WELCOM to BELARUS

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History: important dates......................................................................................4 How to get to Belarus: visas, insurance, custom procedures.........................5 How to get to Belarus: transportation...............................................................8 Minsk, the capital................................................................................................13 Belarus Oblasts....................................................................................................29 Cities-museums: Polotsk, Nesvizh, Novogrudok...........................................37 Castles, palaces and country estates...............................................................57 National parks.....................................................................................................66 Hunting tours................................................................................................79 Pilgrimage tours..................................................................................................80 Holidays and festivals .......................................................................................83 Belarus national cuisine.....................................................................................85 Useful phone numbers ......................................................................................86

The Republic of Belarus is situated in the centre of the European continent. Since olden days this region has been nicknamed “blue-eyed” because of its innumerable lakes and rivers. It was also famous for the immense forest ranges, fields and harmonious landscapes. Belarus’ countryside is an ideal place if you are looking for a peace of mind and tranquillity. “Land under white wings” — is how famous Belarusian writer Vladimir Korotkevich called his country. Belarus’ population is around 10 million people, mainly Belarusians. Other nationalities, living in the country, are Russians, Poles, Ukrainians, Jews, Tatars, Lithuanians and others. Belarus occupies a territory of 207,600 square kilometres with the capital Minsk located in the centre of the country. The Republic of Belarus borders with Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

Belarus’ territory is mainly flat. Its special characteristics are the alteration of elevated, flat and low-lying lands with bogs and lakes. The climate is reasonably continental; often Atlantic cyclones pass by. Winter is mild with long thaws; summer is gently warm. The shortest transport routes connecting Western and Eastern Europe with the central and eastern regions of Russia pass through Belarus. Belarus is ranked 13th in Europe in terms of size of territory. The country divides into 6 Oblasts (big regions). In the capital city of Minsk, which is also the centre of the Minsk Oblast, population stands at around 2 million people. Many things of Belarusian culture are symbols of its national originality. These are world-renowned Slutsk belts, the Efrosinniya of Polotsk Cross, paintings by Marc Chagall, ballets by Valentin Elizaryev, songs by “Pesnyary”, the sport skills of Olga Korbut. Belarus has rich tourism potential: good roads, hotels and restaurants of international level in Minsk and other big cities, many theatres, museums, concert and exhibition halls. Long after they return from Belarus, foreign travellers cherish unforgettable impressions of Naroch Lake and the Belovezhskaya Pushcha, the beauty of Braslav land, the originality of St Sofia’s Cathedral, Mir

Castle, Farny Catholic Church, the Radzivill family’s Nesvizh estate. Belarus looks to develop ecological tourism. The country has all the necessary conditions – cosy nooks of untouched virgin forests, scenic landscapes, hospitable and friendly countryfolk, rich ethnography and folklore. More than one third of the country is covered by forests; there are more than 20,000 rivers and brooks, around 11,000 lakes. 6,1% of Belarus territory is designated as a specially protected area. Glubelka lake

Important dates 862 – Polotsk first mentioned in the chronicle as a centre of Krivichi Slavonic tribe; Second half of the 10th century – establishment of the Polotsk Principality; End of the 10th century – establishment of the Turov Principality; 1230 – establishment of the Great Lithuanian Principality; 1569 – the Kingdom of Poland and the Great Lithuanian Principality united into the federal state Rzecz Pospolita; 1772, 1793, 1795 - Rzecz Pospolita and Belarus incorporated into the Russian Empire; 1863-January, 1864 – Uprising in Belarus, Poland and Lithuania; November 7, 1917 – October Revolution in Russia;

March 25, 1918 – Belarusian People’s Republic was proclaimed; January 1, 1919 – Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic as part of the USSR was formed; March 18, 1921 – Riga Treaty was signed. In accordance with the Treaty Western Belarus became a part of Poland until 1939; June 22, 1941 – July 28, 1944 – Belarus was occupied by Nazi Germany during the Second World War; June 27, 1990 – Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus adopted; March 15, 1994 – Constitution of the Republic of Belarus adopted.

Visa The main document for foreign citizens to get to Belarus is a passport or other equivalent document with visa. For getting visa a foreign citizen should submit to a diplomatic representatives or a consular establishment of the Republic of Belarus abroad filled visa application and documents as follows: - for a tourist’s visa: voucher (ticket for a group tour) or confirmation on a group’s reception on the territory of the Republic of Belarus officially registered by a Belarusian tourist organization properly licensed. Tourist’s visa is granted for up to 30 days;

- for a transit visa (it grants one-only crossing of the country territory in one direction and valid for 48 hours from the moment of entry): visa of a country a foreign citizen travels via territory of the Republic of Belarus; - for a guest visa: original of an invitation officially registered with respective units of Passport and Visa Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. Guest visa is issued for a duration indicated in the invitation but not longer than for 90 days. Multiple guest visa valid for 1 year is issued for foreign citizens and members of their families with near relation to citizens of the Republic of Belarus – after submitting respective invitation. - for a business visa: invitation from a juridical person (in original or fax copy). Business visa issued for 90 days. Single visa usually issued 5 days after submitting an application.

For extension of the period of validity of single business or single guest’s visa it is necessary to submit application to the respective Passport and Visa Service Unit of a foreign citizen residence in the Republic of Belarus. Tourist visa can not be prolonged. Foreign citizen can get a visa in diplomatic representatives, consular establishments of the Republic of Belarus and in the National Airport Minsk-2 after arriving to the country.

Visa procedures at the national airport Minsk-2 Airport’s Consular station usually issues visas to citizens who arrive from the countries that do not have Belarusian consular establishments. For getting a tourist visa, a foreigner should submit an application to a tourist company and a common voucher; for a transit visa you should present a visa of the final destination country. The main document for getting a business visa is an invitation (the original) from a company, for a guest visa – an invitation (the original) from a Belarusian citizen registered officially in respective units of Passport and Visa Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. The rates for foreign citizens applying got a visa at the airport since December 16, 2002 are indicated in the table.

Insurance

Customs Procedures

In accordance with the Republic of Belarus legislation, all foreign citizens entering the country or passing via the country as transit passengers must have medical emergency insurance. Insurance policy can be obtained while crossing the border (representatives of Belarusian state insurance companies work at every border post) as well as at the offices of insurance companies within the country. For example, representative offices of “Belgosstrakh” company can be found in every district of the country. The rates for the insurance policy depend on duration of stay in Belarus. The cheapest one (for 1-2 days) costs 1 USD; the most expensive one (valid for one year) – 85 USD.

It is banned to import without special permission fire-arms and ammunition, military equipment, narcotics, psychotropic, toxic, or radioactive material and explosives; printed and audiovisual materials harmful to the interests of the Republic of Belarus, its state security, health and morality of its citizens. Things as follows can be imported into Belarus without paying customs duties: - personal belongings with customs value not exceeding equivalent of 1,000 Euro per person (for indivisible goods – 1,200 Euro) with total weight not exceeding 50 kg (for indivisible goods – 80 kg); - foodstuff – weighting not more than 5 kg per person;

- spirits – not more than 1 litre per person older than 18 years; - cigarettes – not more than 200 pieces or 200 g of tobacco per person older than 18; - not more than 5 items of gold and silver ware; - not more than 1 piece of wristwatch; - not more than 3 items of clothes made of natural leather and (or) fur; - video recording and video demonstrating gear – one piece per person with total value not exceeding 1,000 Euro.

Consular tariff for foreign citizens and persons without citizenship residing on territory of states having consular establishments of the Republic of Belarus Business Guest Tourist Transit Multiple guest Group (as usual 10 people and more), per person

Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia

USA

140 140 60 50 320

For those without consular establishments of the Republic of Belarus in USD 100 100 45 30 320

100 100 45 30 220

180 180 180 180 350

50

30

30

180

Visa tariffs for US citizens are the same, regardless of country their permanent residence. Guest, tourist and transit visas for children under 16, for US citizens, cost 100USD.

Minsk. Pryvakzalnaya Square

For personal belongings (except furniture and transportation means, because special import procedure apply to them) purchased outside the territory of the Republic of Belarus with a total value of between 1,000 – 10,000 euro customs duty of 30% of their customs-evaluated cost should be paid. Export of ready currency from the Republic of Belarus without obligatory customs declaration and production of permissive documents is allowed if total value does not exceed the equivalent of 3,000 euro per person; with obligatory customs declaration, but without producing permissive documents – to the equivalent of 10,000 euro per person. Export of ready Belarusian roubles from the Republic of Belarus is allowed if total value does not exceed 100 times the minimal salary in the Republic of Belarus per person. Import of ready currency to the Republic of Belarus is not limited in accordance with requirements of customs laws; import of ready Belarusian roubles is allowed if total value does not exceed 100 times the minimal salary in the Republic of Belarus per person.

Minsk. New railway station building

By air All international and most flights from CIS countries land in the national airport Minsk-2. It is situated 40 km from the city. The building is divided into two wings: the left is for CIS flights and the right one for other international flights. The first floor is for Arrivals; the third one for Departures. Luggage checking rooms are situated on the ground floor. Exchange offices are situated on the first, second and third floors. A bank branch is on the first floor at the exit for international flight passengers. It is open 24 hours a day and exchanges money, processes operations for popular credit cards and sorts out the Tax-free system. Offices of air companies operating in Belarus are on the third floor of the airport, also there are a restaurant, bars and souvenir shops. At the end of the left wing, on the third floor, there is a post office (post, telephone, telegraph, fax, Xerox, Internet), open 24 hours a day. It is possible to stay at the airport hotel for 1-2 days.

