MINSK IS THE CAPITAL OF BELARUS

The first settlement on the left bank of the river Svisloch appeared in the 12-13th century. Historians suppose that the name of the place - Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity suburb)– originates from a Roman-Catholic Trinity Church that was situated there. In the 14th century the Voznesensky monastery was erected on the top of the mountain. In 1620, on its site Anton Maslyanka built a stone church. In the 15–17th century Trinity suburb, Nizhny market and Rakovskoye suburb were surrounded by stone fortifications. Troitsloye Predmestye mostly consisted of wooden buildings, where the gentry lived. Troitskoye Predmestye is a birthplace of the outstanding Belarusian poet Maxim Bogdanovich. Yanka Kupala's house was located here. In 1982-1985 the historical place was being carefully restored and now it is one of the most favorite place of the citizens and tourists.

Obelisk to Hero City Minsk

Obelisk to Hero City Minsk was open on the 4th of July in 1954. This monument was erected to Soviet soldiers and partisans who died the death of a hero during World War II.

Obelisk is 38 meters and topped with the Order of Victory. The very square where it's set is called Victory Square (previously the Round Square). Four sides of the monument are decorated with bronze high relief called patriotically "The 9th of May, 1945", "The Soviet Army in the Years of the War", "The Partisans of Belarus", "The Glory to Fallen Heroes". Four bronze wreaths around the Obelisk symbolize four battlefronts.

It's interesting to note that G.V. Zaborsky, who was the chief architect of the project, started to work on it in 1942, long before the war ended. He believed in the victory and in one interview said: "It would be desirable to embody it in one of the majestic monuments deserving of people's great feat, on one of the most beautiful squares of home unfettered Minsk."

Church of St. Simon and Helena

This Catholic church (better known as "Red Church") was build in 1908-1910 by a noble Belarusian family upon the premature death of their two young children. The church with redbrick towers, spires, and pitched roofs became a symbol of inconsolable grief for those who died untimely. When the Bolsheviks came to power, the church became a cinema then a film studio. Only not
long ago, in 1990, the church was given back its original status. Services here start at 7 p.m.

Yanka Kupala’s Park

Yanka Kupala's park was founded on the right bank of the River Svisloch according to the project of architect I. Rudenko in the middle of the 20th century. Before World War II on this site there were several wooden buildings that were ruined in the first days of the war. Among them was the house, where the poet lived in 1927-1941. At first in the center of the park the monument to Gritzevetz stood. In 1972 the monument to the great Belarusian poet Yanka Kupala was built. One of the favorite places of citizens is the fountain 'Venok' (wreath), dedicated to the ancient holiday 'Kupalye' (bathing). In 1959 the Yanka Kupala's museum was constructed. In the new building architects tried to convey the interiors and the atmosphere of the original house. Unfortunately, the biggest part of Kupala's archives was lost during the fire. But due to the dedicated work of poet's wife and the members of the museum now it has at its disposal a big collection of autographs, photos, documents and poet's personal belongings.