Cultural sightseeing in Belarus

In Belarus, there are five cities, the foundation dates of which are proven in documents. The age of these cities is more than a thousand years. This country with ancient history can amaze even experienced travelers. Museums, architectural monuments, and castles complete with the unique beauty of Polesia. The history of the country and its people has left many gorgeous reminders of the past in the form of fabulous castles, family mansions in nearly pristine conditions, churches, and palaces. When starting a vacation in the country and meeting its people, it is impossible to understand them and their soul without any knowledge of the country’s history. There are gorgeous ethnographic museums and open-air museum complexes in different parts of Belarus. As a rule, it is easy to reach them and their exhibitions shed light upon the lifestyle and culture of local people.

For example, a museum in the village of Azyartso offers its visitors to see authentic wooden buildings that date back to the 17th century. The exhibits were brought to Azyartso from different parts of the country. Besides interesting excursions, travelers can learn more about the lifestyle and national costumes in Belarus. There is an exhibition dedicated to the authentic old items and tools used by people centuries ago. Muziejny Komplieks Dudutki is one of the newer museums that are very popular with tourists. This museum is dedicated to different old crafts. Located approximately 40 kilometers away from Minsk, this museum hosts numerous ethnographic exhibitions and festivals. Vietka Museum of Old Believer Faith and Belarusian Traditions is a fantastic place to learn more about a big period in the history of the country. Old believer icons, ancient manuscripts, first printed books, unique clothes with gold embroidery and pearl décor, a collection of home décor items, and numerous ritual items – the museum’s collection is really diverse. Some of the artifacts exhibited can make even famous museums jealous.

Located in Polesia, the village of Biezdziez is famous for its rich history and traditions of making incredibly white linen aprons. A museum, which appeared in the village in 1999, exhibits a rich collection of items that one can find in Belarusian villages. Folk bands like performing here, and visitors surely enjoy trying local cuisine. It is also possible to spend a night in an authentic countryside house. Zabroddzie Village Museum is the right place for everyone wishing to feel the atmosphere of World War I. The village regularly hosts interesting events dedicated to the history of the region. There are also guesthouses for tourists made in the authentic style of that period. Vacationers can also choose to spend several days in a camp. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Brest Fortress is one of the signature landmarks dedicated to the victory in the Great Patriotic War. The fortress was built in the 19th century. At that time, it was the largest fortress in the Russian Empire. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed here after World War I. In summer 1941, several important battles happened in the Brest region, forming the foundation for the future victory over Nazi Germany. The defense of Brest Fortress has become a synonym of the unbreakable spirit of Soviet soldiers. Once the war was over, the ruins of the fortress were turned into a memorial complex. In the reconstructed military barracks, there is now a military museum with many interesting items and historic documents. The museum has paid excursions 6 days a week. Everyone can attend the museum for free on the last Friday of every month.

Adam Mickiewicz, the great Polish and Belarusian poet, was born in Zavosse, a village in the Baranavichy Raion of Brest Region. In the memory of the great poet, his house was restored and a museum was opened in it. This museum offers interesting excursions dedicated to works of the poet and his life. It is also interesting to visit this museum to see the usual lifestyle of a countryside landlord in the 18th – 19th centuries. Visitors can see a pond and the lime tree, under which Mickiewicz enjoyed relaxing. During the Grand Duchy of Lithuania period, Nesvizh was one of the richest and largest cities in the region. The city’s castle was built on par with the honorable status. Initially, walls of the Nesvizh Castle were made from wood at the beginning of the 16th century. The construction of the stone castle started in 1583. The main purpose of the building was to protect the region from invaders. Giant ramparts and thick walls with numerous cannons survived several sieges until the castle was finally conquered by the Swedes in the 18th century. When the Swedes departed, the castle was in a bad state and required reconstruction. Later, it became a residence of the Radziwill family. Battles were usual for that period, so it was impossible to bring the castle and the adjacent garden to their former glory. During the Soviet period, all precious items were sent to museums, and the castle became a sanatorium. A thorough reconstruction ended only in 2012, and the giant palace became as shiny and attractive as before. The entrance to the castle is paid; it is open every day.

Pustynskiy Svyato-Uspenskiy Muzhskoy Monastyr is one of the oldest monasteries in Belarus. Its history starts at the beginning of the 14th century when a prince’s son was magically cured by the water from the holy spring where he had found an icon. A wooden chapel was built near the spring. As the fame of this place was growing, monks from Kiev Pechersk Lavra came and started living here. The orthodox Christian tradition was dominant in the region until the 17th century – this is when the chapel became the property of the Uniate Church. This marks the appearance of stone buildings in the region. Orthodox Christians again appeared here at the end of the 19th century. After the revolution, the monastery stood abandoned for many years. The church got the building back only in 2003. When monks returned, they saw an image of Jesus Christ appear on the wall. Some buildings are already reconstructed, but restoration works are far from being finished. This doesn’t prevent tourists and pilgrims from visiting this place and enjoying its light and powerful energy.

The Church of Saint John the Baptist in the Vitebsk Region was built approximately 400 years ago. This is a monumental white building that is somewhat reminiscent of a castle outside – its tall and narrow turrets make the church look like this. It is not hard to understand that the building is old. The atmosphere of this place is truly magical, and the ancient 2.5-meter high stone cross in the yard makes this place special. This Catholic church has never been closed during its long history. This is also the location of the oldest pipe organ in the country – its age is more than 300 years, and it is installed above the entrance to the chorus. Inside the church, there are four wooden altars. The central altar was made in the 18th century. Inside, the gorgeous building is decorated with frescos in the rare Grisaille enamel. Church of Saint John the Baptist was fully restored in 2011.

The village of Hyervyaty (Gierviaty) is famous for its Holy Trinity Catholic Church. It was built by Prince Olszewski at the beginning of the 20th century. This is the largest Catholic church in Belarus. The stone church was built on the site of a wooden one that dated back to the 16th century. Tall and sharp spires of the neo-gothic building look very unusual for the typical countryside landscape. Around the church, there is a real small French park with its straight roads and ideal geometry of lawns and bushes. The Holy Trinity Catholic Church operates as a church, but unique acoustic properties make it one of the best pipe organ halls in the country. The pipe organ in the Holy Trinity Catholic Church was made specifically for this building, and it sounds just as great as right after the installation.

The historic center of Minsk, the capital of Belarus, is called Vierchni Horad (Upper City). The city got self-administration in the 15th century in accordance with the Magdeburg rights, and so the building of a new center of the city started. This was the location of houses of noble people and numerous churches of different religions. Styles mixed, creating a unique atmosphere in this area. However, two world wars almost completely destroyed the original look of the city. Only in modern times, some architectural masterpieces were restored thanks to the efforts of renovators and residents of the city. This part of Minsk becomes increasingly popular with both locals and guests of the city. It has already become a good tradition to organize numerous music festivals, theatrical performances, and fair trades in the Upper City in summer. As a rule, these events are organized by charities that raise funds for ill children.