Interesting places and sights of Belarus: where to go and what to see | The Guide Club

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Belarus is located on the border of the Slavic and Western worlds, and this is its peculiarity. Here you can learn a lot about the life of our ancestors in the past centuries, you can walk through medieval palaces and castles or resurrect the greatness of Soviet times. Lovers of beautiful nature and outdoor activities will not be bored either. We have compiled the top attractions and interesting places of Belarus that are worth visiting in this country. Check it out to choose the most interesting destinations and plan your trip.

Sights of Minsk and the surrounding area

It is better to start exploring Belarus from the capital. Even if you don’t have much time, you can come for the weekend, the flight from Moscow lasts an hour and a half. In case of a longer vacation, Minsk is a convenient starting point for trips to other regions. Although it is a very old city, it looks young. After the Great Patriotic War, no more than 20% of the pre-war buildings survived. The rest had to be rebuilt. And yet some of the historical sites have been preserved. The main attractions of the capital of Belarus are architectural monuments and museums.

The Church of St. Simeon and St. Helena

One of the city’s business cards is the so—called Red Church, or the Church of St. Simeon and St. Helena on Independence Square. Its 50-meter bell tower is visible from afar. This beautiful building was built in 1910 by the Belarusian nobleman Edward Voynilovich in memory of the children who died early. The temple is dedicated to the saints who were the patrons of his son Simon and daughter Elena. After the establishment of Soviet power, the church fell into disrepair, but miraculously survived despite all the upheavals of the 20th century. In 2022, services in the church were suspended, so it is impossible to get inside. But the building is worth seeing at least from the outside.

The Museum of Architectural Miniatures “Mini Country”

There are more than 20 museums in Minsk, including, for example, the museum of boulders, aviation equipment or Belarusian cinema. One of the most interesting places worth visiting in Belarus is the Mini Country Museum. It is located in the former Palace of Culture of Trade Unions, a beautiful building resembling an ancient temple with columns. But the most interesting thing is waiting inside. Dozens of detailed layouts of the main architectural sights of Belarus are presented here.

If it is not possible to visit different parts of the country, you can see the most interesting things without leaving the center of the capital. For example, an exact copy of the Brest Fortress, Nesvizh Castle or the Rumyantsev and Paskevich Palace. In addition to the buildings themselves, their surroundings have been recreated, and in some places historical scenes. For example, a jousting tournament in the Lida Castle or an attack by German troops in the Brest fortress. It is possible to view the layouts in day and night lighting. A thorough inspection of this museum will take several hours.

Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre

The impressive circular building in the center of the capital is another symbol of Minsk. The theater was built in the 1930s, then destroyed during the war and restored by 1948. This is an outstanding example of Soviet constructivism. The interior is classic: granite and marble decor, huge crystal chandeliers, ceiling paintings, gold patterns and red velvet upholstery. There are several sculptures on the facade of the building and nearby. There is a park with a fountain around the theater.

The All-Holy Church

Although this temple is located quite far from the city center, it is worth a trip to it. This is the tallest church in the CIS, together with the cross, its height is 74 m. It was built in 2010, but in compliance with traditional Orthodox canons. The temple is dedicated to the Belarusian saints, of whom there are only five. The same number of golden domes adorn the structure. The All—Holy Church is an extraordinarily beautiful building with luxurious interiors.

National Library

This modern structure stands out strongly among Soviet buildings. The library was built in 2006 and looks like a huge diamond-shaped glass structure. It resembles a sparkling diamond against the blue sky. This design has caused a lot of controversy, but now the library has become one of the most popular and famous attractions in Belarus. It is worth seeing after sunset and before midnight, when it is transformed by illumination. It is also worth going up to the 22nd floor, where there is an observation deck and a cafe.

Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War

In Minsk, it is worth going to the Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War. In 2014, he moved into a large modern building with a glass dome, which in itself is worthy of attention. The huge exposition consists of objects that have been collected since June 1942. Now the fund includes over 140 thousand items, of which over 8 thousand exhibits can be seen. The total area of the complex is 15,000 sq. m. The exposition is divided into 10 thematic halls. The Victory Hall under the glass dome is especially impressive.