You can get to the airport from downtown Minsk by taxi or by bus. The bus stop is opposite Terminal No 2 (1st floor, arrivals hall). The information telephone number is 004. A taxi stand is opposite Terminals No 5 and No 6. The cost of a ride to Minsk is around 0.25 USD/per km. It takes about 30-35 minutes.

By train

A newly-built railway station is situated in the very centre of Minsk. On the ground floor there are exits to platforms, a luggage checking rooms, shops and a WC (24 hours a day). Ticket offices, an information bureau, information table on arriving and leaving trains are all on the first floor. The second floor accommodates a waiting hall, a post office (24 hours a day, plus international telephone connections), pharmacy, bars and trade stalls. A tall house near by the station is Hotel “Express”. It is easy to get to any area in the city by subway or taxi from Privokzalnaya Square which is in front of the railway station.

Route Airport «Мinsk-2» — Central Bus Station (CBS) CBS

Moskovski BS

National Airport

Moskovski BS

CBS

5:30 6:25 8:40 9:40 12:10 13:10 15:25 16:25 19:10 20:10 22:15

5:55 6:55 9:10 10:10 12:40 13:40 15:55 16:55 19:40 20:35 22:35

7:00/7:10 7:55/8.10 10:05/10:45 11:05/11:45 13:40/13:50 14:40/14:50 16:55/17:05 17:55/18:40 20:40/20:50 21:30/21:40 23:25/23:35

8:05 9:05 11:40 12:40 14:45 15:45 18:00 19:40 21:45 22:35 0:20

8:30 9:30 12:00 13:00 15:10 16:10 18:25 20:00 22:05 23:00 0:35

Minsk. Kirov street

By bus Minsk has three bus stations. International buses arrive to the Central and Vostochnaya (Eastern) stations. The central bus station is a two-storey building near to the railway station. Luggage checking rooms are on the ground floor; ticket offices and information bureau are on the first floor. The ticket office for international trips is on the second floor (Monday-Saturday 8.00-21.00, Sunday 8.00-17.00, tel. 227 04 73). Here you will also find the “Evroavtoservice” office which sells tickets to European countries. Waiting hall, bar and telephones are also on the second floor. “Central” Bus Station 6, Bobruiskaya St., tel. 227-37-25 “Vostochny” Bus Station 34, Vaneev St., tel. 248-08-82, 248-58-21 “Moskovsky” Bus Station 59, Filimonov St., tel. 219-36-22 Central Bus Station, information – tel. 004 Booking in a day of departure – tel. 227-41-89 Advance booking – tel. 227-40-33 Booking for international routes – tel. 227-04-73

14, Nemiga Str., Мinsk. Тel. (+375 17) 210 41 00, 279 10 32

LATVIA

By car

12

RUSSIA

14

LITHUANIA 15 16 1 2

POLAND

Principal entering points for automobile transport on Belarusian-Polish border: 1 Bruzgi – KuznitsaBelostokskaya (for passenger cars) 2 Berestovitsa – Bobrovniki (for all cars) 3 Peschatka – Polovtsy (for passenger cars of citizens of Belarus and Poland) 4 Kozlovichi – Kukuryki (for trucks) 5 Varshavky Most – Terespol(for passenger cars) 6 Domachevo – Slovatyche (for passenger cars) on Belarusian-Ukrainian border: 7 Tomashevka – Pulemets 8 Mokrany – Domanovo 9 Verkhny Terebezhov – Gorodishche 10 Novaya Rudnya – Mokhro-Dolsk 11 Novaya Guta – Novye Yarilovochi On Belarusian-Latvian border: 12 Bigosovo – Paternieke 13 Urbany – Silene (for passenger cars and trucks of citizens of Belarus and Latvia) On Belarusian-Lithuanian border: 14 Vidzy – Tvaryachyus 15 Kamenny Log – Myadininkai 16 Benyakoni – Shalchininkai On Belarusian-Russian border any frontier points are cancelled.

13

3 4 5 6

11 7

9

8

UKRAINE

10

Rules for crossing the border

When entering the Republic of Belarus, the owner of the automobile should include the automobile’s data in the customs declaration. Belarus is in the valid zone of international car insurance policy. If an entering person does not have a “green card”, a citizen of countries bordering with Belarus can buy the Belarusian state insurance policy. It costs 5 Euros for 15 days for a passenger car; for one year the price is 53 Euros. The insurance policy can be bought at bureaus that are situated at every border entry point. It is oblig-

atory to have a driving license and car documents when entering Belarus. In Belarus it is mandatory to obey road traffic rules. Don’t forget – road militia watch closely. Traffic police in Belarus goes under the acronym ДАI (in Belarusian) or ГАИ (in Russian). In Belarus any amount of alcohol consumed while driving (including beer) is strictly prohibited by law. It is prohibited to drive under the influence of alcohol intoxication, narcotics, psychotropic and toxic substances. It is also strictly prohibited to use all those substances after a traffic accident before checks are performed by the police. Standing closer than 15 m to the edge of crossing traffic is banned. Stopping closer than 50 m to a railway crossing as well as on overpasses even if there are at least three road strips is prohibited. Keeping the engine running while stationary is forbidden.

Minsk. «City Gates»

When a car with blue and red rotating beacons nears your car (even if there is no demarcation strip) you should pull over near the pavement or a roadside as soon as possible. Drivers should do the same while approaching stopped automobiles with blue and red rotating beacons on them. It is allowed to keep moving only after a permissive signal of traffic-controller has been given. It is prohibited to overtake cars with special light and sound signals on, as well as to move in the adjoining strip with the same speed. These requirements are valid also for accompanied cars (accompanied columns). Towage on the highways is banned. It is forbidden to use transport means equipped with antiradar devices. It is not allowed for a driver to use a mobile phone while driving.

Service centres

Minsk. Kastrychnitskaya Square

They provide parking space for passenger cars and trucks, and often have hotel rooms. Breakfast, lunch and dinner and banquets can be held at their cafes. There are also maintenance stations. “Zvenchatka” Service centre Situated in Klimovichi District, Mogilev Oblast on the road P43 Ivatsevichi – Bobruisk – Krichev. Tel. (8-02244) 5-45-43. “Bigosovo” Service centre Situated in Verkhnedvinsk District, Vitebsk Oblast on the road P20 Vitebsk – Polotsk – Latvian border. Tel. (8-02151) 2-18-65. “Benyakoni” Service centre Situated in Voronov District, Grodno Oblast on the road P40 heading to Lithuanian border. Tel. (8-01594) 9-44-82. Automobile emergency Tel. 001, 007 and information service “SPAS” (24 hours a day) Tel. 236-30-01, 236-50-01 Emergency service for motorcar enthusiasts Tel. 265-27-27

Distance (km) from Minsk to big foreign cities Amsterdam..........................1867 Athens................................2859 Baku....................................2903 Belgrade...............................1756 Berlin....................................1105 Bern.....................................2264 Bratislava.............................1226 Brussels............................2060 Budapest............................1427 Bucharest.............................1625 Warsaw...............................542 Vienna...................................1271 Vilnius................................185 Kiev......................................559 Moscow................................690 Paris..................................2310 Prague...................................1161 Rome...................................2324 Sofia.....................................2018 Helsinki.................................1328

Minsk, capital of Belarus, first mentioned in the chronicle “Tale of Bygone Years”, at that time Minsk was already the city; its official birthday is March 3, 1067. Near thousand-year long history of the city is abound in information about captures, burnings, destructions, vigorous activity of its citizens, diversified nationalities and religions of its population, often change of power regimes. All these events made their mark on the appearance of the city. Nowadays Minsk is like a young duke, heir of a noble family radiant with youth and beauty. But behind these great new looks like pride and perdition of its ancestors – hundreds years of heroic and terrible history hiding beautiful and weird stories in which legends have been mixed with established facts, and truth – with fiction.

Historical buildings, green parks, unusual water system of the capital all align modern comfort and natural elegance with impregnations of refined antiquity. Unfortunately, during the Second World War, Minsk was heavily destroyed and not many old buildings have survived. But constructions of Belarusian architects of the 20th century

have won entries in “The World Architecture” Encyclopaedia published by the world architectural community. Namely the outstanding buildings are Government House, the built-up housing along Francysk Skorina Avenue, Slepyanskaya Water and Green System, the National Exhibition Centre “BelExpo”.

Minsk. The Town Hall

City space skilfully used during the centuries appeals not only to by its power but also by the emotions and intelligence invoked when gazing at its whole. It is not enough to look around Minsk and just enjoy its beauty. Minsk is a city one has to know. Minsk is a demanding game for those able to read the meticulous engravings of time. If you made the effort to know this city better it would turn your head – much more than typical places of tourist interest. Part of your soul will stay in Minsk long after you have left the city.

Minsk was first mentioned in the chronicles because of a fierce battle, and since then history of this city has written plenty bloody pages. Land on which Minsk stands has been abundantly soaked in the blood of its heroic defenders, innocent victims and guileful invaders. Simple enumeration of important dates of the city’s history is an endless list of battles: the siege and then capture of Minsk by troops of the Great Duke of Kiev Vladimir Monomakh; the burning of the city by Duke Svidrigailo; the assault by Crimean Khan Makhmet-Girey; taken by Russian troops during the RussianPolish War; then – occupation by the Swedes during the North War, by the French – during Patriotic War of 1812, by the Germans – in 1919, by the Poles – in 1920 and at last occupation by the Nazis which reduced the city to ruins during the Second World War.

