Visit Belarus on your own for 5 days. What you need to know when preparing for a trip to Belarus
At the beginning of September, Nina, Evgeniy and I went by car to Belarus. We had five full days at our disposal, during which we managed to see a huge number of sights, live in a castle, shoot with a machine gun, taste delicious Belarusian cuisine and drive more than 2000 kilometers along excellent roads.
Traveling around Belarus
How Nina and Natasha, greedy for sights, planned the route
Castles of Belarus
It turned out to be the easiest thing to agree on where and for how many days to go, because as soon as we opened the guidebook and other sources, it immediately became clear that it would be very difficult to satisfy our appetites in five days. Nina was ready to cover 800 km a day, but still have time to look both to the north of Belarus and to the southwest. I wanted to create a more optimal route so that I could travel less per day and see more. As a result, we decided that we would choose attractions that are located along our route, which will start from Nesvizh Castle and continue north around Minsk. To make it clearer, we can figuratively imagine our route like this. If you mentally put a compass on the map at the point “Minsk” and draw a radius of approximately 150 km from north to northwest, we will get approximately our route.
You can read more about our travel preparations, hotel bookings, and so on in separate article.
This is what our route looked like on the map.
View Route around Belarus on a larger map
After studying information about the sights of Belarus, we made a trip plan that covers some of the must-see places in the country.
Plan a trip to Belarus by car
1 day. Road by car Moscow - Nesvizh. Overnight at Nesvizh Castle (See. first day of traveling around Belarus).
Day 2. Nesvizh palace and park complex - Mir Castle. Overnight at Nesvizh Castle (See. second day of travel around Belarus)
Day 3. Kossovo, Ruzhany, Slonim, Synkovichi, Novogrudok, Lida. Overnight in Lida (See. third day of the trip around Belarus).
Day 4 Lida Castle, Zaslavl and the Day of Belarusian Literature (more details here), Stalin Line, Smolensk. Overnight in Smolensk.
Day 5 A short walk around Smolensk and the road to Moscow (See how to see Smolensk in half a day).
Belarusian national costume
Fields, roads and Belarusian open spaces
Before the trip, we read on the Internet that Belarus has very good roads, which were vehemently opposed to ours. As soon as we crossed the border, we were a little surprised, because the road surface was old and not particularly smooth. But, in fact, we did not come as road service inspectors, so we began to look around.
We drove along the M1 highway, constantly passing signs with information about toll sections of the road. There is no need to be alarmed; since 2012, all roads have become free, but for some reason the signs have not been removed. The speed limit is 120, which is very comfortable.
The first thing that catches your eye is the sown fields and a huge number of tractors. Perhaps they see tractors on the road with the same frequency as Infinity jeeps in Moscow.
Tractor Belarus
On the roads you can even see a horse harnessed.
In Belarus
Since it was September, most of the harvest had already been harvested, the fields were watered with natural fertilizers... the aromas were simply “magical”.
Along the road we constantly came across fields sown with fodder corn and turnips, and once we passed a field of sunflowers, but Nina and Zhenya didn’t really let us get into it. Well, at least they gave me corn to pick, and thank you for that.
By the way, after we drove a few kilometers from the border with Russia, the road became very good, both the highway and secondary roads.
And everywhere there is perfect cleanliness. It's as if the streets are being washed with shampoo.
It can be seen that agriculture is well developed in Belarus. The fields are cultivated, livestock graze in the villages, locally produced products are sold in shops, and there are many trucks driving along the road carrying milk, meat, sausages, etc.
Belarusian cows
The decorations made of straw, sacks and other improvised materials displayed along the road look funny, glorifying farmers, telling about how many tons of crops were harvested here this year.
Traveling around Belarus
In general, folk art is very developed, even in cities you can find such compositions... Cheap, but beautiful?
Composition
The signs along the road are almost all written in Belarusian. In general, everything is clear, although a little unusual, because in the Belarusian language almost everywhere we put “A” where we have “O”, “E” - where “E” is. For example, “dvarets” - is it clear? The only time we had a misunderstanding with the Belarusian language was the search for the city of Zaslavl. It turned out that in Belarusian it is spelled Zaslaue, so we drove past the sign. In addition to signs, price lists and work schedules are posted in Belarusian in museums, but people speak absolutely everything in Russian.
We saw commercial signs, such as posters, almost always in Russian. Once we were walking through one of the towns, and on the fence of a private house there was a large banner advertising a concert by the Belarusian singer Koldun. Zhenya was very surprised that psychics earn so well here that they can afford to buy such advertising space. And then I was surprised again when I found out that this was such a surname.
Along the roads, as in Europe, brown tourist signs are placed everywhere for each attraction, and the more significant the attraction, the more often and at a greater distance from it the signs appear.
Photo
We had a road map of Belarus, a guidebook with a poor description of how to get to interesting places, this was quite enough. The Garmin navigator, despite updating the maps before the trip, only knew Minsk and a couple of other large cities that we did not need.
A story about the M1 road to Belarus is here.
Nature of Belarus
A trip around Belarus can be a great anti-stress adventure. The country has fresh air, beautiful nature, many kilometers of fields that create a feeling of complete freedom, delicious high-calorie and natural food, a sea of architectural and natural attractions, as well as opportunities for active recreation: fishing, hunting, rafting, horse riding, hiking, cycling, walking routes in national parks. This topic is endless; it is impossible to talk about everything in one note.
Nature of Belarus
As part of this trip, we chose cultural tourism for ourselves, but next time we will definitely come for fishing and visiting national parks.
If you love outdoor recreation, then Belarus is perfect for this and can be an excellent alternative to Finland and other European lake countries. Especially in financial terms, because prices in the country are one and a half times lower. If we talk about service, what kind of service do you need for outdoor recreation?
There are a large number of agricultural estates in Belarus - this is something between a holiday home and the private sector. Agricultural estates come in different levels; you can live in a real village with all the ensuing consequences, or you can choose a comfortable house. Typically, agricultural estates offer additional services in the form of homemade meals, horseback riding, organization of fishing, hunting and various excursions.
Next time I plan to stay at an agricultural estate; I think it’s very interesting and unusual.
About the sights of Belarus
The sights of Belarus deserve to be told about them separately, since you can’t fit everything into one small paragraph. Interesting places in this country can be divided into several large groups: natural (for example, Belovezhskaya Pushcha), architectural (castles, estates, palaces), ethnographic (Dududka Museum near Minsk), memorial places associated with the Great Patriotic War (Khatyn, Brest Fortress) , pilgrimage and religious places (Cathedral in Polotsk, etc.). We did not set out to cover the immensity, so we strictly followed the planned route. Looking ahead, I will say that this was more than enough, since we were overwhelmed with impressions at the end of the trip.
Once upon a time, Belarus was called the “country of castles,” of which there were a lot. But even today one can be surprised at the special beauty of the castles of Belarus; first of all, Mir Castle (included in the UNESCO World Heritage List) and Nesvizh Castle should be highlighted.
