A Photo Journey Through Secretive Belarus

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Beer drinking in Minsk, Belarus — Good times – beer-drinking Belarussians

There are a few countries still frozen in the Soviet era. Among these are North Korea, Turkmenistan, Transnistria, and Belarus. Though hardly comparable with one another, or even to Russia, each of these countries is unique in many ways.

Among these places, Belarus is likely the most easily visited and least bizarre. Though the KGB is still feared in Belarus under the dictatorship of Alexander Lukashenko, it is not too difficult to travel around the country. While most travellers have to apply for a visa and also register at a police station within a certain number of days of arrival, exploring this interesting country is not too challenging.

In the secretive state of Belarus, under a dictatorial rule where the KGB continues to instil fear in its citizens, we found a country with gentle people and fascinating architecture.

Homestays are possible, and a variety of hotels are open to foreign visitors. Train travel is fairly comfortable and major railway lines head in many directions. In addition to Minsk being an interesting city with fascinating Lenin-styled architecture, the country has many exhilarating destinations to explore, without encountering masses of tourists.

Table of Contents

Minsk

Minsk, the capital of Belarus is a brilliant example of Soviet city planning with its long and wide boulevards, Stalinist architecture, and rows of bland apartments on superblocks.

The Svisloch River bisects Minsk as its main waterway. During the Soviet time, the river was blocked and its banks have been set in concrete. The city has many impressive buildings, parks, monuments, churches, graveyards, and other attractions. Enough to keep travellers busy for a few days.

Holy Spirit Cathedral - The central cathedral of the Belarusian Orthodox Church dates back to 1633-1642 but was reconstructed after the devastating 1741 fire. ` — Holy Spirit Cathedral – The central cathedral of the Belarusian Orthodox Church dates back to 1633-1642 but was reconstructed after the devastating 1741 fire.

Victory Square - A soldiers at Victory Square with its 40 m (131 ft) obelisk erected in 1954 as a memorial to the country’s war dead. Minsk, Belarus — Victory Square – A soldiers at Victory Square with its 40 m (131 ft) obelisk erected in 1954 as a memorial to the country’s war dead.

Catholic Church of St. Simon and Helena, Minsk, Belarus — Catholic Church of St. Simon and Helena.

Trade Union's Culture Palace, Minsk, Belarus — Trade Union’s Culture Palace.

Belarussion Government Building, Minsk, Belarus — Belarussion House of the Government at Independence Square.

KGB Headquarters - One of the few countries that kept the name “KGB” after the dissolution of the Soviet Union is the much-feared State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus. Minsk, Belarus — KGB Headquarters – One of the few countries that kept the name “KGB” after the dissolution of the Soviet Union is the much-feared State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus.

Yakub Kolas Square - The statue of Yakub Kolas, the folk poet and one of the founders of the classic Belarusian literature, on the square named after him in 1956. The statue dates back to 1972. Yakub was born in 1882. Minsk, Belarus — The statue of Yakub Kolas on Yakub Kolas Square. This folk poet is one of the founders of the classic Belarusian literature and stands on the square named after him in 1956. The statue dates back to 1972. Yakub was born in 1882.

Belarusian State Circus - Constructed between 1954-58 the stone-built circus in Minsk was the first stationary winter circus in the Soviet Union. Minsk, Belarus — Belarusian State Circus – Constructed between 1954-58 the stone-built circus in Minsk was the first stationary winter circus in the Soviet Union.

Palats Republiki - “Palace of the Republic of Belarus”, was constructed from 1985 to 2001. It is used for official state functions including meetings, conventions, concerts, symphony orchestras, and important events. Minsk, Belarus — Palats Republiki – “Palace of the Republic of Belarus”, was constructed from 1985 to 2001. It is used for official state functions including meetings, conventions, concerts, symphony orchestras, and important events.

The original building of the Museum of Great Patriotic War (left) and the Trade Union’s Culture Palace (right) are prominent buildings in Minsk. The museum tells the story of the bloodiest war of the 20th century. The Culture Palace stages hundreds of events every year. Minsk, Belarus — The original building of the Museum of Great Patriotic War (left) and the Trade Union’s Culture Palace (right) are prominent buildings in Minsk. The museum tells the story of the bloodiest war of the 20th century. The Culture Palace stages hundreds of events every year.

Sunset over Svisloch River, Minsk, Belarus — Sunset over Svisloch River.

Nesvizh

Nesvizh is most well known for its famous Radziwiłłs family and their Nesvizh Castle. The Radziwiłłs family were powerful people who came to the peak of their power in the 16^th century and they remained influential well into the 20^th century. The Radziwiłłs were referred to as ‘magnates’ – an extremely wealthy family that had power at every level of life in this part of the world. Their influence stretched across modern-day Belarus, Poland, Lithuania, and even Germany.

Slutsk Brama (Gate), This Baroque style gate was built in 1760 and is the only city gate that remains out of five in the fortifications of the city of Nesvizh, Belarus — Slutsk Brama (Gate), This Baroque style gate was built in 1760 and is the only city gate that remains out of five in the fortifications of the city of Nesvizh.

Corpus Christi Church, The church is connected with the Nesvizh Castle by a causeway. It is home to the coffins of 72 members of the Radziwiłł family, Nesvizh, Belarus — Corpus Christi Church, The church is connected with the Nesvizh Castle by a causeway. It is home to the coffins of 72 members of the Radziwiłł family.

Nesvizh Castle, Belarus — Nesvizh Castle.

Memorial in front of Nesvizh Castle dedicated to soldiers of Great Patriotic War, Nesvizh, Belarus — Memorial in front of Nesvizh Castle dedicated to soldiers of Great Patriotic War

Nesvizh Benedictine Sisters Convent Tower, Nesvizh, Belarus (kolokol'nia monastyria benediktinzev), Nesvizh-Belarus — Memorial in front of Nesvizh Castle dedicated to soldiers of Great Patriotic War

Mir

The town of Mir lies 29 kilometres (18 mi) north-west of another the Nesvizh Castle. While it is a pleasant town, the main reason to visit is the Mir Castle Complex (Mirski Zamak) constructed during the turn of the 16th century in the Polish Gothic style. When German forces invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, they occupied the castle and converted it to a ghetto for the local Jewish population.

In December 2000, the castle was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Mirski Zamak (Mir Castle), Mir, Belarus — Mirski Zamak (Mir Castle).

House in the town of Mir, Belarus — House in the town of Mir.

Grodno, western Belarus

Grodno, or Hrodna, is located close to the Polish border and well worth a visit. An overnight train from Minsk arrive early morning in Grodno and if needed you can take the same train back in the evening. The town has many attractions and it is fairly easy to see most attraction on foot. A pleasant town indeed.