Fortunately, in Minsk’s rich history there are also other events: the incorporation into the Great Lithuanian Principality; the privilege of selfgovernment according to the Statute of Magdeburg; the formation of a Minsk Voevode (district) with Minsk as its centre; incorporation into the Russian Empire as a result of the splitting of the Rzecz Pospolita; the designation and marking of a Minsk Guberniya (district) with Minsk as its centre; the proclamation of Minsk as the capital of Belarusian SSR; now, finally Minsk as the capital of the Republic of Belarus. Francysk Skaryna

Minsk. Kastrychnitskaya Square

It’s likely that Minsk deserves less bloody history but possibly such cities exist for special anxious attitude and tragic history contributes to the feeling. Relics of time miraculously survived till today are like precious stones interlaced with the variegated fabric of this city. Almost completely destroyed during WWII and afterwards awarded the title “Heroic City”,

Minsk the Warrior has turned into Minsk the Flower shyly opening its petals to every loving and attentive person. You should try to visit Minsk during different seasons – its dazzling summer colours change to motley autumn, then the strict graphic arts come in wintry grey-white-black, before returning in triumph with an all-conquering blooming – the rejoicing of spring. Despite historic upheavals, Minsk was growing, widening, constructing new buildings, erecting new churches, laying out parks and squares, printing books and newspapers, opening theatres, museums, libraries, schools, hospitals, developing industries and transport. Its warmth, cosiness and original architecture have attracted many worthy and famous people. Many writers, artists, musicians, actors and scientists have lived and worked in the city. The capital of Belarus remembers well the renowned politicians, dukes and voevodes, tsars and revolutionaries who went down in history through their brave feats or misdeeds. Innumerable regimes brought changes, fights and falls, oblivions then fame, ceremonies; the generations have updated, changed but the city just kept on living. Noticeable sense of reality plus vivid marks of Minsk’s fine and terrible past merge together and create a unique aura of at one time a young and an ancient city.

Guests of Minsk are impressed by the wide avenues in the very centre of the capital (a rarity for such an old city), contrasting combinations of newly-built high-risers which neighbour quiet streets. Every house has the special mark of the owner’s individuality. The city of knowledge and science intensive technologies, former gigantic assembly department of the once huge and mighty state – the USSR – Minsk managed to keep its unique natural character. Minsk today is generously beautified with green parks, gardens and squares, charming curves of natural and man-made rivers and rivulets. Take a walk along Minsk streets that remember hundreds of eminent visitors, touch its rich history. Feel a subtle breath of time still living on the streets of the old historic centre. There are a number of versions of how the name Minsk (Menesk, Mensk) originated. It is connected to River Menka which flows into the River Ptich near to the city; also to the epic hero Menesk; to the word “mena” (exchange) – according to one legend on the spot of the modern city there was once a market. The exchange of trade and goods was very active there and that is why a new town that sprung up there got the name Mensk, later Minsk.

It is impossible to tell in words about special delicacy of the Belarusian capital atmosphere; even the most talented photography can not do that. You have to come to Minsk to feel its unique energy, to see everything with your own eyes… you will never forget this city.

It is widely accepted that Minsk initially appeared 16 km from where the modern city stands, near Gorodishche Village by the River Menka (nearly dried up nowadays). It existed there up to the 11th century and then was transferred to a small hill on the right bank of the River Svisloch, near the place where the River Nemiga flows into it. Minsk was mentioned in chronicles as a city belonging to the Polotsk Principality. It was here (now the area around Svoboda Square and Masherov Avenue) that strong fortifications of an administrative and military centre were built. Edifices have been encircled by a ditch and enclosed by an earthen rampart 8 m in height. On its ridge wooden walls stood. Population of the settlement was around 400-500 people. They were engaged in various crafts, agriculture, weaving, fishing, hunting and trade. In the 12-13th centuries, a crafts’ court and market square named Nemizhsky Market (since the 16th century – Nizhniy (Lower) Market) was formed. On the left bank of the River Svisloch, near by Troitskaya Hill the Troitskoye suburb sprung up. Rakovskoye suburb and Pyatnitsky cul-de-sac (Tatarskaya Outskirt) were populated and adjoined to the castle territories.

Verkhny Gorod (Upper Town) It is better to start familiarization with the city from its sacred places.

Minsk. 12th century engraving

Upper Town is one of the most interesting parts of the capital, real historical diamond with every its side to reflect big space of time, cultural and political life of the ancient city. It is the place where epochs, cultures and architectural stiles carry on a quiet dialogue. This territory became inhabited as long ago as in the 12th century but has got its name – the Upper Town – in the 16th century. Starting from that time and up to the middle of 20th century this was the administrative centre of Minsk. Buildings of all times and various architectural styles form the unique ensemble. In the centre of the Upper Town once main (Ratushnaya, Sobornaya, nowadays Svoboda) Minsk square is situated. Adjoining streets are also living history beautified by masterpieces of architects of different epochs. Some streets such as Revolyutsionnaya (before Koidanovskaya) were initially roads connected Minsk with the nearest towns and only after turned into the city streets.

While on sight-seeing please pay attention to the Jesuits’ monastery, Mariinsk Catholic church, old city palace in which currently city military registration and enlistment office is situated. Depths of Svoboda Square keep many secrets and the most mys-

terious of them all are up to these days not properly explored underground passages connected main Minsk monasteries. These passages are still waiting explorers not indifferent to mysteries of the past.

Cyril i Mephody Street (former Bolshaya Bernardinskaya) is one of very few with intact building up of the 17-18th centuries. St Bernard monastery and St Bernard nunnery are especially worth attention. In 1870 St Bernard nunnery was handed over to Orthodox Church and after the Second World War its former church became Orthodox cathedral. It is famous for many icons of Belarusian painting school of the 17-19th centuries and particularly for the icon of the Blessed Virgin of Minsk, the most esteemed in the city. The cathedral also accommodates sarcophagus of St Sofia, the last representative of the Dukes of Slutsk family. In 16-17th centuries she became famous as patroness of the Belarusian Orthodox Church. Masons’ House (5, Muzykalny Lane) attracts attention with its splendid and beautiful facade. The building was constructed at the beginning of 19th century. According to some information it belonged to the Minsk Lodge “Severny Fakel” (North Torch) and the building’s plan resembling Latin cross confirms this version by indirection. In accordance with other sources there were no connections to any mason lodges and the building got this name without any grounds. Along Gertsen Street part of trade stalls remained. As archeological findings revealed in the Middle Ages cemetery was situated here. At the

Minsk. Gertsen Street

end of the 18th century small shops were attached to the cemetery’s fence. Later on these shops were united into one big complex named “Bernardinskiye kramy” (St Bernard shops). In the course of the whole 19th century trade stalls were rebuilt again and again and has got a new name – “Vilenchuki”. There are plans to restore the stalls in accordance with results of archeological digs. Muzykalny Lane is one of the most scenic streets of Minsk which dip passers-by into the old city atmosphere. At present the most of old buildings restored and accommodate various institutions. Troitskoye Suburb is an excellent decoration for a day-dreaming, small isle of the past times in the heart of the modern city, place of pilgrimage for citizens and guests of Minsk. According to archeological findings the suburb became populated in the 12th century. In the 15th century St Trinity church opened here (was situated on the territory currently occupied by No 2 Hospital) and gave the name for the area (Trinity means Troitsa in Russian). In 1506 on the most elevated part of the suburb Catholic church was built (now on this spot Opera and Ballet Theatre situated) and later big market square appeared. By the beginning of the 19th century Troitskoye suburb preserved its medieval appearance but later stormy historical events strongly altered its appearance.

The old quarter (Bogdanovich, Yanka Kupala, Starovilenskaya streets and Kommunalnaya Embankment) of Troitskoye Suburb was restored in 1980-s. This oasis of tranquility and delicacy has plenty of secluded corners which are conducive for rest and meditation. For those tired of bustle of the big city museums, cafes, small shops and souvenir stalls are opened. Peculiar relief makes trips to this charming place fascinating. At the intersection of Bogdanovich Street and Kommunalnaya Embankment monument to the renowned Belarusian painter of the beginning of the 20th century Yazep Drozdovich is erected.

Troitskiy (St Trinity) monastery (2, Bogdanovich Street) is a building of a difficult fate. The church was built here as long ago as in the 15th century. Then attached to it Uniate Troitsky monastery was founded and at the end of the 18th century new stone buildings have been constructed. Fire of 1809 damaged the monastery but it was restored. After liquidation of the Uniate Church in 1839 it was rebuilt as the city hospital and still operates in this capacity. At 23, Bogdanovich Street the Third House of Soviets is situated. It is a typical commune-house that has being built in Minsk before WWII. Constructed in 1936 the building preserved its main architectural features.

Mariavites’ nunnery (29, Bogdanovich Street) was built in 1811. In 1953 the main building was changed and two more stories built on. Now it accommodates Suvorov Military School. Opera and Ballet Theatre situated deep in a small park on the spot of former Troitskiy Catholic church. At the beginning of the 19th century the church was burnt down and has never been restored. The theatre has being built in 1935-1937. During the Second World War the square around the theatre was barbed wired and used as a camp for prisoners of war. Rakovskoye Suburb is like an ancient encrustation on a palm of the modern city. This Minsk district is one of the oldest that was populated as long ago as in 11th century. Many ancient streets such as Zamkovaya, Podzamkovaya, Zavalnaya, and Nemiga were formed. In the 18thbeginning of the 20th centuries it was an area with prevalent Jewish population. During WWII it was here Minsk ghetto was situated.