Mir Castle
A whole tourist route has been developed for tourists, including both restored castles (for example, Lida Castle) and picturesque ruins.
Ruins of Novogrudok Castle
We independently visited the ruins of the Kossovo Castle, the ruins of the Palace in Ruzhany and saw the remains of the towers of the Novogrudok Castle. All these places are covered with interesting legends and historical events. Overall, we were impressed and eager to return.
Having driven through Belarus, we got the impression that tourists were clearly welcome here. I haven’t noticed any advertising of the country here, but it is clear that the state program for the restoration of architectural values and the preservation of natural attractions is working effectively. Funds are being invested in the restoration of castles and palaces, ethno-museums have been created, ancient churches and other churches are in operation.
Some towns in the country are similar to Poland and the Baltic countries, especially churches, Catholic churches, palaces.
Town Hall in the center of Nesvizh
The urban development of the historical part of the cities dates back mainly to the 18th and 19th centuries, and, of course, the hand of the Bolsheviks is visible everywhere: gray Khrushchev buildings of the working class, factories, administrative buildings.
In the city of Slonim
Since Belarus suffered greatly during the Second World War, its echo can still be heard. Along the road we constantly saw monuments to soldiers and their mothers, fresh flowers near them. I can imagine how you can hear the echo if you visit Brest and Khatyn. We visited the military museum “Stalin Line”, located not far from Minsk. The defense line, which was built during the years of Soviet power to hold back enemy troops in the event of an attack, has been recreated in the open air. Taking an individual excursion, we went down to the bunker, where machine guns and a periscope are located, then walked past anti-tank defenses, along a ditch and saw a lot more. I will tell you about visiting the museum separately.
Stalin line
Stalin line
There are few tourists on weekdays, but there are even foreigners among them. We also saw companies of Belarusians traveling by car around their country, and we saw Ukrainian and Russian cars.
Belly festival and Belarusian food
Belarusian cuisine
Many people come to Belarus to eat tasty and cheap food. I know one person who goes there exclusively for this. I think many have already tried Belarusian products, of which there are a lot on our shelves, and can imagine what a variety of delicacies is found within the country. The fields are fertilized with manure, the cattle are well fed - everything indicates that Belarusians produce a natural product.
Many people associate Belarus with potatoes, and for good reason. The potatoes there are extremely tasty, and the national dish made from them called “pancakes” is beyond praise. In addition, various sauces and ingredients are added to potato pancakes: wild mushrooms in a creamy sauce, meat, etc., they are served in a frying pan, a pot, on a plate - whatever the cook’s imagination allows. In all restaurants. Aimed at tourists, they serve potato pancakes, mochanka with pancakes, rich fatty soups and a lot of other tasty and unhealthy dishes. The portions are large, the cost is low, so we constantly overeat. Each time we told ourselves that we wouldn’t order so much again, and each time we rolled out from the table. The average check per person after a very hearty lunch or three-course dinner is 300 rubles with our money, in expensive restaurants 500-700 rubles, which by our standards is very cheap. In general, control yourself).
About Belarusians
I can characterize Belarusians as leisurely and rather modest people who don’t smile too much. At the same time, if you start communicating with them, they gradually open up and feel much more free; almost all the people we met were very nice and responsive. They always helped us find our way when we tried to leave the city on the right road, and explained how to get to the castles. But the Belarusian ladies working in the service sector were an unpleasant surprise. Hotel administrators and waitresses do not bother to treat clients politely; we constantly had to put up with Soviet service. At first it was shocking, but then we got used to it.
A masterpiece from the hotel
For example, we stayed at a hotel on the territory of the Nesvizh Castle, so the administrator did not even want to explain to us where the cafe was located, where a paid breakfast would be waiting for us in the morning. But she quickly taught us to be smart.
In small towns you can feel that the population is not rich. People are dressed very modestly, there are a lot of drunk men on the streets on a weekday, strange young people, a lot of gopniks. But dacha palaces have been built near Minsk, and you can feel that many people there are doing well with money.
On bicycles
Shopping, gifts, souvenirs
When planning the trip, we didn’t think much about shopping, but we still brought half a trunk of purchases. Nina and I should not be allowed into the store at all; only the owners of the establishment benefit from this.
When I got to the festival of Belarusian writing, I bought all sorts of fairy-tale characters in the person of a hedgehog grandmother, a brownie and another cute little person who should bring happiness to the house.
Here we bought 5 books about the sights of Belarus, and received two as a gift.
But that’s not enough for me, I grabbed three more sets of linen bed linen: for myself and as a gift for my parents.
In Nesvizh, Nina and I made a deal with a woman who was selling tablecloths with hand embroidery and lace. We stripped her tent, buying a total of 6 tablecloths.
In Slonim we went to a Belarusian cosmetics store and picked up a large bag of all sorts of jars and bottles. After spending 1000 rubles, at home we realized that you can only use hand cream, toothpaste and soap, and all kinds of masks and hair emulsions are complete nonsense. At least, after Israeli and American cosmetics costing at least 1000 rubles. For one means, of course, the Belarusian one does not sell. If you use Shamtu, Elseve and similar brands, then Belarusian cosmetics can be a good alternative and much cheaper.
Belarusian cosmetics
For edibles, we bought Belarusian chocolate and Lida beer. Many people still bring tinctures and vodka, but I can’t say anything, I haven’t tried it.
Initially, we planned to stop at the supermarket and buy food for home at Belarusian prices, but there were no shops along the road, and we no longer had time to go into the city.
I can say that for myself I decided to definitely go to Belarus again to see other interesting cities, castles, churches and fortresses. For example, ancient Polotsk, Vitebsk and Grodno, Belovezhskaya Pushcha and other national parks, the Brest Fortress.
Prices and reviews for hotels in Minsk
Prices and reviews of hotels in Brest
All hotels in Belarus
Belarus is a country located in the eastern part of Europe. The famous Belovezhskaya Pushcha is located here, the famous “Pesnyary” comes from here, and only here you can buy products manufactured in accordance with GOST of the USSR. This country is famous for its beautiful nature, magnificent castles and unsurpassed architectural sites. It is best to explore by car, because this is the only way to fully enjoy their splendor. All excursions in the state begin from its capital - Minsk. The hero city, like a Phoenix, was reborn after the almost complete destruction that overtook it during the Second World War. Today there is something to pay attention to and where to go.
Yes we ask or Welcome
A tour of Minsk begins from its airport or railway station. It all depends on how exactly you got here. If you are planning to go around the sights of Belarus by car, then start from here anyway.
National Airport Minsk 2 is located 42 kilometers from the city. On its territory there is an open-air museum, which displays aircraft from the times of the Soviet Union. Models of such aircraft as Tu-134A, Yak-40 and An-2 are exhibited here.