Minsk Botanical Garden

Founded in 1932, the Botanical Garden of Minsk is one of the largest in Europe, while it is located close to the city center. It’s hard to think of a better place to walk, especially in spring and summer. In addition to the alleys with lime trees, maples, birches, poplars, mountain ash or Manchurian walnut, there is a large collection of flowers. Some of them can be bought in the shop at the main entrance to plant at your cottage. In total, more than 9 thousand species of fauna are represented in the botanical garden. Of these, more than 600 are tropical plants in the greenhouse, which can be visited even in winter. There is also a pond in the garden where ducks and swans swim.

Museums of folk architecture and crafts

Lovers of antiquity should visit the village of Ozertso — it is located just a couple of kilometers from the Minsk Ring Road. The Museum of Folk Architecture and Everyday Life, also known as Strochitsy, is located here. It contains dozens of wooden structures of the XIX century: residential buildings, a barn, a tavern, a school, a mill, a church. Inside there are authentic household items, clothes and shoes. A larger museum of a similar theme is located in the village of Dudutki, 40 km from Minsk. If you are choosing where you can go in Belarus with children, this museum complex is an excellent choice.

In the “Dudutki” you can see how pots were made in the past, horseshoes were forged and bread was baked. Visitors can even try their hand at old crafts themselves, master classes are held for this purpose. In the local cafes you can taste traditional Belarusian cuisine. It is a great pleasure to taste cheese, farm sausage, bacon with garlic, pickles. An officially registered moonshine distiller operates in Dudutki, and its products are served with snacks. Even in the village, you can look at the inhabitants of the farm, ride horses and even fly a light-engine plane to see the classic Belarusian landscape from a height.

Stalin’s Line

Another historical place in Belarus is the “Stalin Line”. This is a large-scale network of fortifications and firing points built in the late 1920s along the western border of the USSR. The line stretched from the Black Sea to Finland, passing 20 km from Minsk. By 1940, it had become dilapidated and outdated, and new fortifications began to be built to the west instead. But by the beginning of the Second World War, they did not have time to make them, so it was Stalin’s Line that helped to restrain the onslaught of the fascists. The Minsk section lasted only three days, Polotsk — 20 days. For the longest time, for two months, the Kiev section of the fortifications was held, which is why the Germans had to stop the offensive on Moscow.

By the 60th anniversary of the victory, part of the fortification ensemble was restored. Here you can see military equipment of old models, shoot live ammunition in a shooting gallery and become a tank driver for a short time. There is a cafe on site and a lake where you can go boating.

Khatyn Memorial Complex

The war caused huge damage to Belarus and led to the death of about one in three residents of the country. Many cities were destroyed, hundreds of villages disappeared irrevocably. Therefore, there are many memorable places in Belarus that you can visit to learn more about the tragic pages of the past.

The list of attractions in Belarus cannot be imagined without the Khatyn Memorial complex. It is located 60 km from Minsk, it is better to go here for the whole day. The complex is located on the site of a village burned to the ground by the invaders in March 1943. All residents were killed, and only one man miraculously survived, suffering severe burns. This man’s name was Joseph Kaminsky. The bronze sculpture depicts him with his dead son in his arms — this is one of the most famous objects of Khatyn. There is also a “Cemetery of villages” that suffered a similar fate, “trees of life” dedicated to revived villages, “Wall of Memory” and much more. The area of the complex is about 50 hectares.

Sights of the Grodno region

Grodno region is located in the western part of the country. In the middle of the XIII century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was born here, its first capital was the city of Novogrudok in the Grodno region. The state existed until the end of the XVIII century, and over 500 years of its history thousands of architectural and historical monuments were built. It is in Grodno and its surroundings that there are many famous places in Belarus that you definitely need to see. In the city center alone, more than 400 buildings have historical value.