St Peter and St Paul Cathedral

At the present a number of old quarters along Rakovskaya, Vitebskaya, Osvobozhdeniya, Zamkovaya and Dimitrov streets remained. They can be compared with a sketch, light outline of the past days created by an ascetic hand and casting sweet memories. Nemiga Street got its name from the river of chronicles which with time became shallow and was put into a header. One of the most interesting places of Rakovskoye Suburb is Rakovskaya Street with many historical buildings. Here you can find St Peter and Paul church erected in the 16-17th centuries and rebuilt in the 19th century with frescos of the 1718th centuries, monastery house, synagogue built at the end of the 18th century and recently rebuilt. On Vitebskaya Street plant of the 19th century remained. On No 10, Osvobozhdeniya Street Diocesan Administration is situated. It was built in 1985 on the spot where in the 17th century Carmelite monastery later transferred to Minorities stood for many years. The second floor of the building accommodates an All Belarusian Saints church richly decorated with carved icons.

Green Minsk The big city of 2 million people does not lose its natural charms. Modern Minsk generously adorned with green parks and gardens, fascinating curves of natural and manmade rivers and rivulets. The favourite place of all Minsk citizens is a Botanic Garden which pleases all with its unique natural landscapes, magnificent lake and graceful swans, collection of thoroughly selected rare and relic plants. There are number of parks for a family day-out. Among them are Gorky Central Children’s Park with its planetarium and modern attractions, Chelyuskintsy Park, 50th Anniversary of the Great October Park. Both parents and children would never forget a trip to the Minsk Zoo. For amateurs of antiquity Loshitsy Garden and Park which includes scenic landscapes and old estate is an ideal place for rest. Both grown-ups and children like moving sculptures in a nice Mikhailovsky Small Park. Even during hot days Central (former Aleksandrovsky) Small Park attracts citizens and guests of Minsk by its coolness. Don’t miss an opportunity to visit the world’s only Park of Boulders.

Necklace made of rivers, rivulets, natural and man-made reservoirs is the best adornment for the city. They are marvelous with many decorative dams and cascades. Falling water sparkles like a plumage of paradise birds; it shimmers and glares in the sun rays. Emerald green banks comfortable and well-equipped for the rest attract many people. But not many of them know that Slepyanskaya Green and Water System is unique engineering project with no analogues in the world. In 1989 the authors of this project were awarded with the USSR State Award. It also included into the encyclopedia “The World Architecture, 1900-2000”. Length of the system is 24 km (within the precincts of the city – 17 km). Reservoirs’ banks are the favourite place of rest for Minsk people, especially because water (moving water in particular) is beneficial for ecology. Fountains are like amazing beads in bluish-green frame of the city. The first in modern Minsk history Festivals of Fountains was held in 2003. It is likely this festival will become annual. There are around 50 fountains in the city. Many of this “water-jets” (this is how they were called in the past) are pretty old. The oldest and the most famous of them all is “A Boy with a Swan” in the Central Small Park. This is the first Minsk fountain built in 1874 – the same year Minsk water-supply system was launched. People of Minsk

and guests of the city know well other city fountains – “Vremena Goda” (Four Seasons) on Masherov Avenue, “Venok” (Wreath) in Yanka Kupala Small Pak. The idea of the latter was cast on by literary heritage of this famous Belarusian poet. Last years new man-made springs have been created, old ones nave been reconstructed and now impress with splendid appearance, original conceptions and brilliance of lightning.

Minsk Museums These muses’ temples are ready to show to visitors their innumerable treasures, unique cultural possessions of the nation. The most popular in the country is the National Fine Arts Museum. Its collection includes around 25,000 exhibits. The most valuable of them are ancient Belarusian icons, wooden sculptures of the 16-17th centuries, famous belts of Slutsk. The museum is proud to own collections of paintings that include works by famous Russian artists Shishkin, Aivazovsky, Serov, Savrasov, Borovikovsky, Bryullov, Perov, Kuindzhi, Polenov, Levitan, Vasnetsov, Repin, Kustodiev. Collection of Belarusian masters includes works by Pen, ByalynitskyBirulya, and Khrutsky. Either of 25 collections of the National Museum of History and Culture of Belarus includes unique exhibits with great historical value. For example, horseshoe-shaped fibula – metallic buckle of the 10th-first half of the 11th centuries, golden bracelet of the 12th-beginning of the 13th centuries found in Minsk. 111 treasures both monetary and of things are kept in the museum’s funds. Every one of them is of high value and Minsk treasure which consists of 547 objects is priceless. Rich collection of musical instruments contains a violin of the 17th century made by Galliano who was a contemporary of Stradivarius, a

violin made by Madzhini, splendid collection of Belarusian national instruments. The museum’s pride are ancient manuscripts and hand-written books of the 15-16th centuries, collections of coins, stamps, weapons, clothes, objects of everyday use, jewelry, glass, ceramics, porcelain, etc. The Belarus State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War tells about horrible and heroic years of the country history.

House-Museum of the First Congress of the Russian Social-Democratic Workers’ Party 31a, Francysk Skorina Ave. Hours: 10.00 – 18.00, day off — Wednesday State Literary Yanka Kupala Museum 4, Yanka Kupala St. Hours: 10.00 – 17.00, day off – Friday

The National Fine Arts Museum 2, Lenin St. Hours: daily, 11.00 – 19.00, day off – Tuesday Vankovich House-Museum

The National Museum of the History and Culture of Belarus 12, Carl Marx St. Hours: daily, 11.00 – 19.00, day off – Wednesday The Belarus State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War 25a, Francysk Skorina Ave. Hours: daily, 10.00 – 17.00, day off — Monday Vankovich House-Museum 33a, Internatsionalnaya St. Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10.00 – 17.00

The Belarus State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War

Minsk Theatres There are more than 30 theatres in Minsk. Belarusian theatre is a symbiosis of the best traditions and striking innovations. Diverse repertoires, high level of productions, original staging, bright and poetic theatrical language attract connoisseurs and inexperienced spectators. Many performances become a grand event not only in theatrical but also in social life of the country. The National Academic Yanka Kupala Theatre is the oldest in the country. Experts are sure that originality, peculiarity and individuality of this theatre born at the turn of academism and experiment. The theatre’s repertoire includes modern plays, genre productions, Russian and foreign classic works. But in the core of the theatre’s repertoire are Belarusian national plays. Among the authors of the Yanka Kupala Theatre are many Belarus famous names such as writer V.Bykov, playwrights A.Makayonak, I.Chigrinov, N.Matukovsky, A.Dudarev. Birthday of the first permanent Opera Theatre in Belarus is May 25,1933 when the first show – opera “Carmen” by Bizet – was staged. Many opera stars such as Ludmila Shevchuk, Maria Gulegina, and Vyacheslav Polozov started their career on Belarusian stage. Many operas created by Belarusian composers – “Nadezhda Durova” by

Anatoly Bogatyrev, “Zorka Venera” by Yuri Semenyako, “Giordano Bruno” by Sergey Cortes, “Sedaya Legenda” by Dmitry Smolsky proved to be very popular with spectators. Among notable events of the last decade are new scenographic productions of the classic operas – “Rigoletto”, “Traviata”, “Carmen”, “Village Honor”, “Knyaz Igor”, “Boris Godunov”. The National Academic Bolshoi Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus was established in 1933 on the basis of Belarusian Opera and Ballet Studio. Progress of Belarusian ballet performances was caused by successful combination of classic dance and Belarusian national chore-

ography, folklore elements and dancers themselves. Ballets by Valentine Elizaryev are a “calling card” of the troupe both in and outside the country. V.Elizaryev’s disposition to incarnation of complicated philosophical problems, emotionality and innovation realized in ballets “CarmenSuite”, “Creation of the World”, “Spartacus”. Staged by V.Elizaryev in 1995 ballet “Passions (Rogneda)” caused a considerable social resonance. The ballet tells about fate of the Duchess of Polotsk Rogneda and covers many events of ancient history of Slavs including Christening of Russia by the Great Duke of Kiev Vladimir at the beginning of the 10th century. Ballets “Sacred Spring”, “Fire

The National Academic Yanka Kupala Theatre

Bird”, “Sleeping Beauty” are real masterpieces maintaining belief in triumph of beauty and harmony. Belarus State Musical Theatre, National Academic Gorky Drama Theatre, Film Actors Theatre-Studio are all popular with theatre-goers of Minsk. Little theatre amateurs are welcomed by the Young People’s Theatre and Puppet Theatre.

National Academic Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus 1, Parizhskaya Kommuna Sq., Minsk Tel. 234-06-66 (Box Office), 234-80-74, 234-11-42 National Academic Opera Theatre of the Republic of Belarus 1, Parizhskaya Kommuna Sq., Minsk Tel. 234-10-41 (Box Office), 234-11-56 (Administration)

National Academic Opera Theatre of the Republic of Belarus

National Academic Yanka Kupala Theatre 7, Engels St., Minsk tel. 229-92-80, 227-17-17

Belarus Republican Young People’s Theatre 26, Engels St., Minsk tel. 226-12-43, 226-01-67

National Academic Gorky Drama Theatre 5, Volodarsky St., Minsk tel. 220-15-41, 220-39-66

State Puppet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus 20, Engels St., Minsk tel. 227-05-32

State Musical Theatre of the Republic of Belarus 44,Myasnikov St., Minsk tel. 220-81-26, 220-92-54

Film Actors Theatre-Studio 13, Masherov Ave., Minsk (“Moskva” Cinema, Theatre Hall) tel. 203-08-71 Republic Belarusian Dramatic Art Theatre 44, Kropotkin St., Minsk tel. 234-60-08 Youth Theatre 1, Dauman St., Minsk tel. 234-30-62 Youth Variety Art Theatre 18a, Moskovskaya St., Minsk tel. 222-82-96 Drama Theatre “Dze-Ya?” 16, Liza Chaikina St., Minsk tel. 243-40-42, 243-94-71 One Actor Theatre “Znich” 15, Nezavisimost Sq., Minsk tel. 231-75-53 Central Box Office 13, Francysk Skaryna Sq., Minsk

Circus 32, Francysk Skaryna Ave., Minsk tel. 227-74-30, 227-22-45

Sacred Minsk

There are more than hundred religious communities and around 30 religious establishments in the capital. Around 70% of Minsk population is Orthodox, around 20% are Catholics, and there are also Protestants, Old Believers, Jews, and Muslims. Many religious buildings of different confessions survived in Minsk. Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant churches and synagogues are open for believers. St Spirit Cathedral (former Catholic church of the St Bernard nunnery) is a temple of rich and tragic history. It contains an icon of the Blessed Virgin of Minsk, the most esteemed in the capital, sarcophagus of St Sofia, the last representative of Slutsk dukes family.