The main cultural and architectural object of Minsk is the railway station and the “Minsk Gate”, located on Station Square. The railway station building is incredibly functional and beautiful. Here you can exchange money, buy medicines and souvenirs, and have a snack.
“Minsk Gate” is two towers, each eleven meters high. They were built in the manner of Stalinist classicism. The towers are included in the list of the most recognizable city landmarks and are considered a calling card. The object was built during 1947-1953. The left tower is decorated with a clock, the diameter of which reaches four meters, and the right one is decorated with the coat of arms of the Belarusian SSR.
Conquer Belarus
Let's go further to see the sights of Belarus by car. The Khatyn memorial complex, located in the village of the same name, evokes both sadness and delight. The village itself was burned to the ground along with all its inhabitants in March 1943. Only three people from the village were able to survive - an elderly man and two boys.
The authorities of the Soviet Union considered it their duty to perpetuate the memory of the victims of that terrible event and similar horrors of the war period. Therefore, in 1969 they opened the Khatyn memorial complex. It includes a sculpture of a surviving village elder carrying a dying child in his arms. Sculpting conveys enormous emotional power. The prototype of the artifact was Joseph Kaminsky, a blacksmith who found his dying son under a pile of corpses. Every half minute, bells ring in Khatyn, enhancing the effect of what you see.
Castle Country
The sights of Belarus, photos of which are shown in our review, include a huge number of palaces. Each of them received separate praise and description. For example, it is a monument of defensive architecture of the 16th-17th centuries. It is located in the village of Golshany and was built by order of Pavel Stefan Sapieha in 1610. Once upon a time it was a majestic rectangular building with an area of 89 meters * 69 meters. And today it has turned into ruins, overgrown with bushes. The dungeons, where the history of the country was made in the old days, are covered with earth and are not of particular interest. The east wing and a couple of towers boast slightly better condition.
The sights of Belarus, especially castles, arouse great interest among tourists. The state can be proud of another fortress. This is Borisov Castle. It was built for quite a long time: from the end of the 12th century until the beginning of the 14th century. The object played a significant strategic role, because under its control there was a shipping route that ran from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. Little has survived to the present day, but Belarus can truly admire such a “hero.”
Lida
This is the name of a city in Belarus. It is located 160 kilometers from the capital. Here you can also explore some of the sights of Belarus. The best way to get around is by car. The settlement is located on the Lydia River and was founded in 1323. At one time it was the largest center in the country. True, this was a long time ago, but still... In the 14th century, the great Lithuanian Duke Gediminas founded a castle near Lydia. A settlement began to form around it, which soon became a large and powerful city. The owners of Lida changed several times, which left an imprint on its culture, architecture and history.
What to see here
Lida (Belarus), whose attractions are the monument to Adam Mickiewicz, the Mound of Immortality and other objects, is an ancient city, and therefore there is a lot of interesting things here. For example, Lida Gediminas Castle, which is built of gravel and sand on a piece island. Or the Church of the Immaculate Conception, created at the turn of the past and present centuries. Here you can also visit the sundial monument and other amazing objects.
And finally
After admiring the beauty of the country and already leaving it, pay a little more attention to the Dudutki Museum of Ancient Folk Crafts, the path to which will be indicated by a map of Belarus with attractions. Previously, it was a farm-type farm. And now it has turned into a huge tourist complex, on the territory of which there is a forge, a bakery, a menagerie and a mill.
Hello everyone) I’m writing a report about one of our trips for the first time, don’t judge strictly... The trip to Belarus was planned for a long time, I chose the optimal route, looked for accommodation, studied various reports on road trips and finally decided on the time of the trip (May 3-13, 2015 year) and route. Before the trip, we purchased a guidebook from the store, which we basically took everywhere. The price of the issue is about 500 rubles, but the thing turned out to be useful; the guide also included maps of the republic and Minsk)
Before the trip, maps of Belarus were loaded into the navigator, and accommodation was booked in all the necessary cities on the website olx.by/ Don’t be alarmed, prices are in Belarusian rubles, the owners of the apartments willingly accept dollars; Russian rubles, alas, were not accepted. I called the apartment owners a month before the trip; many apartments were already booked. Then I called everyone again in advance so that there would be no surprise upon arrival. Let me make a reservation right away: the apartments did not always look as “beautiful” as in the photo; some were not well-kept, the furniture already seemed shabby. Because We were always on the road and usually needed an apartment for an overnight stay, so we stayed where it was booked. A visa to Belarus is not required, you only need car insurance (green card or local policy). A few days in advance, I bought a green card from the first insurance company in the city that cost 700 rubles. This can be done before the border, but I advise you not to waste time on this and stock up in advance.
day 1, May 3, road to Belarus, first stop city Polotsk.
About 1000 km. on the way, highway M9, through Rzhev, after Velikiye Luki exit onto P51, then through P133 and now in front of us was a section of the road called “toll section”. At first we did not accept this as truth, because... section of road 50-100 km. turned out to be completely broken and narrow-lane, traffic along it could not exceed 70 km, because It was impossible to go faster. At the end of the road there really was a toll point and a barrier, the fare was 300 rubles) not fair... I’m used to seeing toll sections in a slightly different light than this. Having paid 300 re, the barrier was raised and a few meters later a sign “Belarus” appeared in front of us). we stopped, checked the course, and activated roaming. Then settlements with names in the Belarusian language began, which was somewhat unusual. Small villages with a measured, leisurely life. Because The first day of the trip fell on May 3, a day off, and along the way all local bank branches were closed, so it was somewhat difficult to exchange our re for their local rubles. It is also important to note that there are many storks in Belarus; as soon as you cross the border, storks begin to appear in their nests in the first populated area. We have never seen anything like this in our country. We arrived in Polotsk already at 5 pm, in total we had been on the road since 5 am, the travel time with stops for gas stations and snacks was 12 hours, the road in general was not difficult. In the evening we checked into a rented apartment, found an exchange office, which was only at the railway station, and this began our acquaintance with Belarus)
Day 2, May 4, 2015, acquaintance with Polotsk
Polotsk is the most ancient city in Belarus. The city itself is compact, provincial and attracts with its originality, but already in it the spirit of Western countries and their cultures begins to be felt. The city does not have large grocery stores, boutiques and other paraphernalia of comfort inherent in large cities. I’ll say right away that in Belarus, as well as in the Russian Federation, there are many banks, the most common is Belarusbank (http://belarusbank.by/), which offers the consumer the most unfavorable currency exchange rates, so if you decide not to show off, then it’s better walk further around the city or find another bank on the map that will save you a few rubles).
There are few attractions in Polotsk, so we covered them in half a day.