Boris and Gleb Church

The pride of Grodno and the whole of Belarus is the Borisoglebsky Church, which is also called Kolozhskaya. This is one of the oldest and westernmost surviving churches from the time of Kievan Rus. The exact date of its construction is unknown, presumably it is the end of the XII century. The influence of the Byzantine tradition is noticeable in architecture, but there are also unique features that are not found anywhere else.

Over nine centuries, the Borisoglebsky Church has seen a lot. She suffered during the attacks of the crusaders and the troops of Ivan III, but the greatest damage was caused by nature. The stone structure turned out to be too heavy for the sandy shore of the Neman River, so there were more than once washouts and landslides. In 1853, they led to a partial collapse of the building. At the turn of the XIX-XX centuries, the coast was strengthened, and the church was rebuilt, only the destroyed stone wall was made lighter wooden. The last time the building was restored was in 2018, including the restoration of the frescoes of the XVII century. Now it is a functioning church, where divine services are held.

Choral Synagogue

Another attraction worth seeing in Grodno is the choral synagogue. It was first built on this site in the XVI century by the Italian Santi Gucci. Due to fires, it had to be rebuilt twice, the last time in 1905. Then the building acquired the features of Russian Art Nouveau.

In the 20th century, a difficult fate awaited the synagogue. Under Soviet rule, a technical school was located in it. During the war years, the beautiful Moorish-style facade was damaged by shells and bullets. During the occupation, the Germans kept Jews in the building on the eve of execution or being sent to concentration camps. After the liberation, the building gradually deteriorated. When it was handed over to the Jewish community in the 90s, one of the most beautiful synagogues in Europe was in extremely poor condition. Restoration work is still ongoing, but services are being held in the already restored part. The synagogue is as beautiful inside as it is outside. Be sure to look at her elaborate stucco work.

Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier

The Catholic Cathedral on the main square of Grodno is one of the most beautiful and famous temples in Belarus. It is also known as the Farny Church, that is, the main one. The cathedral was completed in 1705, and two elegant towers were completed later in the middle of the XVIII century. The luxurious Baroque building includes 13 altars. The main one reaches 21 m in height. It is decorated with marble columns and dozens of sculptures. The interior features frescoes, floral ornaments and sculptural groups in the Rococo and Mannerist styles.

While exploring the cathedral from the outside, pay attention to the tower clock. They were installed in 1725 and were already old at that time, but they are still in operation.

Temples of the Grodno region

If you go outside the city, you can see the following famous religious buildings:

• Zhirovichi Monastery. Zhirovichi is an important center of Belarusian Orthodoxy, founded in the XVI century. The main building of the monastery complex is the Assumption Cathedral in a classical style with a baroque interior. There are also several other churches, a belfry, a seminary, other buildings and holy springs open to the public.
• The Church of St. John the Baptist in Golshany. The Baroque Catholic church dedicated to John the Baptist is the main attraction of the town of Golshany. The church was first built in 1618, and in the 1870s it was completely rebuilt. An interesting detail of the interior is an 18th—century altar fresco, which creates the illusion of a semicircular colonnade on a flat wall.
• The Church of the Holy Trinity in the village of Gervyaty. The huge Neo-Gothic church was built at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries and consecrated in 1904. For its speedy construction, a brick factory was opened nearby. Tiles and tiles were brought from Germany, and eggs for cement mortar were collected by thousands from peasants. Now the church has been renovated and looks impressive. You will see its 61 m high tower from afar.
• The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in the village of Murovanka. The temple in Murovanka was built in the first half of the XVI century. It is interesting because it is one of the few surviving churches of the defensive type. The thickness of its walls reaches two meters, towers with loopholes rise at the corners. For 500 years, the church has suffered from shelling and fires more than once. During the restoration work, the craftsmen laid part of the loopholes and removed the grille at the entrance. And yet, the fortress church has reached our days with minimal changes.