Zolotogorsky St Rokh Catholic church (aka Troitsky Catholic church on Zolotaya Gorka) has being built in 1861-1864 at the former Catholic cemetery. In its interior fragments of fancy paintings remained. There is a legend about the church’s statue of St Rokh – people believe that in one’s time it saved Minsk citizens from epidemic of plague. Nowadays the church used as a musical hall where organ concerts often organized. Kalvarisky Catholic church is situated on the cemetery of the same name. Starting from the 18th century many aristocrats and people without titles have been buried there. In 1967 the cemetery was closed for new burials. It is the last resting place for poet Y.Luchina and artist Y.Damel. Specialists also recommend to see St Peter and Paul cathedral – building of Early Baroque with Renaissance elements; St Maria Magdalene church, St Alexander Nevsky church, The Protection of the Virgin church; church In Honour of the Icon of the Blessed Virgin “Finding of All Those Perished”; church In Honour of the Icon of the Blessed Virgin “Joy of All Mourners” dedicated to all victims of the Chernobyl catastrophe; Catholic The Blessed Virgin Cathedral and St Simeon and Elena Catholic church.

New Minsk Minsk often compared to the legendary Phoenix – frequently destroyed it raised from the ashes again and again and every time got a new – always better than before – appearance. During last decades Minsk has changed considerably and has got many new modern buildings. Probably one of the most known of them is the Palace of the Republic, a kind of symbol and monument for a gone Soviet regime. People often call it “sarcophagus”. A big modern building of a railway station has changed one of the best squares of the city – Privokzalnaya Square. By the way, other original building on the square has also got a new appearance after reconstruction. Original architectural idea of “Moskovsky” Bus Station makes it one of the most unusual constructions in Minsk. Among newly-erected buildings are Ice Palace, Olympic Sports and Fitness Centre, Water Sports Palace, restored Town Hall and a new National Library (under construction). Many new churches are also being built in Minsk.

Minsk Night Life For those attracted by alluring aroma of the night, for those craving for simple pleasures of life and for those adventurous Minsk night widely opens its arms. For romantics there are all necessary attributes of “dolce vita” – flickering lights of night clubs, discos, bars and casinos. Dozens of entertainment establishments are happy to make you trip to Minsk unforgettable. Shows are colourful, dances are lively, cheerful and friendly Minsk citizens are ready to keep you a company. If you like to feel bubbling life around – you are welcome to disco, stadium or concert of youth’s music group. Age does not matter – you will feel yourself young, sprightly, full of vigour and ready to spend a good and joyful night. Nothing else is as changeable as fashion for night clubs. Here you can dance, make new friends (Minsk night clubs are famous for their free atmosphere) and will always find something new and captivating. Original interiors of discos and night clubs will entertain and surprise even the most experienced party-goers. Minsk night clubs have shows catering for any taste – from exotic dances to serious music programmes. After tiresome entertainment you are welcome to beauty salons and fitness centres. Here you can find relaxing comfort as well as traditional medicine and cosmetology. You can easily spend a whole day of self-indulgence. Masherova Avenue

Brest Oblast Vitebsk Oblast Gomel Oblast Grodno Oblast Minsk Oblast Mogilev Oblast

Brest Fortress-Hero

Brest Oblast Brest Oblast is situated in the south-west of the country, it borders with Poland and Ukraine. The centre of the Oblast is Brest with population of 300 000.

Southern part of the Oblast occupied by unique natural and ethno cultural land named Polesye. The main water artery of the Oblast River Pripyat with many tributaries flows here. For protection of the natural specifics of the territory 12 reserves, 29 protected natural monuments organized in the Oblast. The main pride is the State National Park Belovezhskaya Pushcha, the unique forest land on the northwest of the Oblast. Total square of the Park is 87,6 thousand hectares with more than 900 species of plants. More than 60 species of animals headed by the symbol of Belarus – European bison – live in the Park. It was here in Viskuli Village leaders of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine signed famous “Belovezha Agreement” that finished existence of the USSR. Now this “death site” of the once mighty empire is very popular with tourists. Kamenyuki Village (Kamenets District) hosts Belovezskaya Pushcha Museum. Don’t miss an opportunity to see one of the Belarus national symbols – famous Kamenetsky Column, widely known as Belaya

Vezha (White Tower). This tower was built in the 12th century and still impresses with strength and elegance. Territory of the Brest Oblast is rich with historical and cultural monuments. More than 120 old parks and estates, 2084 monuments of history and architecture situated here. One of the most ancient is Berestye Archeology Complex with buildings of the 11-12th centuries. One of the most valuable history and architecture monuments is Catholic church in Ishkold Village (Baranovichi District) constructed in original Belarusian Gothic style and Catholic church in Chernovchitsy Village (Brest District) in Renaissance style, monastery of Cartesian Order in Bereza town, St George church in Sinkevichi Village (Luninets District). Remnants of Sapegas’ Palace in Ruzhany (17-18th centuries) despite its dilapidated conditions create indelible impression – imposing columns of majestic faзade, elegant galleries “embrace” the palace…

Brest is traditional “Western” gates of the country, the city with glorious centuries-old history and the amazing present. The city was first mentioned in annals in 1019. In 1390 it was the first Belarus city granted the privilege of self-government according to the Statute of Magdeburg. It was here in 1596 the historical Brest Union conciliated and united Catholicism and Orthodoxy in Belarus was concluded. In 1917 Bolshevik government with Lenin on its head signed “BrestLitovsk” Peace with Germany during the First World War. During the Second World War the city grew famous because of outstanding heroism of defenders of the Brest Fortress, which lately got the title “HeroBrest

Fortress”. Today “Brest Fortress-Hero” is one of the most visited tourist attractions of the city. Feat of Soviet soldiers who first accepted treacherous attack of Nazi Germany in simmer of 1941 and who kept defense – unbelievable in those conditions! – giving the country an opportunity to summon its strength – this feat is truly legendary and deserved to be remembered forever. Look at red walls of the fortress, literally riddled with machine-gun fire – more than 60 years they remind about heroes. Modern Brest is a border city, vigorous and energetic. In 1996 free economic area was established here for the period of next 50 years. It caused considerable reviving of business activity in the Oblast.

Kamenets

Kobrin

Viskuli

Brest Fortress-Hero

Belaya Veza

Vitebsk

Vitebsk Oblast

Vitebsk Oblast situated in the north-east of the Republic of Belarus, it borders with Lithuania, Latvia and Russia and occupies one fifth of the country’s territory. The centre of the Oblast is Vitebsk with population of 367 000.

Land of Vitebsk is a true lake kingdom; biggest part of Belarusian Poozerye (ozero means “lake” in Russian, Poozerye – “Land of Lakes”) and 11 of 19 biggest Belarus lakes situated here. These unique natural features give inexpressible charm to the area which is famous far beyond

Belarus borders. One of the brightest pearls of the Vitebsk Oblast is Braslavskiye Lakes complex – there are more than 50 reservoirs with total area of 130 sq km and extant in natural conditions rare plants and animals. This area has a great tourist’s potential. The oldest Belarus city – Polotsk – also situated in the Oblast. Kutensky monastery in Orsha, Troitsky Catholic church in Glubokoye also well worth your attention. Vitebsk is the second cultural capital of the country, site for “Slavyansky Bazaar” — International Song Festival — which held annually at the end of July-beginning of August. In Vitebsk you can look over an old Town Hall and memorial Obelisk commemorating defeat of Napoleon troops. Vitebsk is a hometown for many famous people. Admittedly the most

famous is a “genuine dreamer” Marc Chagall. He called the city “my second Paris”, Vitebsk views of the beginning of the 20th century can easily be traced in many of his works.

Marc Chagall

Gomel Oblast

Gomel Oblast is situated in the south-eastern part of Belarus and borders with Ukraine and Russia. The centre of the Oblast is Gomel which has a population of 515 000.

Gomel Oblast is one of the most industrially developed regions in the country. Its southern location and mild climate favour agriculture developing. Natural treasure of the Gomel region is Polesye, the unique land of swamps, peatbogs and waterlogged lakes situated on the Polesskaya Lowland. During Soviet times fragile natural balance of this land was seriously upset – swamps have being drained for extending of agricultural fields. Fortunately, plenty of things have survived and nowadays a visitor to the Pripyatsky National Park can admire landscapes unique to this region and watch rare species of animal and plant kingdoms. Gomel Oblast was rather seriously impacted by the Chernobyl Nuclear Power-Station catastrophe in 1986. Sometimes later the Polessky Radiation and Ecological Reserve has been established. Its purpose is to preserve, research and forecast further

impacts of radiation on natural complexes. Gomel region’s rich history has left plenty of historical and architectural monuments: St Bernard Catholic church in Mozyr (17-18th centuries), Jesuits’ Catholic Church and Collegium in Kalinkovichi (18th century), St Nicholas church (end of the 17thbeginning of the 18th century) in Petrikov. Gomel is the second city in Belarus in terms of size. The city’s landmark is the unique monument of the 18-19th centuries – the Palace and Park Ensemble. It includes the aristocrats Rumyantsevs-Paskevichs’ palace, St Peter and Paul cathedral, the Dukes Paskevichs’ chapel and the burial vault and the ancient park. In Gomel downtown area number of buildings of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century remained.