Monument to Francis Skaryna 
Freedom Square 
Polotsk is the geographical center of Europe 
Monument to the letter "u" 
The surroundings are clean and homely 
Monument to 23 Guardsmen 
Epiphany Monastery 
Lutheran Church 
The most beautiful place in Polotsk is the Cathedral of St. Sofia 
Further our path did not flow along the city embankment, but along its upper part: the Jesuit College 
Monument to the Krivichi founders of the city 
Monument to Euphrosyne of Polotsk 
At a distance from the city center is the Spaso-Euphrosinievsky Monastery 
You can have a delicious meal in Polotsk at the Domian cafe (Polotsk, Nizhne-Pokrovskaya St., 41 b), there is national cuisine here, and here we tried a local attraction - potato pancakes). We spent the whole day in this city, exchanged currencies, and then spent a long time recalculating them, because... our 5 tr. turned out to be the equivalent of more than a million Belarusian rubles in 50,000 pieces of paper), bought a local SIM card for calls throughout the republic.
Polotsk kvass and locally produced beer are sold in Polotsk. We managed to try this only in Polotsk, then we didn’t see them anywhere. Therefore, there is an opportunity, we advise you to buy such kvass either for the road, or as gifts)
Day 3, May 5, road to Minsk via Khatyn, about 230 km. 
We left Polotsk early, because... the journey is 200 km. not close, and even in unfamiliar terrain. In Belarus, the speed limits are the same as ours: highway 90, city 60, highway 110, but there is a slight difference! If we don’t receive a fine when we exceed the speed limit of up to 20 km/h with the existing limit, then here we can only catch up to 10 km/h. Be careful! There are a lot of tripods, cameras and traffic police posts both in radar ambushes and at the entrances to cities.
Before reaching Minsk there is the Khatyn memorial complex. This complex was opened in 1969 on the site of a village burned by the Nazis. On the territory of the complex is the only village cemetery in the world… 
On the eve of the holiday, the anniversary of the Great Patriotic War, the entire complex was full of workers who were painting and cleaning the area.
In general, I would like to note that during the entire trip, we did not meet a single village that did not honor those who died in that terrible war. In every village there is an obelisk, a memorial that reminds of days gone by and the fallen soldiers who defended these lands.
I would also like to note and draw your attention to the fact that gasoline prices throughout the republic are the same, regardless of the name of the gas station, the approximate cost of 92 gasoline is about 50 of our rubles, a little expensive, but no matter where you are: the capital or a small village, the price of gasoline will remain unchanged.
Minsk greeted us with good weather, cloudy but not rainy, a nice apartment with a talkative owner. We settled in the Minsk-rent area. Developed area, many supermarkets, shopping centers, public transport stops nearby, not the center, but once again taking a ride on the local trolleybuses and listening to the stops being announced in Belarusian is a pleasure. tickets for public transport can be bought both from the driver and at kiosks at bus stops. 
Although Minsk is the capital of Belarus, it did not amaze me with its scope and splendor. 
We stayed in Minsk for 2 days, but 2 days was enough to explore the entire city.
We started our route from the railway station and the twin towers. 
Next we went to Mikhailovsky Square 
Then we walked through the passage to Independence Square, where the Red Church is located. 
There are many Catholics living in Belarus, so we often see Catholic churches that are unusual for us. 
Then we walked along Independence Avenue to the upper city. 
Above is a photo of the Cathedral Church of St. Virgin Mary
City Hall 
Church of St. Joseph 
Memorial "Island of Tears" 
And of course, national cuisine, we recommend the cafe “Franziska”, a little expensive, but this is Minsk) - Minsk, Nezavisimosti Ave., 19 
Day 4, May 6, Stalin Line, sightseeing tour of Minsk
Depending on where you are staying in Minsk, the Stalin Line is 20-30 km away. “Stalin Line” is a historical and cultural complex located on the former defense line. 
The complex occupies a huge area... 
It was cool outside, so we hurried to find a cafe. There is a small cafe on the territory of the complex where you can order soldier’s buckwheat porridge and warm up with hot tea) After the complex we went back to Minsk, or rather to the “Vostok” district, where the famous library is located 
The library has a panoramic paid elevator that will take you to the top, to the observation deck. Neither the elevator nor the platform are worth the time and money spent. There is a cafe upstairs. The view from above is only of residential areas. We spent the rest of the day in the apartment, resting and gaining new strength.
Day 5, May 7, road to Grodno through the ruins of the Krevsky and Golshansky castles, through the Lida Castle, more than 300 km. on my way 
We set out from Minsk in the morning, the weather was terrible, it was raining, we flew quickly along the Moscow Ring Road and moved towards the castles. The first on the way was Krevo Castle, or rather its ruins (Krevo village) 
As we moved deeper into the republic, the weather began to change and we arrived at the ruins of the Golshansky castle (Golshany village) 
Further the road flowed to Lida and Lida Castle. Lida is famous not only for the Lida Castle, but also for Lida beer and kvass, which are just as good as those from Polotsk) 
The castle was restored and preserved to this day according to historical information. 
And so, we got to Grodno 
Day 6, May 8, Grodno
There are few attractions in Grodno; on the eve of holidays and weekends there were many tourists in the city, mainly from Poland
Fire Tower 
Old castle and new castle 
Nothing remarkable inside, not worth spending money on
Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross 
Cathedral Church of St. Francis Xavier - the most important attraction of Grodno 
The sights were explored quickly, so we went in search of attractions outside the guidebook, they turned out to be the forts of the Grodno Fortress (fortifications of the First World War) in the village of Naumovichi 
Day 7, May 9, Belovezhskaya Pushcha through Krasnoselsky chalk quarries and Ruzhany (castle in Ruzhany) 
n/a Kovali, Ros River 
Although they are shy, they are incredibly friendly and talkative swans, I loved them
Krasnoselsky chalk quarries are located in the village of Krasnoselsky, the quarries were formed from the extraction of chalk, everyone here will find a quarry to their taste and liking. People come here on vacation, for photo sessions. 
Ruzhany is a small settlement in the Grodno region. Ruzhany is famous for its castle, which is currently being actively restored. The castle in Ruzhany is majestic and amazes visitors with its scale. 
Next, the road to Belovezhskaya Pushcha runs through the village of Kamenyuki; along the entire route there are many signs that will lead you to Kamenyuki, and then to the main entrance to Belovezhskaya Pushcha (http://npbp.by/). The fresh air of the relic forest intoxicates your head. The hotel room in the Pushcha itself was booked in advance without prepayment (http://npbp.by/images/Dok/25.pdf). Prices for rooms are on the website; you can choose a room in a hotel on the territory of the Pushcha, or a room in a hotel near the Pushcha (500 meters from the main entrance). We didn’t regret staying at the hotel on site. The room was clean and comfortable, the staff was hospitable. The price of the room included a very hearty breakfast, which was worth it before the trip. On the territory of the Pushcha and at the entrance to it there are several cafes where you can eat, and in the main building there is a restaurant where you can try buffalo meat. The range of services of the Pushcha: both health-improving and cultural and entertainment. We chose a bike ride. If you have bicycles with you, you won’t have to pay for them to enter the Pushcha, only if you want to buy your own route. Let me make a reservation right away - this is not mandatory. There are signs on the territory of the Pushcha, so you can safely navigate by them and ride bicycles on your own without maps. We rented bicycles + a route of 15 km. You can buy a ticket separately to view the animals, but I also don’t advise you to spend money, if you take bicycles, then one way or another on the way back you will pass through all the animals and see them for free. We had a chance to admire them before going to bed, when it was already getting dark and they were putting them to bed, the evening walk only did us good, we slept very well. 
