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.