Places of interest

Minsk is a compact city, and much of it can be visited by foot. Whether you'd prefer to go your own way or to join a guided tour, please see our Tours section.

The National Art Museum is home to a remarkable collection of Belarusian and European art, ceramics, enamels and other artifacts most of which were collected after the WWII during which many museums were pillaged by the Nazi troops. There are more than 2500 items and almost each one is fascinating. (20 Lenina Street).

Located in the basement of the elegant constructivism-style Palace Of The Republic, the gallery offers a thought-provoking programme of temporary exhibitions and workshops. It displays works by local and international artists. (1 Oktyabrskaya Square, The Palace of Repubilc).

Explore three floors of galleries and displays in Great Patriotic War Museum, including a permanent exhibition about the Nazi Crimes in USSR and a changing program of special temporary exhibitions. Chronicling the conflict of the Great Patriotic War, the Museum's vast Collections range from photographs and personal letters to side arms and military equipment. The museum will soon be relocated – hurry up to see its Soviet version! (25a Nezavisimosty Avenue)

Central Botanical Garden provides a tranquil sanctuary from the hectic pace of city living, with its mature trees and grassland. Founded in 1932 it is today the major center of preservation of biological diversity in the country. Covering 153 hectares it is a smoking-free area – and it is no surprise that the garden has become a favorite spot for picnicking and walking in spring-autumn period. (Opposite 91 Nezavisimosty Avenue)

Central Gorky Park stands proudly in the heart of Minsk, and as the oldest park in the capital. The park is open all year round and offers two cafes, a sports ground, a children’s playground and hosts a number of events and activities from time to time (Near Victory Square).

Boulder Museum is a quiet and unspoiled area, much loved by walkers and little visited by tourists. Located in Uruchie district, not far from shops, cafes and other amenities, this park-museum serves as a recreation zone for the citizens. If looked at from above, the boulders represent the map of Belarus. A few cobbled paths are waiting to be explored (Uruchie District, opposite 50 Russianova Street).

Khatyn Village monument was constructed in 1969 to commemorate the victims of the Nazi occupants and their collaborators. Belarus was severely destroyed during the Great Patriotic War and a few hundred settlements were flattened to the ground together with the dwellers and never restored. Mound of Glory erected in the same year symbolizes the unification of the fronts of the Soviet Army before the counter-offense in summer 1944 (Please, check our Tours section for more information).

Dudutki is a magnificent 19^th century Belarusian farmstead, reconstructed to give an idea of the village life of that time. In this open-air museum amongst other things one can find a mill, a forgery, a backery and the only one moonshine (samogon) brewing machine in the country that operates on the legal basis (Check our Tours section for more information).

Ozertso museum doesn’t offer such a diverse range of services, however, one can find it even more fascinating than Dudutki. Fitted into a few hectares of land just 10 kilometers off the city this complex exhibits houses and other peasant buildings from various regions of Belarus. In churches, windmills and barns numerous genuine artifacts from everyday rural life are on display. Most of them are even used nowadays.