Kreva Castle

The ancient castle, built in the XIV century, became the first stone castle in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The thickness of its walls is 2.5 m, the height reaches 13 m. The tallest tower in the past rose 20 meters. Krev Castle was repeatedly besieged by Tatar and Moscow troops, and many historical events took place here. But by the 19th century, the castle had lost its former importance and began to decline. The First World War completed its destruction. Then German troops took refuge in it, and the Russian army shelled this fortification with the most powerful artillery at its disposal. The courtyard is still covered with shell holes.

As a result, ruins remained of the castle: only some fragments of the walls and the remains of the towers survived. They were mothballed in 1929. Currently, work is underway here, the purpose of which is to prevent further destruction and partially restore the historical monument. A part of the north-eastern wall with a gate has already been restored.

The agro-town of Krevo is located 100 km from Minsk. You can come here for a day trip. Workshops are held here on weekends. There are also ruins of a brick synagogue and other attractions nearby the castle.

Lida Castle

Another castle is one of the most ancient in the territory of Belarus. It was built in the first half of the XIV century to protect against the crusaders. In the future, this castle was besieged by enemies more than once. Sometimes the structure was partially destroyed, but each time it was rebuilt. Restoration work is currently underway here, but much has already been restored

Lida Castle is a good place in Belarus where you can go with children. In summer, festivals and reconstructions of jousting tournaments are held here. In winter, the courtyard turns into an ice rink. The backlight turns on at night. In addition to the castle, there are other attractions in the city of Lida:

• St. Joseph’s Church, built in the XVIII century,
• All Saints Church with unusual narrow windows,
• Monument to railway soldiers in the form of an ancient steam locomotive,
• Funny sculpture “Bath attendant Vasya”.

Mir Castle

Mir Castle, built in the XVI century, is one of the most interesting sights of Belarus. The castle complex includes a large three-storey palace, bastions, a moat with water, an Italian-style garden and an artificial lake. Some of the buildings are made in the Gothic style, newer buildings are in the Renaissance style, and the restored interiors tend to the Baroque. The castle grounds are extremely beautiful. When white walls with red towers are reflected in the lake water, it gives the impression of a picture from a book or a frame from a movie. Inside, you can look at antique furniture, armor and hunting trophies.

Although the village of Mir formally belongs to the Grodno region, Mir Castle is much closer to Minsk. It is 90 km from the capital. It is best to come here for the whole day with a guide who will tell you about all the most interesting things. You can use the audio guide.

The August Canal

In the first half of the 19th century, a grandiose project was conceived for its time: to connect the Black and Baltic Seas by a canal. The main part of the work was completed in 1839, the waterway connected the Neman and Vistula rivers. This canal stretches for 101 km, of which 25 fall on the territory of Belarus, and the rest belongs to Poland. The last section, which was supposed to reach the Baltic port, was not completed. The fact is that the railway network was developing in parallel and such transport turned out to be more profitable.

Soon after the construction was completed, the canal had already lost its practical significance. It stood idle and fell into disrepair. The First and Second World Wars caused significant damage to it. But first, the Polish part of the canal was restored as a tourist attraction, and in 2006 similar works were completed in Belarus.

Now the Augustovsky Canal is a popular place in Belarus for fans of ecological, sightseeing and sports tourism. In summer, motor ships ply here, boats and catamarans are available for rent. You can go fishing, kayaking or canoeing. Tourists have the opportunity to cross the border by water. The coastline of the canal is covered with virgin forest, along which hiking and cycling routes are laid.

Sights of the Brest region

Brest is one of the oldest Slavic cities, it is mentioned in the “Tale of Bygone Years”. Since the Brest region is located on the southwestern border of Belarus, it has been the first to meet enemies more than once in the past. Therefore, Brest is covered with military glory, and its fortress is known all over the world. There are other attractions in the region: luxurious palaces and castles, the famous Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Struve geodetic arc points and much more. We tell you what is worth watching first.

