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Belarus’ capital and biggest city, Minsk, offers a modern take on the authentic Soviet experience, with its tall buildings, wide boulevards, and swathes of forest parks that remain relatively unchanged since they were constructed during the ‘40s and ‘50s Stalinist era. Although it is the center of the Belarus’ president’s iron fist, Minsk is also the hub of Soviet art and culture, particularly theater, opera, and nightlife.
Medieval and Russian architecture
During the 11th century, Minsk was originally founded as a provincial city, and then in 1242, it became a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, one of early Europe’s largest states. In 1793, it was annexed by Russia, and from 1919 to 1991 became the capital of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. After WWII, 80 percent of the buildings in Minsk were in rubbles. Among the few that were spared from the war are the Baroque Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Spirit from the 16th century; the Neo-Romanesque Roman Catholic Red Church, which was immediately built after Imperial Russia granted religious freedom; and the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, the biggest church constructed during the imperial period. The rest of the city was rebuilt from scratch.
Museums, theaters and libraries
As the cultural center of Belarus, Minsk is the home of the first theaters, museums, cinemas and libraries in the land. Among the major theaters are National Academic Big Opera and Ballet and Belarusian State Musical Theater, which specializes on Russian performances. For museums, among the prominent ones are the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, Belarusian National Arts Museum, and Belarusian National History and Culture Museum. The keeper of the country’s biggest collection of books is the UFO-looking National Library of Belarus.
Slices of nature
Due to massive industrialization, the city now also includes hotel towers, business centers, swimming pools, a modern aquatic park, and an extensive transport system that includes tramways and trolleys. Amid these modern facilities are pockets of green like Chelyuskinites Park and Gorky Park, forests that dabble as recreational sites.
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