Grodno

Grodno Oblast Grodno Oblast is situated in the north-west of Belarus, bordering with Poland and Lithuania. The centre of the Oblast is the town of Grodno, which has a population of 309 000. The biggest treasure of the Oblast is its vast forestlands which occupy more than third of its territory. On the south-west of the Oblast there is the famous Belovezhskaya Pushcha – a national park that has been included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. The history of the Grodno region starts off as being full of confrontations, but then changes to a peaceful coexistence between the Baltic and the Slavonic tribes which has characterized the territory to this day. Novogrudok was the birthplace of the Belarusian state system. Other cities of the Oblast were among the first granted the privilege of self-government according to the Statute of Magdeburg. One of the most famous sites in the Grodno region is Mir Castle, loved for its dynamic appearance. “The Red Castle”, as it is also known, is a true pilgrimage destination for tourists. Specialists think that ruins of the Novogrudok Castle (dating to the 16th-18th centuries) have an equal value. With just a touch of imagination, the castle’s former fortifications, towers and palace will appear clearly in your eye.

In Grodno Oblast you can also see some unique architectural constructions which had been used for military as well as religious purposes. In the 15th-16th centuries, the function of many an Orthodox church doubled up with being a fortress to protect the local population from attack. Hence, in some way the churches resemble fortified castles with towers. Churchfortresses can be seen today in Zelven (a construction dating to the end of the 15th century) and Shchuchin (16th century) Districts. Smorgon’s 16th century Genevan cathedral is also worthy of attention. Grodno Fortress appeared on the banks of the River Neman in the 11th century and went on to become a big, modern city accommodating more architectural monuments than any other Belarusian town. The city’s historical centre was determined as a national treasure by the Belarusian authorities, and it is now under state protection. Take a stroll along Grodno’s pedestrian streets and you will feel charm of this city. Climb Zamkovaya Hill and look over the New and the Old castles. Farny Catholic church on Sovetskaya Square has stood in the centre of the city from of the olden days. This cathedral, built in the 16th century, impresses with its splendid interior. The oldest of remaining churches is Kolozhskaya (12th century). However, St Francis (17th century) and St Bernard (16th century) Catholic churches could also prove of interest. Kolozhskaya church

Zaslavl

Raubichi

Minsk Oblast Minsk Oblast is situated in the centre of the country (refer to the chapter “Minsk, the capital” for more information about the city of Mink in particular). Besides entertainment and places of interest within the perimeters of Minsk, there are plenty of wonderful sights on the outskirts of the capital. Located in Minsk District, the ancient town of Zaslavl has an astonishing mythical past that is full of drama. According to legend, for an attempt on the life of the Great Duke Vladimir, his wife, proud Princess of Polotsk Rogneda, and their son Izyaslav were both exiled. The town got its name from Izyaslav. Rogneda adopted Christianity and established the first nunnery in Eastern Europe in the town. Today, Zaslavl accommodates the State History and Culture Reserve, which has on display some remains from the town’s castle fortifications of the 16th-17th centuries, from the ethnographic “Mlyn” (Mill) complex and a 19th century steam mill. The Savior Transfiguration church built in the second half of the 16th beginning of the 17th century is famous for Symon Budny, a 16th century humanist and enlightener, having preached there. Also of note can be the restored baroque Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin, built in 1774

from donations by the Pshezdeckys Counts. About 20 kilometres from Minsk there’s a “Raubichi” Sports and Recreation Centre. It was built to host major ski competitions and has already accommodated the Biathlon World Championships three times. Nowadays, the centre is also a popular holiday and weekend destination with its own hotels and cosy cottages. The locality’s environs of forests and lakes, plus the sauna, outdoor kebab, ski jumps, sledging and cross-country skiing facilities in winter make this complex very popular with Minsk citizens. A historical monument in the shape of a 19th century Catholic church, the home of the Museum of Belarusian Folk Arts, is also situated here. In “Staiki” Olympic Recreation Centre (25 km from Minsk) one will find everything necessary to have a fun and healthy time: fitness halls, sauna, billiard club, paintball and opportunities to play sport. There is a sports equipment hire facility. “Dudutki” open-air ethnographic

museum complex, situated around 40 km from Minsk, is a place to catch up on Belarus’ manufacturing past. On show are Belarus’ only old mill, a pottery and a joiner’s shop, smithy and bakery, horse stables and a museum of old automobiles. Nearby there stands Kurgan Slavy (Mound of Fame) – a World War II monument dedicated to the courage and heroism of soldiers who liberated Belarus from the Nazis in 1944 and the “Khatyn” memorial complex that commemorates victims of the Nazi atrocities. It is a stunning monument to a Belarusian village which was burnt

to the ground along with all of its inhabitants in 1943.

Zaslavl

Mogilev Oblast Mogilev Oblast is situated in the eastern part of Belarus and borders with Russia. The centre of the Oblast is Mogilev which has a population of 371 000. The main cities in the region are Mogilev, Krichev, and Mstislavl, and they date back to the 12th-13th centuries. Mogilev Oblast acted as the stage for some fierce battles, of which only memorials and obelisks now stand as reminders. Near Lesnaya Village memorial complex to commemorate the 200th anniversary Russian victory over the Swedish troops there stand a chapel and a museum. Buinichskoye Field memorial keeps the memory of heroes from the Second World War. It was here that in July 1941 soldiers of 388 Rifle Division heroically held the line. Over this field ashes of the famous writer Constantine Simonov have being dispersed. Among the most notable sites relating to contemporary history is the town of Shklov – the hometown of Belarus’ first president, Alexander Lukashenka. Mogilev was almost destroyed during WWII, but some of its monuments have survived. There is the site of the 16th-17th century castle Zamchishche, the St Nicholas monastery, the Three Consecrators’ Cathedral. St Stanislaw Catholic church hosts organ music

concerts. Every year Mogilev hosts two festivals, one of retro music “Zolotoi Shlyager” (Golden Hits) in November and of religious music “Magutny Bozha” (Mighty God) in July-August.

POLOTSK Polotsk is often referred to as “The City of All Belarusian Cities”, “The Belarusian Mecca”, the spiritual cradle and the first capital of the Belarusian people. All these names formed for a reason. Belarus indeed had its first capital in Polotsk; from here originate the country’s medieval state system and culture. The annals mention Polotsk for the first time in 862 making it one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe. But, a centuries-old local legend tells of a unique Polotsk civilization having existed as a contemporary of ancient Greece and Rome. In the legend, underground labyrinths of Polotsk surpass that of Crete’s famous Knoss Labyrinth. Polotsk was at the height of its power in the 11th century when its ruler was Duke Vseslav Charodei (Vseslav the Sorcerer) who got his nickname for his military leadership and political astuteness. At exactly that time, the Principality stretched from the Baltic Sea to the west, to Smolensk suburbs to the east. It was a strategically important geographical position on the ancient route “From Varangians to the Greeks”, which allowed Polotsk citizens to take advantages by trading with Scandinavia, the Baltic countries and Byzantium. Polotsk citizens knew fame not only as military men. In the 12th century the city became the birthplace of an

original architectural school. Around 20 stone churches were built in the ancient capital – the biggest number among all the Belarusian cities in those days. The bright pearl of Polotsk architecture is by right The Savior Transfiguration Church with its unique frescos. Cross of St Efrosinniya of Polotsk was made by master Lazar Bogsha, and has the status of being a Belarusian Sacred Item. At the beginning of the 13th century Polotsk became a firm barrier for the Crusaders who were striving to enslave the Baltic and EasternSlavonic people. In 1307, Polotsk was added to the Great Lithuanian Principality, although it kept all of its rights and privileges. For example, the city had a right to conclude treaties with foreign states independently, the city’s voevode (military commander) could not be appointed without the consent of the locals, Polotsk citizen could be put on trial only in their hometown. In 1498, Polotsk got the privilege of self-government according to the Statute of Magdeburg which at the time was a mark of a truly European city. By the 16th century it was considered the biggest and richest town in the Principality after the capital Vilnya. In the 16th-17th centuries, Polotsk’s power was undermined by destructive bloody wars between the Great Lithuanian Principality and Russia. But

the powerful spiritual tradition of the city has survived. The names of Polotsk’s famous citizens, such as the first printer in Belarus and the Eastern Europe, Francysk Skorina, are well known around the world. UNESCO celebrated Skorina’s 500th anniversary and proclaimed 1990 as “The Year of Francysk Skorina”.

ably one day its underground labyrinths will be found and excavated, and its rich St Sofia Cathedral library and the miracle-working Cross of St Efrosinniya of Polotsk too.