Day 8, May 10, Brest via Kamenets (distance 50-60 km) 
Kamenets is famous for the Kamenets Tower, which is located directly in the city. The Kamenets Tower is a monument of defense architecture, the tower stands on a high hill, inside the tower there is a local history museum. 
We got to Brest quickly, before moving in we managed to visit the Brest Fortress, I won’t describe it, everyone knows what it is, photos don’t convey all the sensations that you experience inside its walls 
After checking in, we had a snack and went to get acquainted with the city; the sights were within walking distance from us. The city is beautiful and modern, there are not many attractions. 
It is worth walking along 2 streets: Cosmonauts Boulevard and Gogol Street. 
Recommended place for lunch is the Dali cafe on Blvd. Cosmonauts
Church of the Exaltation of St. Cross 
This is where our acquaintance with Brest ends. The city has many branded stores of the Brest Distillery (sells Zubrovka and other liqueurs) and chocolate factories.
Day 9, May 11, road to Mir through the village. Kozishchi, Nesvizh Castle (about 350 km) 
In the village of Kozische there is a large ostrich farm; it is difficult to find without a navigator, because... sometimes we had to drive along a rural dirt road. Because We left Brest early and arrived at the farm at opening time, at 10 am. But as it turned out, the staff had not arrived yet and we had to wait about an hour for the opening, this really spoiled our impression. Before the excursion, we ordered breakfast: an ostrich egg omelette and ostrich sausages (there are always fresh eggs on sale and fresh meat for those who like it). The excursion was sluggish, as was the guide; I wanted to move on faster. 
Because The path ahead was not yet close, so we refreshed ourselves with ostrich and rushed on. The roads in Belarus deserve special attention; they are ideal. In some places there are signs that there will be bumps on the road, but in fact you don’t even notice them. No major repairs, no potholes, no pothole repairs. The roads are clean, staff walk around and mow the grass; this attitude towards roads in the country inspires respect.
Passing 300 km. we got to Nesvizh, the city in which Nesvizh Castle is located. I’ll immediately make a reservation that due to the long journey during the day, we did not have time to get inside, so we examined the castle only from the outside. He is beautiful. 
There are several hotels in Nesvizh, but the most interesting thing is that you can rent a room in the castle) niasvizh.by/ru/
Mir, Mir Castle. As in Nesvizh with the Mir Castle, you can also rent a room, but we couldn’t afford it, so we stayed at a hotel, the rooms and prices were reasonable (hotel “Mir”). I was tired from the road, so I preferred to sit outside the castle in the fresh air, while my husband went to the castle. 
Day 10, May 12, Vitebsk (about 380 km) 
Vitebsk is our last point of travel around Belarus. This city only strengthened my already positive attitude towards this country. 
Holy Assumption Cathedral 
Kirovsky Bridge 
City Hall 
Holy Resurrection Church 
Slavic Marketplace) 
Day 11, May 13, road home (900 km) 
We are going to the border and then... 
At the border they checked our passports and wished us a good trip)
With the onset of warm weather, the soul asks for new travels - take a car, train or bicycle and go explore Belarus. Together with the guide to Belarus VETLIVA, we have compiled a list of the main reasons to take a breeze through the country - from springs with healing water and eco-trails to powerful military tourism facilities, intimate museums and estates that have not lost their splendor.
BREST REGION
1. Puslovsky Palace
Kosovo, Ivatsevichi district
2. Sapega palace complex in Ruzhany
Ruzhany, Pruzhany district
In guidebooks, the ruins of the palace are proudly called the “Belarusian Versailles,” but you should come here not for the gorgeous views and interiors (not much has survived here), but rather for the powerful energy that is inherent in such places of power. Just imagine: at the beginning of the 17th century a castle was founded here - Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Lev Sapega took part in this matter. To make living in it not only comfortable, but also safe, three powerful defensive towers were added to the complex. Important state issues were discussed in Ruzhany, receptions of top managers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania came, and the Sapieha archive and the state treasury were also located here. After the defeat of the uprising, the Sapiehas left the residence and set up a weaving factory in the palace. During the First World War, the ensemble burned down, then they tried to restore it, but after the Second World War this matter was abandoned.
Now you can visit the museum (Urbanovicha st., 15a) and learn the whole history of the place - for this there are 4 halls and an exciting excursion.
How to get there? Your chance is a bus from Minsk or 244 km by car. In Ruzhany, look for the address of the museum - st. Urbanovicha, 15a.
3. Brest Fortress
Brest
A powerful defensive structure and a large-scale open-air museum of Soviet heroic monumentalism. The fortress itself was built in the 19th century and has an impressive history. In 1596, a church union was declared here, and during the First World War a decree on peace was signed. But the fortress became famous after the heroic events of World War II.
Follow the chronology: at the Volyn fortification, look into the Berestye Museum - archaeological excavations, where you can see the remains of a fortification and wooden buildings of the 11th-13th centuries, street pavements, even several household items. Then go to the Museum of the Defenders of the Brest Fortress. The territory of the museum is simply huge - it will take three hours to get around everything without losing your breath. The most creepy experience is in Fort V - a semi-abandoned fortification with armored doors, narrow loopholes, underground corridors and complete silence. Most likely, you will be the only tourist here.
How to get there? The easiest way is to go by train - € 4-10, three to four hours - and you’re there. The same 350 km can be covered by bus (€ 7-9) or by your own car (M1 highway).
4. Olmansky swamps
Stolin district
These swamps occupy 75% of the area of the Stolin region - the only complex of raised, transitional and lowland swamps preserved in our natural state. Ecologists cannot get enough of it: 687 species of plants, 151 species of birds (25 from the Red Book) and 26 species of mammals live here. Interestingly, in the 60s of the last century there was an aviation training ground in Olmany, so there are still unexploded shells and bombs in the swamps.
Of particular interest is the eco-trail, which is almost one and a half kilometers long. It goes along Lake Bolshoye Zasominoye, on the other side of which there is Ukraine. The second route will take you to a 40-meter tower, from which it is very convenient to explore the surrounding area and biodiversity. Ask the locals where the “Sea of Herodotus” is - Bolshoye and Maloye Zasominoye and 23 other lakes.
Please note that if you are a foreigner, you will have to pay 10 basic (€ 114) in advance to visit the swamps. More information about excursions -.
