The capital of Belarus is a beautiful, clean city with many things to see and to do. It has a rich culture and a lot of history.
If you’re interested in art, you can visit one of the museums in Minsk. Museum “Zair Azgur Memorial Studio” is a must-see, as it displays the life of this famous Soviet sculptor.
Museum “Zair Azgur Memorial Studio”
Founded on the basis of the sculptor Zair Azgur’s private studio, this is the only monographic museum in Belarus. It is a great place to learn about the history of a master sculptor who achieved prominence during the Soviet era.
The sculptor’s work is impressive and worth a look. There are many different artefacts to see here, from personal items to works of fine art.
If you want to learn about the history of the Soviet Union, this is a must-visit. It offers a good overview of the political and cultural landscape of that time.
National Library of Belarus
The National Library of Belarus is a must-see when visiting Minsk. It contains around 9 million books, publications, manuscripts, and digital materials in 80 languages.
This unusual building resembles a rhombicuboctahedron and houses no fewer than 18 reading halls. You can also enjoy the panoramic view of Minsk from its open-air skydeck.
In addition to being a cultural institution, the National Library is also home to a museum and an exhibition center. Its main goal is to protect the historical documentary heritage of Belarus and encourage people to learn about their culture.
Founded in 1922, the National Library of Belarus is a treasure-trove of information and culture. You’ll find half a million books published in Belarus, and more than 90 thousand rare and early printed books, the earliest of which date from the XIV-XV centuries.
Kamarouski Rynak Market
Located in the largest district of Minsk, the Kamarouski Rynak Market is a bustling market hall packed with vendors selling fresh produce & flowers, deli products & baked goods. It’s one of Minsk’s collectivist masterpieces and a must-see for anyone visiting the city.
The market also plays host to an array of shops, restaurants and cafes. The site is particularly popular with tourists, as it’s near many of the city’s major attractions. Among the most noteworthy are the city’s museum of the famous Zair Azgur and the National Library of Belarus. The latter is an important cultural institution in Belarus, as it houses the nation’s most precious works of art.
Holly Spirit Cathedral
The Holy Spirit Cathedral is one of the most beautiful and sacred Orthodox churches in Minsk. It was built during the 1633-1642 period as a Polish Bernadine monastery.
- The building was damaged by fire in 1741, and then it had to be renovated. It was converted into a church and was named the Holy Spirit Cathedral in 1870.
- Today, it is the main Orthodox cathedral in Minsk and it holds several valuable relics. Among them, the most precious is the wonder-working icon of the Mother of God found in 1500.
- Another relic is the imperishable relics of Saint Sophia Slytskaya, granddaughter of Anastasia Slytskaya. These relics are placed in the side niche on the left of the altar.