City Sights

It would be impossible to list the city’s cultural icons and not mention Simeon of Polotsk – a talented poet, translator, and thinker of the 17th century. The Catholic Jesuits’ Order also marks a vivid page in the history of Polotsk: its monks established a highschool – the Collegium (1581), built the amazing St Stefan Cathedral, opened a printing-house, a pharmacy, and founded a theatre and a botanical garden. The level of education in the Collegium was so high, that in 1812 it received the status of being an Academy. A giant in the ranks of Belarus’ history, Polotsk is still not completely explored and unravelled. It can open its mysteries to those who fall in love with the city. And who knows – prob-

St Sofia Cathedral was built in 1044-1066 under orders from the Duke Vseslav Bryachislavovich. It symbolized the ethnic and territorial unity of Polotsk people and stressed the political independence of this citystate. Its construction was completed jointly by Byzantine architects and local builders. A rich library was kept in the cathedral, where the Polotsk Chronicle was recorded. Both the library and the Chronicle disappeared without a trace during the Livon War. In 1710, as a result of an explosion of a gunpowder depot placed in the cathedral by Tsar Peter I the building was severely damaged. In 1738-1750 it was rebuilt according to a project by architect I. Glaubitz in a later Baroque style. Since its restoration in 1985, St Sofia Cathedral accommodates a museum of the cathedral’s history and a concert hall with an organ. Every year festivals of chamber and organ music attract many famous performers. “Borisov Kamen” (Boris’ Stone): Nearby to the cathedral stands a unique monument of 12th century epigraphy. Borisov Kamen is a huge boulder with a graven cross and the inscription “Dear Lord, please help

Boris, your slave”. This text was formulated by the Duke of Polotsk, Boris Vseslavovich, and ordered to be carved with crosses on boulders esteemed by pagans. The Nunnery of the Savior St Efrosinniya was established in the 1120s by Princess Efrosinniya of Polotsk, 2 km to the north of the city. The nunnery ensemble includes: The Church of the Savior St Efrosinniya, Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross, a “warm” church, a two-storey building, gates-belfry and a residential block. The Church of the Savior St Efrosinniya was built in 1161 by architect Ioann on the orders of princess Efrosinniya. The church’s interior is decorated with many unique frescos of the 12th century. Specialists think that a fresco depicting an unknown young female saint is the portrait of St Efrosinniya herself. This church is famous not only for its artistic values. Every year on the memorial day of St Efrosinniya of Polotsk (June 5) thousands of pilgrims from all corners of Belarus come here to bow to relics of the Celestial Patroness of the Homeland and to kiss with reverence the Cross of St Efrosinniya of Polotsk. This Cross is an exact replica of the Polotsk jeweler Lazar Bogsha’s masterpiece which disappeared during the Second World War. Re-forged by the artist Nikolai Kuzmich, the cross acts as a symbol of spirituality for the Belarusian nation.

Jesuits’ Collegium: At its opening in 1581 the Collegium’s wooden buildings were situated on an island in the middle of Zapadnaya Dvina River, opposite St Sofia Cathedral. But, after a fire they were restored on a new site between the Upper Castle and the city. After another fire at the beginning of the 18th century, the Collegium was built from stone. At the moment, the eastern building of the Collegium accommodates the country’s biggest art gallery. The western 3

wing was handed over to the Polotsk State University, thus stressing a continuity of spiritual and cultural traditions in the Polotsk region. Lutheran church: Despite the fact that at the beginning of the 19th century there was slightly more than 200 Protestants in Polotsk, their enterprise and opulence made it possible to construct a stone neo-gothic church at the beginning of the 20th century. Now the church is used as a Museum of Regional History and Culture.

The Nunnery of the Savior St Efrosinniya

The Epiphany Monastery was founded in 1582 and for a long time played the role of the main centre of Orthodoxy in Polotsk. In the 17th century, a school was affiliated to the monastery in which Simeon of Polotsk was a teacher. In 1761-1779 a stone Epiphany church was built. In 17801788 the monastery was greatly enlarged by architect J. Quarengi, sponsored by the Russian Empress Ekaterina II. To the west of the church, on the site of a wooden school building, a new stone, two-storey building was constructed. It accommodated the monks’ cells, a room for the Father-superior, and two churches – of St Efrosinniya and of St Ekaterina. Now, the building is used as the Simeon of Polotsk Library-

Museum and as Belarus’s only Museum of Book-Printing. The Epiphany church hosted a picture gallery after its restoration in 1981, but ten years on was handed over to believers. Monument to Krivichs – the founders of the city was made by A. Shaternik and opened in 2001. The sculptural composition in a modern style constitutes a boat which carries on the waves of Eternity a legendary Princess Rogneda with her son Izyaslav (who are the founders of the Polotsk Dukes dynasty); their retinue is ready at any moment to defend freedom and independence of their homeland.

Monument to Efrosinniya of Polotsk was made by I. Golubev; it was mounted and sanctified in 2000. It symbolically depicts the start of a selfless way of life that predetermined the life of St Efrosinniya from her Upper Castle to St Savior nunnery. Depicted in an ascetic monastic dress with the Cross in her hands, the Mother Superior gives her blessings to fellow countrymen. “Ivan the Terrible’s Rampart”. This is a 16th century fortification raised on orders from the Tsar after the capture of Polotsk by the Russian army in 1562 for the purpose of defending the Lower (Streletsky) castle. The fortification comprises an immense volume of effort and work. The ten-metre high rampart demanded the transference of 230,000 cubic metres of soil in one year. Monument to the 23 Guardsmen. The monument was erected in 1989 in memory of the bravery of soldiers of the First Baltic Front who on July 3, 1944 forced their way across the bridge over Zapadnaya Dvina River and lost their lives holding the position.

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Modern Polotsk is a city of museums. 11 of them included into the Polotsk Historical and Cultural Reserve. In its funds there are around 80,000 objects, square of its guarded area is more than 60 hectares.

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1. St Sofia Cathedral 2. “Boris’ Kamen” 3. The Savior St Evfrosiniya Nunnery 4. Jesuits’ Collegium 5. Lutheran church 6. Epiphany Monastery 7. “Ivan Terrible’s Rampart” 8. Monument to 23 Guardsmen 9. Monument to Francysk Skorina 10. Monument to Krivichs – Founders of the City 11. Museum of Traditional Weaving of Poozerye 12. Monument to Evfrosinniya of Polotsk 13. “Red Bridge” 14. “House of Peter I” 15. Monument to Simeon of Polotsk 16. Polotsk Main Square (modern Svoboda Square)

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Museum of Traditional Weaving of Poozerye. This is the only Belarus museum of its kind. Three exposition halls give an opportunity to trace the technology of weaving in the Vitebsk region. You have the chance to learn about the symbolism of the complicated ornaments, to read about the ancient myths encoded in apparently simple patterns. “Red Bridge”. A bridge over Polota River got its name in memory of the bloody battles between the French and Russian troops in October 1812 when around 14,000 people perished. In 1974 near the bridge a memorial stone commemorating the liberation of Polotsk from the French was mounted.

“The House of Peter I”. The house was built at the end of the 17thbeginning of the 18th centuries with elements of the Baroque style. In summer 1705, Peter I lived here while in charge of the Russian Army during the North War of 1700-1721; hence the unofficial name of the building. Monument to Simeon of Polotsk. It was opened in 2003. The talented poet, translator, pedagogue and public figure, Simeon of Polotsk was well-known far beyond his country’s borders. He taught the children of the Russian Tsar and established Moscow’s first academy – the Hellenic-Greek Academy.

Monument to Francysk Skorina. Erected in 1974, it has come to dominate the square of the same name in the centre of the city. It is a sign of gratitude from the town’s citizens to their great compatriot. In Prague in 1517 for the first time in the history of Eastern and Southern Slavs, Francysk Skorina printed the Bible in a language that could be easily understood by common people. In 1522 he established the first printing-house in the Great Lithuanian Principality.

Polotsk Main Square (nowadays Svoboda Square). The square grew from the town planning of the 17th18th centuries; it was formed in front of the Catholic church and the Jesuits’ Collegium. It was filled with residential and administrative buildings in the style of Classicism by architect I. Zigfridan. The Town Council building, a Governor’s House (No 6, No 8, No 9 Carl Marx Ave.), a Vice-Governor’ and a Town Major’s House remain.

NESVIZH Modern historians consider 1446 the year of Nesvizh’s birth. That year the Duke of the Great Lithuanian Principality Kazimir IV Yagellonchik handed Nesvizh to Mikolai Yan Nemirovich. Almost a century later Nesvizh became the property of the Radzivills – the biggest and most influential family in the Principality. They owned Nesvizh for more than 400 years and made it the capital of their family estate, thus turning the town into one of the most successful and comfortable privately-owned towns in Belarus. At the threshold of the 16th-17th centuries Nesvizh went through fundamental changes connected to its then owner, Duke Mikolai Krzysztof Radzivill (1549-1616) who was nicknamed Sirotka. It was under the patronage of this prominent statesman and military leader, reformer and patron of the arts that the town’s structure was planned anew and the chaotic net of medieval streets changed for the still existing clear divisions into blocks and quarters. On the map, Nesvizh resembles a pentagon, or almost a square. The main street passes from the west to the east and at the city perimeter crosses the earthen ramparts which once encircled the town. Remnants of the city’s fortifications are to be found in the south-east of the town on a site where the biggest of its seven towers once stood.

Ensemble of the Town Hall and Trade Stalls

In 1586 Nesvizh was granted the privilege of self-government according to the Statute of Magdeburg. At the same time the town became the centre of ordinance or entailed estate. This decision proved to be the right one and played a paramount role in the economic strengthening of the Radzivill clan and in particular their Nesvizh lands. The town developed quickly. Its population increased, a school, a hospital, a bath-house, and a barber shop were opened, and numerous handicraft shops appeared. In the 18th century, an art castings workshop opened, and various manufacturing enterprises were established. Unique architectural and park monuments appeared, there was an immense creative output of paintings, engravings, books, and music. Belarus’ first permanent theatre, the “Comedy House”, was established here. It began as an amateur enterprise, but in time turned professional, performing as the court theatre. Many people made their contribution to the cultural history of the town. The watchmaker Evno Yakobson lived in Nesvizh in 1760s. He invented a calculating machine – a prototype for the future calculator. Nowadays, it is kept in the Mikhail Lomonosov Museum in St Petersburg. Among other renowned figures were portrait painter Constantine Alexandrovich, original engraver Girsh Leibovich, court musician and conduc-

tor Frantz Vitman and more. We hardly know the names of all the gold jewellers, carvers, smiths, weavers and glass-makers who worked in the town. Centuries have gone by. Nesvizh has overcome incredibly hard ordeals of war, devastating fires and plunders, flights and falls of different states in which it was incorporated. Radzivills’ Nesvizh Ordinance outlasted the Great Lithuanian Principality, the Rzecz Pospolita and the Russian Empire. The estate’s marvellous history was finally buried under the debris of the second Rzecz Pospolita of Poland in 1939.