How to get there? A classic of the genre - a bus or minibus from Minsk to Stolin.
5. Belovezhskaya Pushcha
Belarus is a source of pride - the largest and oldest forest in Europe, protected by UNESCO. Yes, there are bison in the wild here. Yes, you can even hunt them (if you have the conscience). Yes, it was here that the agreement on the collapse of the USSR was signed. Yes, this is where the Belarusian Grandfather Frost lives (his residence is open even in the summer - but his grandfather’s suit is lightweight). Breathe the relic air, ride a bicycle, feed the bison in the enclosure with bread from your hand, go and look at the Kamenets Vezha, which is already more than 700 years old.
How to get there? We recommend covering the distance Minsk - Brest by train, and then going to Kamenets by bus. For the more impatient, there are direct minibuses.
6. Jesuit College
Pinsk, st. Lenina, 1
Pinsk is the second in Belarus in terms of the number of preserved attractions (in first place is Grodno). The collegium building, built in the 17th century as a super-prestigious educational institution, especially deserves attention. They took talented students there regardless of their income. If you walk around the building, the view will be different: from the river it is an impenetrable fortress, from the courtyard it is an open book. Now the college has a nice museum of Belarusian Polesie, where you can look at non-smelly stuffed animals or sit on a wooden bicycle. Further along Lenin there is a Franciscan monastery with the “Pinsk Madonna” and cool magnets, the Butrimovich Palace (it now houses the registry office), the Horde House and the campus of Polesie University. The embankment in Pinsk is 2.5 km long - you can walk for a long time with a beautiful view.
How to get there? You can get there in three hours by minibus - prepare €3 for the journey. Once every two days you can take an evening train - you get on in Minsk at 17.37, at 22.55 you are in Pinsk. Very comfortably!
7. Polesie
Brest region
The largest of the European wetlands, which occupies approximately 30% of the map of Belarus. Terra incognita is the size of a compact country, with isolated villages and indigenous inhabitants, the Poleshuks, who have their own distinct language. To experience all the charm of life in Polesie, you need to wait for the spring flood of Pripyat. The ideal option is to take a boat and sail through Belarusian villages, which are flooded every spring. Choose to suit your taste - from Turov to Pinsk.
How to get there? How to get to Pinsk - see above.
THE GRODNO REGION
8. Mir Castle
Mir, st. Krasnoarmeyskaya, 2
9. Kolozha Church
Grodno, st. Kolozha, 6
The Borisoglebskaya or Kolozhskaya Church appeared on a pagan site near Castle Hill in Grodno back in the 11th century - this is one of the few buildings from the period of Ancient Rus' in Belarus, although it was notably rebuilt. The church is not plastered on the outside, and therefore you can look at all the engineering solutions of the builders of that time. The church stands on the steep bank of the Neman
How to get there? From any point in the country you can get to Grodno by train - the city is connected to 142 stations in Belarus. Trains leave Minsk several times a day, and electrons go even more often. Buses and minibuses are also at your disposal (€ 7).
10. Church of the Holy Trinity in Gervyaty
Gervyaty village, Ostrovetsky district
The tallest church in Belarus is 61 meters (24-storey building!), and the only one built according to all the canons of the Neo-Gothic style. It was erected on the site of a wooden church of the 16th century by the architect Alshalovsky. For construction, a brick yard was specially organized or, in parallel, eggs were collected from all the surrounding areas - they were added to the lime solution for strengthening. The slate was specially brought from Germany. Here you can find out what a flying buttress looks like - an external semi-arch that distributes the load from the main wall and stands separately (remember Notre Dame de Paris) - this is completely atypical for Belarus. Be sure to listen to the mass - it is in Belarusian, Polish and Lithuanian, and take a walk in the park - it is perhaps even cooler than the church. By the way, in the surrounding area too.
How to get there? The best option, of course, is to go by car. If this is not possible, go to Ostrovets, and then hitchhike to Gervyat (via Vornyany).
Nemnovo, Grodno district
A shipping canal built in the 19th century to create a route from the Black Sea to the Baltic. There are only two cool engineering structures, thought out so cleverly, long ago, and preserved almost in their original form - in the UK and Sweden. The length of the canal is 101 km, 22 of which are on the territory of Belarus in the border zone. Hello, simplified visa regime! Gateways, drawbridges, columns - it’s amazing how harmoniously everything works. You can ride along the canal on the motor ship "Neman", stroll along it on foot, go to the canal museum, go kayaking, and look at the surviving estate in Svyatsk, created in the 18th century according to the design of the Italian architect Giuseppe de Sacco.
How to get there? Start from Minsk by car (direction Volozhin - Lida - Skidel, 327 km). From Grodno you can go by car or bus (Grodno - Goryachki, Grodno - Nemnovo, Grodno - Kalety, stop "Augustovsky Canal" or "Sonichi").
12. Slonim Synagogue
Slonim, st. Sovetskaya, 1
Baroque synagogue from 1642, one of the oldest in the country. The dilapidated building has preserved its pretentious and rich interior decoration. The synagogue was badly damaged during the War of 1812, but was quickly restored - the Jewish community in Slonim was then considered one of the most powerful in the country. At the end of the 19th century, there were 21 synagogues in the city, and more than 70% of the residents were Jews. In 2000, the building was returned to believers, but no restoration work was carried out. Be sure to look at the stucco molding, aron ha-kadesh and paintings - all of this is perfectly preserved.
How to get there? Jump on a minibus and you'll be there in two and a half hours.
13. Murovankovskaya church-fortress
Murovanka village, Shchuchinsky district
The 600-year-old temple was conceived not only as a place for worship, but also as a defensive structure - in the 16th century there was no other way. The church looks like a real castle - two-meter thick walls, loophole windows, towers. The temple in Murovanka survived many wars and was severely damaged during the Russian-Polish War. In 1882, a major restoration was carried out; a bell tower was built on one of the towers. A successful mix of Gothic and Renaissance, stone, brick and rose window. The brick, by the way, is special - the “royal lily” - a symbol of the purity of the Mother of God. Historical facts and legends say that many underground passages were dug from the church - however, now it is not clear where they started from and where they led.
How to get there? You can get from Minsk to Shchuchin by bus; the church itself is located 3 km from the village of Mozheikovo.
14. Novogrudok Castle
Novogrudok
Novogrudok is an ancient Belarusian city, which was the first capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The main point of attraction in the city is the ruins of a castle that stood here in the 12th century. 6 centuries after the first mention, it was destroyed by the Swedes - almost to its present state. Of all the structures, two walls remained - Kostelnaya and Shield - opposite each other. Castle Hill offers stunning views - there's no better place for a picnic. Be sure to visit the house-museum of Adam Mickiewicz, who was born and lived in Novogrudok, go to the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, perfectly preserved in 1714, pay attention to the St. Boris and Gleb Church, which is already more than 500 years old.
