MINSK Economic Travel Guide
Minsk? Why not (?)?
When we said we were going to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, our friends didn’t just look at us like we were crazy, they also expressed it.. Why would a person go to Minsk? Then, as you are doing now, we started to investigate, what is this Minsk thing..
Generally, places to visit in Minsk seemed very limited.. While we were thinking that maybe that is it, we came across this article from the famous British newspaper Telegram.. (Click efemm) Let’s summarize for those who are too lazy to read: Europe’s last dictator country! The name of the intelligence agency is still KGB (More information, the secret police in the city were still called KGB and civilian police were around), according to the World Health Organization, it is the second country with the highest alcohol addiction in the world, a few countries that have the death penalty.. (Let’s not make it more depressing)
As if it would be more attractive when there are penalties, our curiosity increased even more and we said we are going to Warsaw, why not go to Minsk as well.. So we didn’t go specifically to Minsk, no lie.
It was a bit of a hassle to enter the country.. You can read about this in detail in our blog post, “going from Minsk to Warsaw”.. And we entered the city…
How bad can a country with a white stork symbol be? Is not it? Here we made exactly the right decision. Buildings with Soviet Socialist architecture, spacious and wide streets, between two rivers that make us forget that it has no shore to the sea, Minsk surprised us.. By the way, the name of Minsk comes from the river Menu River next to the city.. Anyway, we lowered our expectations so much that we said men have done everything, gentlemen, and out loud.. Fortunately, since the city is not touristy and there are no tourists other than us, we were able to talk about everything from the police to the regime.. In fact, the crime rate in Belarus is very low compared to other European countries.. So you don’t walk around in the head seat that much.. Another thing that surprises us is the fusion of modernism with the historical fabric.. For example, the ground floor of the House of Fashion is KFC, but its coating is a relief symbolizing “togetherness”.. How can we not be surprised..
2. Minsk was one of the cities most affected by the World War II.. Until 1991, it was the capital of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic.. rescued from WWII. It deserved the title of Hero City because it was one of the cities that resisted the war the most in 1974.
2 million people live in the city built on an area of 410 square meters, they are as if they are hidden in their homes.. There are no people around.. On top of that, the city is quite green, you can navigate in the form of mother nature and me.. Also;
The official language is Beralusian.
It’s cold in Minsk! So you can get cold even in summer. The temperature is usually at most 15 degrees.
No visa is required to go to Minsk.
TRANSPORTATION TO MINSK: HOW TO GET TO MINSK?
By bus: You can go to Minsk by bus from Moscow, Lviv or many European countries such as Italy, France, Czech Republic. To go to Minsk by bus, you can take a look at Ecolines or goeuro sites.
By train: Vilnius, Riga, Kyiv, Moscow, Warsaw, St.. You can go to St. Petersburg, Prague by train.
By Air: You can take a connecting flight from Istanbul with Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines, Belavia, Pegasus, Ukraine Intl, Ukraine Intl. It takes 2 hours by direct flight.
- Transportation from Minsk Airport (National Airport Minsk) to Minsk city center: The airport is 42 km away from the city center.. You can reach by shuttle buses. It takes 1 hour by public bus number 300Э and 15 minutes by shuttles 173Э, 1400-TK and 1430-TK. You can buy your ticket from the ticket machines at the bus terminal in Tsentralnyi in the city center, from the bus station at Gate 5-6 at the airport or from the driver.
MINSK INTERCITY TRANSPORTATION
You can use the bus, tram or metro in Minsk city center. There are two metro lines and 29 metro stops. Minsk metro ranks fourth among the 16 metros of the Commonwealth of Independent States according to the number of passengers it carries.. In the first three; Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Kyiv. The metro is open between 05:30 and 00:40. You can get coins for one way. Price: Br 0.60 (approx.$0.30)
ACCOMMODATION IN MINSK: WHERE TO STAY IN MINSK
Leninsky, Moskovsky You can stay in the parts of the , Sovetsky, Tsentralny Districts that are close to the city center of Minsk.
THAT SHOULD BE DONE IN MINSK?
- Local people passing through Freedom Square watching the people
- Visit Zair Azgur Memorial Museum and Workshop and Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, Afghan War Memorial On Island Of Tears, All Saints Church. Visiting the Victory Monument and watching the guards change the eternal fire
- Taking the subway
- Spending time in the Belarusian Circus
- Lying around at the Minsk Cat Cafe
- Visiting the Mnisk National Library
- Secretly photographing the KGB Building
WHAT TO EAT IN MINSK? WHAT TO DRINK?