Brest Fortress-hero

The Brest fortress was built in the first half of the XIX century in a beautiful place at the confluence of the Western Bug and Mukhavets rivers. Its task was to protect the western borders of the Russian Empire. The 4 sq. km complex was located on artificial islands with lifting gates and was considered impregnable. In the 19th century, there were no people willing to lay siege to it. But in 1915, the Germans took the fortress, because the Russian troops themselves left it, considering the defense impractical. Later it passed to Poland, and in 1939 to the Soviet Union.

In 1941, a century after the construction, the fortress played its role and became famous. During Operation Barbarossa, it was suddenly besieged by German troops, hoping to occupy the structure on the very first day. But, although there were half as many defenders, they held out for a whole month. One of the defending soldiers then left a famous inscription on the wall: “I’m dying, but I’m not giving up. Goodbye, Motherland.”

When the fortress was recaptured, it was already destroyed. But it was not demolished, but turned into a memorial dedicated to all the soldiers who died here and the steadfastness of the Soviet people. The citadel received the title of “Hero Fortress”. Impressive monuments were built here: “Courage” and “Thirst”. There are also memorial plaques, military equipment, and individual museums on the territory. Among them, the Berestye Historical and Archaeological Museum occupies a special place, where the remains of wooden structures of the XIV century are collected. Getting to know all the objects will take all day. To get around faster, you can rent a bike. You can get to the Brest Fortress on foot, it is a half-hour walk from the city center.

Ruzhansky Palace

One of the most interesting historical sights of Belarus is the Ruzhansky Palace, which is called the Belarusian Versailles. It was built at the end of the XVI century and belonged to the powerful Sapieha dynasty. The complex combined the features of a defensive fortress and a ceremonial palace. In the XVII century, many political events of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania took place within its walls. Ambassadors and kings were received here, and the treasury and state documents of the principality were stored in the basements.

In the second half of the XVII century, noble feuds and the Northern War led to the destruction and looting of the palace. But by 1786, it was restored again, becoming even more beautiful and sophisticated. Now it was a cultural center with a huge library, an art gallery, a beautiful theater and picturesque gardens.

In 1914, the Ruzhansky Palace was severely damaged by fire, and the First and Second World Wars destroyed it almost completely. The restoration began only in 2008. To date, the central gate and side wings have been restored, in which authentic interior items, archaeological finds and paintings by Belarusian artists are exhibited.

The Puslovsky Palace

Among the most beautiful sights of Belarus, it is impossible not to mention the palace in the town of Kossovo. It was built in 1838 by the large industrialist Vandalin Puslovsky, who completed the project started by his father.

The Puslovskys were connoisseurs of art, and their palace became the epitome of elegance and luxury. The structure is decorated with 12 octagonal towers, which symbolize the 12 months. There are more than 130 rooms inside, each with its own unique look. The white hall was intended for dancing, the Black one for card games, the Pink one for playing music, and so on. There were 10 thousand books in the library. Underfloor heating and fireplaces were used for heating. An Italian Renaissance-style park with three lakes, sculptures and a greenhouse was laid out around.

During the First World War, the palace was looted, and a large fire in 1944 finally destroyed the interior. Only the walls remained. The restoration of the castle began in 2018 and is now under completion. Most of the halls and the gentrified surrounding area are already accessible to visitors. In 2023, 100,000 tourists visited here. On weekends, it is better to book an excursion in advance, because there may be too many people who want to. Kossovsky Castle is 20 km from the Ruzhansky Palace, they can be visited in one day.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha and other national parks of Belarus

There are places to visit and things to see in Belarus for lovers of beautiful nature. About 40% of the country’s territory is covered with forests, and besides them there are lakes, swamps, meadows and picturesque countryside. Especially famous is the National Park “Belovezhskaya Pushcha” with an area of about 1,500 square kilometers. It became the first object in the territory of the former USSR to be protected by UNESCO. One half of the national park is located in Poland, the other in the Brest and Grodno regions of Belarus. The pride of Belovezhskaya Pushcha is the virgin forest that once covered the whole of northern Europe. Many animals live here, including the European bison. Oak trees over 500 years old and about 900 species of other plants grow in Belovezhskaya Pushcha.