How to get there? The easiest way to get from Minsk is by minibus (€ 2) or bus, but you shouldn’t count on the railway.
15. Church of St. Michael the Archangel
Synkovichi, Zelvensky district
The largest defense-type temple in Belarus. The powerful impregnable church was built in the 15th century - the towers, loopholes are not very high, the walls are thick - this is a real small castle. The entrance gate, by the way, also deserves attention - it has been preserved since 1880. Within walking distance is the building of a 19th-century estate, which was later turned into a distillery. By the way, there is an interesting legend about why the place is called Synkovichi. The temple was built by father and son. At some point, the son fell from the scaffolding and fell to his death. His father shouted to him in despair: “Son, son!” This is how the name of the village surrounding the church appeared. Above the entrance to the church you can see a ledge that resembles a coffin lid.
How to get there? From Minsk you can get to Zelva relatively easily - by regular bus. Further - only by car or hitchhiking.
16. Chetvertinsky Palace
Village Zheludok, Shchuchinsky district
One of the most cinematic places in the country - it’s not for nothing that the first (and last) Belarusian horror film called “Masakra” was filmed here. There are movie decorations even now: plywood tiles, painted traces of a fire on the façade. From Soviet times, a cinema club with a booth and star symbols remained in the palace.
17. Krevsky Castle
Krevo
Perhaps the most picturesque ruins from our guide. The castle in Krevo dates back to the 14th century. These walls have seen a lot: in 1382, Prince Keistut, Vitovt’s father, was killed here, in 1385 a union was signed, in the 16th century the castle repelled the attacks of the Tatars and Muscovites, and already in the 19th century it was no longer considered a sensible fortification and was abandoned. The ruins were preserved in 1929 - they still stand that way.
Listen to the wind blowing between the walls, go to the beautiful Alexander Nevsky Church or the austere church, find the former pagan temple - even though Krevo is now considered a village, there are plenty of witnesses of its former greatness here.
How to get there? Minsk - Smorgon - bus or train, and then on a light green MAZ regional bus with curtains.
MINSK REGION
18. Nesvizh Castle
Nesvizh
In the 16th century, Nesvizh became the family nest of the Radziwills, the main dynasty in the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. For example, the King of Poland often visited here, and representatives of the magnate family occupied the most important positions in the state. You understand the scale of the buildings - the palace and park complex occupies 90 hectares. In Nesvizh Castle you can look at the early Renaissance, Baroque, neoclassicism and modernism. Ask to tell you about the revenge of Bonna Sforza and show you the gilded apostles as tall as a man.
How to get there? You can get to Nesvizh by driving from Minsk along the Brest highway. If you decide to go by bus, you can find the schedule.
19. City of the Sun in Minsk
Minsk
Minsk is a witness and victim of the imperial ambitions of the Soviet authorities. You can feel this while walking along Independence Avenue - a straight asphalt arrow that stretches 15 km and cuts the city in half. The writer Arthur Klinov coined the term “City of the Sun” to refer to the Stalinist Empire style in Minsk. Minsk as the main artery of the Big Communist Dream, built in the likeness of Rome. The station square with the “gates”, Lenin Square, Marx, Kirov, Sverdlov streets - the integral development of an ideal city for life in the opinion of the Soviet authorities.
How to get there? We tell in .
20. Khatyn
Khatyn village / Mokrad village, Logoisk district
High-quality Soviet documentaries. was created on the site of a village that was burned by the Nazis during World War II. All the inhabitants were herded into a barn and set on fire - and the same was done with the inhabitants of 628 villages. To prepare for your trip, be sure to check out the 1985 film “Come and See” directed by Elem Klimov. Information on tickets and opening hours of the complex.
How to get there? If you are traveling by car, take the M3 highway (59 km). There is no public transport - if you hitch a ride, you will have to walk 5 km from the highway.
21. Nalibokskaya Pushcha
Volozhin district
The largest forest area in Belarus is three times larger than Malta! Here is the richest flora, a quarter of the plants are medicinal, many are listed in the Red Book. Animals are also fine - for example, 29 species of rare birds live here. The Pushcha is surrounded by three large rivers - the Neman, Berezina and Usa, and therefore the places here are incredibly picturesque. And not particularly accessible - like Svaneti in Georgia. For example, during World War II, 20 thousand people hid in Nalibokskaya Pushcha. Be bold or daring and make a forced march into the thick of the ancient forest. Be sure to look at Lake Kroman, the Lavrishevsky Monastery, founded in the 13th century, the Tyshkevich estate in the village of Vyaloye and swim naked in the river - here you can afford it.
How to get there? Your only chance is a car; you can get there from Minsk in an hour.
22. Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Strochitsa
Ozertso village, Minsk region
Peasant Belarus in miniature. An open-air museum, where the ancient buildings of three regions of Belarus are presented: the Central part, Poozerie and the Dnieper region. Ethnological research will have to be carried out on the material of the church, parish school, mill, bathhouse and peasant huts. All this is scattered in picturesque fields - don’t forget to charge your phone for photos. To get in the mood, we advise you to wave some horseradish at the tavern at the entrance!
How to get there? All details are on the website.
GOMEL REGION
23. Gomel Park
Gomel
You need to go to the palace and park ensemble in Gomel in the spring, when the huge park turns green and blooms, the Sozh becomes full of water, and the evenings are already warm enough to wander thoughtfully near the Rumyantsev-Paskevich Palace and look at the dark water. The palace ensemble is the largest piece of historical buildings in size, preserved without breaking its monolithic structure. Russian Empress Catherine II presented Gomel to her favorite Count Rumyantsev for fun, and he built it on the banks of the Sozh. Then the palace passed to the commander Paskevich, who, by a willful decision, built a whole complex of outbuildings: a hunter’s house, a winter garden, several churches. The best preserved landscape park is 24 hectares - you can walk here for half a day if you first refresh yourself with Gomel Spartak chocolate with 90% cocoa.
24. Gerard Manor
Demyanki, Dobrush district
A nice manor with a pseudo-Russian style - in the resettlement zone. The red brick building was built at the expense of a Russian official, Governor General of Finland Nikolai Gerard in the second half of the 19th century. The estate stands on a hillock crossed by a moat - a bridge plays a decorative role, a perfectly preserved park with rare species of trees and amazing silence. If you are looking for a place where there will definitely be no tourists, this is the place for you. By the way, you can get here completely legally.
How to get there? You can get to Radunitsa - then they let you in without a pass. The rest of the time, the pass must be issued in Dobrush. To get to Dobrush, buy tickets for the Minsk - Gomel train, and then take the train or commuter bus.
25. Museum of Old Believers
Vetka, Red Square, 5
In the 17th century, the city of Vetka was chosen by persecuted Old Believers. Pathologically tolerant Belarusians did not touch them, and therefore Old Believer icons, manuscripts and printed books of the 16th-19th centuries, collections of textiles and household items are still preserved here in excellent condition. The museum is interactive - here, for example, you can learn traditional weaving.
