34 Landmarks of Minsk

28.07.2023 - 19:25 / 34travel.me

34 Landmarks of Minsk

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Our love for Minsk is strong and tender, that’s why together with the guide to Belarus VETLIVA we’ve decided to collect all the key sights of the city in one place. Stalinist and Baroque architecture, classical theatres and creative hubs, historical neighborhoods and impressive modern buildings: let’s explore Minsk from tourist classics to secluded spots for the locals.

contents:

Religious Buildings Architectural Monuments STREETS & NEIGHBORHOODS

MODERN BUILDINGS MODERN CULTURE & ART Theatres & Museums

Memorials PARKS & NATURE MINSK FOR LOCALS

Religious Buildings

The Red Church

plošča Niezaležnasci, 15

The Church of St. Simon and Alena, or the Red Church, as Minskers also call it, is located in the very center of the city – at plošča Niezaležnasci. The red brick Neo-Gothic temple really stands out from the surrounding architecture, and it seems to make the church even more majestic and beautiful.

The church was built in Minsk in 1910, and at that time it was the largest and the highest Catholic church in the city. The construction of the church is associated with a sad legend: during the years 1887-1903, Minsk noble Edward Vajnilovič lost two children – Simon and Alena. The son died from scarlet fever, and the daughter suffered from pneumonia. Before she died, the girl saw the image of the Red Church in a dream and drew its sketch. The temple then was erected according to that sketch, and the money for the construction was donated by Vajnilovič himself. During Soviet times, the building was turned into a theater, then into a film studio. Only in 1990, the Church of St. Simon and Alena was returned to the Catholic community. Since then, the services have been regularly held here. Edward Vajnilovič, the patron of the church and father of Simon and Alena, is buried at the entrance to the church.

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The Holy Spirit Cathedral

vulica Kiryla i Miafodzija, 3

The classic postcard view of Minsk. The baroque cathedral literally overlooks the Upper Town, so you will definitely see it, walking around the center.

The Cathedral has a very rich history: at the beginning of the 17th century, there was a Bernardine monastery, but after about a hundred years the building burned down. By 1860 it was rebuilt but as an Orthodox church. A lot happened in the life of the church: for a while, there was a transit prison, an archive, and even a gym.

But today several powerful Orthodox shrines are kept in the church: the icon of the Mother of God of Minsk, which has been constantly in the city since 1500, as well as the relics of Sofia Sluckaja. By the way, you can easily enter the temple and see all the icons yourself.

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The Cathedral of St. Virgin Mary

plošča