few years later, their 19-year-old daughter Helena. In order to immortalize their children’s memory they donated their wealth for the construction of a church in Minsk under prior agreement with the city authorities that the church would bear the names of St. Simon and St. Helena. The taller spire of the church epitomizes parental grief while the other two – the memory of prematurely passed-away children. Inside the church, right of the entrance is a snow-white bust of Edward Wojnilowicz, who was destined to become the last descendent in the lineage of this ancient Belarusian noble family.

8. St. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral

The church, which until the beginning of XIX century was an Orthodox cathedral, was visited by the Emperor Paul I. During the War of 1812, the church housed a French hospital. During the Second World War the church served as a refuge from the bombing for the residents of the city. Until the early 1990s the building was an archive and since 1991, services were resumed in the church.

On 6 April 1999, eight newly cast bells were consecrated and raised to the belfry. In January 2001, their number was supplemented by another on, the biggest.

The church keep revered icon of the Vilna Martyrs Anthony, John, and Eustathius with the particles of the relics.

9. The Belarusian State Circus

After the war, the Soviet government decided to build in the country 20 circuses, the first – in Minsk. On January 31, 1959 was put into operation first in Belarus landline winter circus.

First premiered on February 11, 1959. This day is the birthday of the modern Belarusian Circus. Distinctive features of the Belarusian circus is that it is the only circus in the world, located in the heart of the nation’s capital, on the main street. The building is adapted for performances of all genres of circus, variety, sports, the content of any animals (including marine).

10. The National Library of Belarus

The National Library of Belarus is a unique building in terms of architecture built in 2006. The library is not only one of the biggest book storages in the world, but also includes Book museum which is often visited by tourists. One more thing the library has to offer is a marvelous view form the skydeck which is located on the 22nd floor of the building.