Belarusian food is similar to Russian, Polish, Lithuanian dishes and is also under Jewish influence… But the thing that catches our attention more than Minsk dishes: not being exposed to radiation in Belarus it’s done! The place where the Chernobyl disaster took place in 1986 is very close to the southeastern border of Belarus.. According to our research, it is necessary to drink water from the tap, not to buy open foods from bad markets and not to consume mushrooms.. Other than that there is no problem. We recommend that you do your food shopping from well-known supermarket chains.
The delicacies to be eaten in Minsk are: Borsch Soup, in summer khaladnik soup (cold borscht soup), Draniki (mixed with grated potatoes, flour and egg and shaped like pancakes) ), dumplings, babka
Tell Minsk our restaurant recommendations:
- Kuchmistr (Кухмистр): Belarusian food Address: ul. Karla Marxa 40 (ул. Карла Маркса, 40)
- Svobody 4: Wine bar Address: пл. Свободы, 4
- Lido (Лідо): For healthy food Address: Prospekt Nezavisimosti, 49/1
- Kamyanitsa (Камяніца): Address: Pervomayskaya str. 18
SHOPPING IN MINSK: WHAT TO BUY FROM MINSK?
Maryoshka, hand-painted wooden spoons, wicker or especially linen clothes, Straw horses and chickens for children, Chocolate from Kommunarka or Spartak brands, underwear from Milavitsa from Soviet times, ceramic or glass embroidery
WHERE TO SHOP IN MINSK?
Komarovsky Covered Market (or Komarovka Market) and Galileo Shopping Center are what we tried and recommended. Otherwise, there are many shopping malls in the city..
MINSK CITY TOUR
Click for the map view of our Minsk walking route..
Gorky Park (Maksim Gorky Central Children’s Park): A city park built in the 1800s, named after Maksim Gorky.. For us it was one of the most beautiful city parks we have ever seen.. There are cafes, restaurants and entertainment areas for children.. A great place to rest in the city to get away from the city.. Ne-Kempinski Hotel, the building you will see on the other bank of the Svislach River, which marks the border on one side of the park.. Don’t say what is this place like us, then shshshs..
Belarussian State Circus: Belarus’ famous circus 19. It was opened towards the end of the century.
Janki Kupaly Park: It takes its name from the famous Ballarusian literary scholar Yanka Kupala. It leaves Gorky Park with the Svislach River.
Minsk Opera and Ballet House (National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre): It is recommended to buy tickets online before you go to watch opera and ballet performances.
Island of Tears: The island, which is connected to the historical Trinity District of Minsk by a footbridge, is located on the Svislac River. It was built in memory of the Belarusian Soviet soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan between 1979-1989.. There is a chapel in the middle of the island, surrounded by statues of grieving mothers, siblings and widows of soldiers.. There is also an angel statue, which we cannot give details, but we were very impressed.
When you look at the Isle of Tears, you will see the modern building on the opposite side; Minsk Sports Palace (Minsk Sport Palace; Dvortsa Sporta).
Follow the same street, namely Pobeditelev Boulevard (Pieramožcaŭ Avenue);
- BelExpo exhibition center,
- State Flag Square, which means State Flag Square, and
- Victory Park. In Victory Park, there is the Great Patriotic War Museum or the Belarusian National Art Museum (Belarusian Great Patriotric War Museum or Belarusian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War).. The museum on Pobeditelev Boulevard was established by the decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Belarus in 1943.
- A little ahead of the Victory Park is the Independence Palace.
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Trinity Suburb (Trinity Suburb): In other words, the old town, the oldest surviving district of Minsk. In the list of places to visit in Minsk, there are old and colorful 2-3-storey houses that make up the historical texture of the city.. When you pass the short bridge that connects the Isle of Tears to the land, it will be right in front of you.
Minsk Bar Street: So that in Ulitsa Zybitskaya a complete paradise for bars and cafes. We tried them all, but Tummany had a good one.
Minsk Old Town Square: The must-see places in Minsk are gathered together. Places you will see;
- Holy Spirit Cathedral: The center of the Belarusian Orthodox Church. The original of the church, which has two towers, dates back to the 1500s.
- Minsk City Hall
- Cat Museum: If you get bored of historical places in Minsk, here is an alternative museum for us.. Opened in 2015, the museum has exhibits with cats.. It can be interesting to eat and drink with cats at the cat cafe.