The national park has facilities for living, sports and fishing. Excursion routes are equipped. The Estate of the Belarusian Santa Claus and the Nature Museum are open all year round.

But Belovezhskaya Pushcha is only one of four national parks in the country, and besides them there are also nature reserves. If you want to see all the most beautiful places in Belarus, you should pay attention to them. Here are a few places to go first:

• Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve. 120 km from Minsk, along the Berezina River, there was a path “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” And even earlier, about 20,000 years ago, this place was occupied by the Valdai glacier. When it melted, a huge lake with rare islands was formed. Then it dried up, but there were smaller lakes — Olshitsa, Smoothly, Manets and others. In 1925, this area received the status of a nature reserve. There are good conditions for ecotourism and recreation with children.
• Narochan National Park. The landscape of the Naroch region was also formed as a result of the melting of the glacier. There are more than 40 lakes here, among which the largest in Belarus. It was it that gave the name to the national park and the local resort village. Lakes occupy about 20% of the territory of the national park, and another half is pine and birch forests. There are about 30 sightseeing routes for tourists, cycling, horse riding and water trips are arranged here.
• Braslav Lakes. There are dozens of lakes with a rugged coastline in the area of the ancient city of Braslav. They are connected into a single network by channels, streams and rivers. The national park formed here is one of the best tourist spots in Belarus. In addition to lakes, the park’s territory is occupied by forests, meadows and swamps. Due to the diversity of ecosystems, more than a third of all birds nesting in Belarus and 1,900 species of plants can be found here. Hiking and water trails are available to explore the local nature.

Other sights of Belarus

Wherever you go in Belarus, you will find everywhere where to go and what to see. Bobruisk, Nesvizh, Gomel, Polesie — there is something interesting everywhere. Let’s list a few more attractions that are definitely worth seeing:

• Nesvizh Castle. This UNESCO World Heritage Site castle is similar to Mir Castle and is only 30 km away from it. It is well preserved and was renovated in 2012. The scenery around is extremely picturesque. This is a good place for a picnic. At the same time, you can see other sights of the city of Nesvizh.
• St. Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk. This is the oldest preserved church in Belarus and the oldest stone building in the country. The Byzantine—style temple was built in the middle of the XI century – shortly after the Principality of Polotsk separated from Kiev and became independent. Later, the cathedral was rebuilt, the last time in the XVII century. But the original fragments have also been preserved. Now there is a museum in the cathedral and services are held only once a year. Organ music concerts are held on Sundays.
• Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble. Gomel is home to one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in the country. Stretching along the riverbank, the complex includes several outstanding attractions at once. The main ones are the Rumyantsev and Paskevich Palaces, Peter and Paul Cathedral and a large ancient park. The palace in the style of early classicism was built at the end of the XVIII century, when Catherine II gave Gomel to her favorite Peter Rumyantsev as a reward for military victories.
• The Bobruisk fortress. The fortress in Bobruisk, built in the first half of the XIX century, can be called the sister of the Brest fortress. For a long time it remained one of the best in Europe. In 1812, the citadel was besieged by Napoleon’s troops. In the 1820s, the organizers of the Decembrist movement first served here, and then were imprisoned. About half of all the objects of the great fortress have been preserved to this day. The complex offers guided tours, a cafe and a gift shop.

Now you know what a tourist can see in Belarus. It is easy to arrange a trip to this country on your own, because you do not need a visa and there are no problems with the language. Mir bank cards are accepted everywhere. If you have only a few days, it is better to limit yourself to Minsk or Grodno. You can visit two or three regions in a week. It will take more time to get to know the country more deeply. To make sure that every day does not pass in vain and brings maximum pleasant impressions, use the services of professional guides. Their offers are presented on our website. Choose a suitable tour on the Guide Club and book it online!

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