How to get there? How to get to Gomel, and then take a commuter bus - you need to cover only 22 km.
MOGILEV REGION
26. Bobruisk Fortress
Bobruisk
This powerful fortification is a planned construction in preparation for the war with Napoleon. To build it, they actually destroyed the city that existed here before. The fortress did withstand a long siege by the French, and after the war it served as a prison. Rumor has it that in one of the forts of the Bobruisk fortress there is an egg-shaped cell in which prisoners went crazy after a couple of weeks of imprisonment. It is not for nothing that Herzen, remembering Bobruisk, wrote: “Let Siberia, let it be anything, but not this terrible prison on the Berezina River.” Now it’s just fun to climb around the fortress that has grown into the ground, for example, to visit an abandoned guardhouse, rebuilt from a Jesuit church. Now the fortress consists of 7 bastions stretched over an area of several km. Some are concreted, others can be climbed up and down. Bring a flashlight! The fortress burned several times, so don’t wear your dress pants - you might get covered in soot. Aliens seem to have landed a few steps from the fortress. In fact, this is the Bobruisk Ice Arena for 7 thousand spectators.
How to get there? An hour and a half by train from Minsk on the fashionable Stadler train (or 2 on a regular one) - and you’re already walking around colorful Bobruisk and trying to count all the mentions of beavers. The second option is to travel by bus or private minibus.
27. Estate of the Count Tolstoy family
Grudinovka village, Bykhovsky district
One of the most beautiful and mysterious places in the country is the Tolstoy count's house. And although Lev Nikolaevich never made it home, it’s worth a look at the estate. A two-story manor with domes, columns, a grand staircase and an open terrace overlooking the park awaits you. Wander around the 10-hectare park, find the Siberian cedar, which has been growing here for more than 100 years, walk through the palace - most recently there was a school and sanatorium for sick children here, and therefore there are green-painted walls and a soviet wardrobe with numbers - strange contrast with
DAY 1: MINSK
We arrived in Minsk on a rainy May morning and immediately headed to the VIVA hotel to leave our things. A huge plus of the hostel is that it is located within walking distance from the station, in a fairly convenient location. We booked our seats in advance, since everything is usually busy during the May holidays. The cost is about 600 rubles per person in a four-bed room.
If you check-in before 12, you can leave your luggage in the luggage room.
The main disadvantage of the hostel is very little space. There is no separate kitchen, the refrigerator and microwave are located right in the hallway, and you have to have breakfast at low, uncomfortable coffee tables near the entrance and reception.
The bunk beds are very low, you cannot sit on the ground floor, you can only lie down. There are only two showers combined with toilets in the entire hostel, so getting to the toilet in the morning is quite difficult. The pluses are very good comfortable mattresses and friendly staff.
Last year I was also in Minsk, but we stayed at the Jazz Hostel. Jazz has much more space, a spacious, cozy kitchen, and the cost was about 350 rubles. per person in a 9-bed room (it was not the season and we lived in a 9-bed room alone). But there is one significant disadvantage that outweighs all the advantages - it is very far from the center. First you need to travel 20-30 minutes by tram to the final station, then walk through the private sector for another 10-15 minutes.
Having left our things, we went for a walk around the city with Zmitser. He is simply a wonderful person and an excellent guide who knows almost everything about Belarus. Zmitser (or Dima in Russian) studies at the Belarusian State University with a degree in History of Belarus, knows all the most interesting places, can answer any question about Belarus and loves his country so much that he infects those around him with this:-) He was the one who invited me to see Belarus last year (then we went along the route Minsk-Gomel-Polotsk-Vitebsk), and I liked it so much that I wanted to come back this year. Here is a link to his page: http://by.holiday.by/gid/111
Since it was raining on the first day of our trip, Dima suggested a route that would take place indoors as much as possible.
Coming out of the railway station to the gates of Minsk and turning left, we found ourselves at the Belarusian State University at the Faculty of International Relations. Entrance to all Belarusian universities is free, and we calmly climbed to the very last floor (I think the 12th), where a wonderful panorama of the Station Square opens up (on the right is the railway station, on the left is the Minsk gate):
And from below the gates of Minsk look like this:
The gate was built in 1954, on each tower there are 4 sculptures: a worker, a collective farmer, an engineer and a soldier (the sculptures were dismantled in the 70s)
From the gate it is convenient to walk to the main square of the city - Nezalezhnosti (Independence) Square. On the square there is the Government House, the Belarusian State Pedagogical University, Lenin (what would we do without him!), the Main Post Office, the Red Church, and underground the Stolitsa shopping center, very reminiscent of Okhotny Ryad in Moscow.
BSPU building:
One of the unusual places in Minsk is the National Library of Belarus. According to the “Village of Joy” website, which evaluates the most amazing, interesting, fantastic and incomprehensible things in the world, the National Library in Minsk entered the TOP 50 most unusual buildings in the world and took 24th place. And according to the American magazineTravel + Leisure library included in the list of the ugliest buildings in the world.
Books inside the library move in small train boxes under the ceiling. When you walk in, you can’t even believe that you’re in a library. Travelers need to obtain a one-time pass using their passport. The building hosts many exhibitions, and there are excursions to the observation deck. But there is nothing special to see there - the building is located on the outskirts (Vostok metro station), there are only gray residential areas around). But the exhibitions are quite interesting. Now the year of frugality is underway in Belarus, so the following posters are hung everywhere:
In the evening, the library building looks quite unusual, like a large New Year's toy:
DAY 2: MINSK
It’s great to walk around the center of Minsk - no matter where you turn, you’ll find something interesting everywhere.
It is especially interesting to walk around the Trinity Suburb, the historical center of Minsk. And although all the houses here have been restored and do not give the impression of being old, the atmosphere is still somehow special, not the same as in other parts of the city:
Near the Trinity Suburb you can ride a catamaran on the Svisloch River, it’s inexpensive, however, there are restrictions on where you can sail and where you can’t. And when we began to explore the route, it turned out that it was practically impossible to sail anywhere except around the Island of Tears.
The ducks followed us in the hope that we would treat them with something.
And the fishermen were happy to be photographed
We arrived at Easter
In Minsk, Orthodox churches coexist with Catholic ones, it seems that Catholics and Orthodox are approximately equal, although according to official data in Belarus, 80% are Orthodox and 14% are Catholics
The shopping center on Nemiga (Nemiga is an underground river) still has a Soviet atmosphere, as if from childhood. But for shopping, in my opinion, Belarus is not the best place. And although it is generally accepted that Belarusian things are of quite high quality (this is indeed true), the models are most often somehow outdated, as if from the Soviet Union, and it is quite difficult to find something truly beautiful (but if you set such a goal for yourself, it is possible) .