- St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church: Completed in 1752, the church has Baroque architecture.
(Minsk City Hall): Firstly, according to the Magdeburg laws, 16. Although it was built in the 19th century, it was damaged by fire, invasion and wars and was restored in 2003 with its current appearance.
In the old town square of Minsk. We continue by gliding through other important squares in the immediate vicinity.
- Aleksandrovsky Square (Aleksandrovsky Square): The square, which was founded in 1836, is also known as the Central Square. The main importance of the square is that it is located in front of the Palace of the Republic of Minsk.
- Oktyabrskaya Square (Oktoberpl Square or Kastryčnickaja Square; Oktyabrskaya Square or October Square): Metro It attracted the attention of the world with the discovery of mammoth statues during its excavations.. Before that 19. It was a market place until the first half of the century.. In addition, there is a building that represents Kilometer Zero, that is, the starting point of all roads in Belarus.
Pishchalauski Castle: There are historical castle and prison ruins 1 km from the city center.
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Minsk Independence Square (Minsk Independence Square): The most important feature of the wide square is that a historical church is located here.
- St. Simon and Helena Cathedral (or the Red Church): Completed in 1910 and The construction of the church, designed by Polish architect Tomasz Pajzderski, took five years.. It is located behind the Independence Square with its tower made of red cream.. Entry is free.
Gates of Minsk: The twin towers located in Railway Station Square will be the first iconic symbols of Minsk you will see if you come to Minsk by train.. Two symmetrical towers, in the style of Stalin classicism, that is, Empire.. In other words, the combination of art deco, classicism and Baroque style.
Belarusian National History and Culture Museum is located at the end of Independence Square.
Belarusian National Arts Museum; The National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus: Besides being one of the best museums in Belarus, it is the largest museum of Belarus.
If you say how far art history goes, we say you should visit the area located 1 block behind the museum.. Or, if you want, you can get off at the Pervomaiskaya metro stop when your trip is over.. Destination;
In the area where Graffiti Street (Vulica Kastrycnickaja, Kastrycnickaja Street) is located, there are murals on the facades of the houses. In addition, in the small park at the place separated from the Svislach River by a small bridge, there is the Victor Tsoi Memorial Wall, dedicated to the Soviet composer, singer and the founder of the Kino music group that influenced a period.. Look carefully or you may not see it..
Our Minsk city center tour actually ends here. But since everything in Minsk is within walking distance, if you are not satisfied like us, continue on your way.. Actually, we head towards the east side of Gorky Park, where we started our Minsk tour, and follow Praspyekt Nyezalyezhnastsi Street.
Liberty Square or Aleksandrovsky Square (Victory Square): II. In addition to being a tourist attraction, the square with a 40-meter-high obelisk erected in memory of Belarusians who died in World War II also serves as a pilgrimage for Belarusians with an unquenchable fire.
Chelyuskinites Park (Chelyuskintsev Park or Chelyuskinites Park): Located close to the city center, it was created between 1928-1931. There is an amusement park, Children’s Railroad and Botanical Garden within 78 hectares of the urban forest consisting of 22 thousand trees.
Belarus National Library: Its construction started in 1922. You can visit the library, which was completed in 2006, with a guide.. It is hard to believe from the outside that it is a library with its different cubic architecture and night lighting.
All Saints Church: There is also a memorial to the war victims in the Orthodox church, located almost on the border of Minsk.
The Minsk guide does not end here. But we’re done shshshsh… A bonus for those who say more:
Lošyсki Park: The park is located in the south of the city, about 7.5 km from the city centre.
FUN AND NIGHTLIFE IN MINSK
Casino: Casino Millennium, Dimond Princess
Graffiti Bar, Dozari (it means until the morning), Bowling and Billiards night club and there are cabaret and dance shows called Moulin Rouge
Minsk Bar Street: So cafes at Ulitsa Zybitskaya are also a preferred destination for Belarusians.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT CLOSE TO MINSK: ALTERNATIVE TOURS
The reservoirs and nature parks except Nyasvizh Castle, Mir Castle, Khatyn, Dudutki are:
Pripyatsky National Park (Pripyat National Park): Located in the Gomel Region of Belarus , nature reserve was found in 1996
Drazdy Reservoir: Another reservoir 11.4 km from Minsk
Zaslawskaye Reservoir: 23 km from Minsk, with a lake and a beach for rest and d A region to be in touch with nature
MINSK TRAVEL NOTES
Language is definitely a problem