City Sights

A Palace and a Castle Ensemble. It was founded in 1584 by the first ordinate Duke of Nesvizh Radzivill Sirotka. Its first stages were built by architect D.M. Bernardoni. During the 17th-18th centuries it was rebuilt many times. It absorbed features of the Renaissance, early and late Baroque, Rococo, Classicism, neo-Gothic and Modern styles. The complex numbered around 170 rooms; it was connected by underground passages to the town’s monasteries, encircled by ramparts, ditches, four towers and a series of ponds about the River Usha. The castle boasted valuable collections of arts and crafts, paintings, weapons, numismatic collections, a rich library and a famous archive of the Radzivills in which lie documents

relating to the internal and foreign policy of the Great Lithuanian Principality, the Kingdom of Poland, the Rzecz Pospolita, “economic” material, as well as family certificates. The building’s main halls (Royal, Hetman’s, Golden, Marble, Arms, Hunting among others) collected unique artistic arrangements. Building materials that matched in colour and texture emphasized and stressed the beauty of the artworks which filled the Dukes’ palace. The Patriotic War of 1812 marks a tragic date in the castle’s history. After the death of the eleventh Nesvizh Ordinate, Dominic Heronim Radzivill (1783-1813), which ended the Nesvizh dynasty’s male line, all the family’s wealth became subject to investigation for the Russian authorities. The castle stood empty for a half of a century and only at the second half of the 19th century it became inhabited again. In 1865, Anthony Wilhelm (1833-1904) and his wife Maria Dorothy, nee Marquise De Castellan (?-1915) arrived at Nesvizh. They were distant heirs of the Ordinance, Radzivills of the “Berlin Branch” which originated from the Kletsk side of the family. Maria Dorothy started creating an amazing park around the castle. It finally formed the composition of the Nesvizh Palace and Castle Ensemble. At present, restoration is under way; its task is to return bygone splendour to this pearl of domestic architecture.

Nesvizh Park. It represents five park compositions which all differ in artistic appearance and mood, with a total area of 100 hectares (including ponds). The parks have not been enclosed thus visually continuing beyond their boundaries to create a united composition of greenery and water. Zamkovy, also known as Anthony’s Park, directly encircled the palace buildings, reaching also into the main courtyard. Nearby lies the Old, or Ozerina Park. It was the most valuable in terms of dendrology and featured numerous trees and bushes. Behind the Old Park and on the same bank of Dikiy Pond there was a Japanese garden. On the opposite side of Dikiy Pond the New or Marysya’s Park stretched over 22 hectares, making it the largest of the five. A sculpture of St George the Victorious piercing a serpent with his spear was placed in the park. Also, this park has a swan meadow with a round pond and a bridge leading to an Isle of Love in the centre. East of Marysya’s Park stands the so-called Russian forest – a woodland that mainly consists of birch trees. The large size and remoteness of Marysya’s Park, its naturalistic landscapes, lonely obelisk and a springgrotto called the “Tears of Maria” all add to make the park especially mysterious, enveloped by veil of legends. Memorial stones mounted by Anthony Radzivill, the XIV Ordinate of

Nesvizh to honour his wife Maria de Castellan (the creator of the Park) are all in their original places. Because of the two world wars and the emigration of the castle’s owners, many of its treasures have been lost forever. The parks’ ancient walls and a network of underground passages keep the aura of the past; images of the grounds lie on lake surfaces as if paintings of a mysterious yesteryear. Ensemble of the Town Hall and Trade Stalls. The Town Hall was built at the end of the 16th century. Its wellproportioned, tall, facetted six-tier tower with a clock and a helmetshaped Baroque surface forms a silhouette on Nesvizh’s central square and at the same time symbolizes those freedoms granted to the town by the Statute of Magdeburg. An entrance to the Town Hall was in the tower. One flight of stairs leads to the Town Council Meeting Hall in which various ceremonies and theatrical performances have been held. On the second floor was also situated the private office of the castle’s master. The first floor accommodated a chancery, a courtroom, an archive and an exchequer. In the 17th century trade stalls appeared around the Town Hall. In the middle of the next century their number considerably increased. Later, trade stalls pulled back, creating a horseshoe-shaped courtyard with shops facing inside the square.

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1. Ensemble of the Town Hall and Trade Stalls 2. “A House on a Market” 3. St Benedict Nunnery 4. Slutskaya Brama (Town Gates) 5. Dwelling House on 2, Sovetskaya Street 6. Monument to Symon Budny 7. Plebaniya 8. Farny (parish) Catholic church of St Corpus Christi 9. Zamkovye Gates’ Tower 10. Palace and Castle Ensemble 11. Nesvizh Park

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Slutskaya Brama (Town Gates). Once Nesvizh had four gates but only one remains to this day. Several gates have stood on this site. The first one appeared here in the 16th century. The Brama (gates in Belarusian) which remain today were erected at the end of the 17th century and rebuilt considerably at the 18th century in a Baroque style. On the second floor, there is a chapel of the Blessed Virgin with stained glass widows. Traditionally people prayed in front of the icon before entering the town. On the first floor of the gates’ guard room there are the quarters of the customs house. St Benedict nunnery. It was built in a Gothic-Renaissance style in 1596 from donations by Sirotka and his wife Elzhbetha Evfimia, born

Vishnevetskaya. The nunnery existed until 1877. Near its entrance stands an elegant three-tier tower of the second half of the 18th century, and beyond it an inner courtyard. Nunnery building facades, the former Catholic church and modern buildings belonging to the Pedagogical College all face into the yard. A two-storey E-shaped nunnery building with the St Evfimia Catholic Church at its centre once had a tall tower added onto it in the1720s, but it did not survive to this day. Remnants of an earth rampart 6 metres high and up to 17 metres wide at its foundation remain around the former nunnery walls. The biggest and most fortified of the town’s towers was also situated around by the nunnery. Behind lay

rampart ditches filled with water from the River Usha. Along the town’s eastern boundary Devichiy and Zamkovy ponds approached the ramparts. Monument to Symon Budny by sculptor S. Gorbunova. It was opened in 1982. Symon Budny (around 15301593) was an outstanding Belarusian Renaissance thinker-humanist, a religious reformer, theologian, and pedagogue. In 1562, in a Nesvizh printinghouse which has not survived he was the first on the territory of Belarus to publish books in the Belarusian language; these were “Catechism” and “On Justification of a Sinful Human Before God”.

“A Market House”. This house of a rich craftsman with an elegant Baroque pediment was built in 1721. Its back faces the square. The rectangular building with a semi-basement consists of two parts: the lower stone one and the upper wooden one. An entrance to the second residential floor lies in the courtyard. On the first floor there are storage rooms and a shop facing the square. “A Market House” is a typical example of residential buildings on the square dating to the first years of its existence. A residential house at 2, Sovetskaya Street; now a shop. It was built in the 18th century. On its facade facing Leninskaya Street a drawing reproduces a fragment of an engraving of Nesvizh made by a famous local engraver, painter and printer Tomash Makovsky. From the drawing it is visible that Nesvizh at the beginning of the 17th century consisted of two sharply defined parts: the town and the castle, which stood separately, detached by ponds, ditches and ramparts as part of its complicated defence system. Plebaniya. It was constructed in the 18th century as a residential building for a Roman Catholic priest. At present it is a Symon Budny PrintingHouse. It has a memorial plate on its faзade hanged in 1971 to celebrate Symon Budny publishing in Nesvizh the first books in Belarusian.

Farny (parish) Catholic Church of St Corpus Christi was built in 1593 as a church of the Jesuits’ Monastery (Collegium) according to a project by an Italian architect Giovanni (Yan) Maria Bernardoni (1541-1605). It is

Eastern Europe’s first Baroque building. The interior of this three-nave basilica is decorated with frescos painted in 1750s-70s by Radzivills’ court painters Ksaveriy Dominic and his son Yuzef Ksaveriy Hesskys.

Frescos were refreshed at the beginning of the 20th century and an altar icon The Last Supper recently restored. The church’s monuments dedicated to the founder of the church Radzivill Sirotka and his children date

to the beginning of the 17th century. At the entrance a memorial plate has been put up in honour of BelarusianPolish poet, writer, publicist and student of a local folklore Vladislav Syrokomlya (Ludwig Kondratovich, 1823-1862). In the church crypt a Radzivills’ family burial-vault is situated. It is Eastern Europe’s only family necropolis: it has 72 burial places, part of them mummified; the last burial dates to 2000. Zamkovye Gates’ Tower. The defensive tower has been erected in the second half of the 16th century from big bricks using a gothic laying technique. At the bottom there is a massive socle with buttresses. The tower’s three tiers are joined by narrow eaves. At present it is used as a Catholic church belfry.

Radzivill Sirotka

NOVOGRUDOK Present name of the city has been formed in the 17th century under influence of Polish language. In old days it was known also as Novogorodok, Novgorodok, Novogorod etc. Local people even nowadays refer to it as Navagradak. For the first time it was mentioned in chronicles in 1044 in connection with the Great Duke of Kiev Yaroslav Mudry campaign against Litva (now Lithuania). The city occupies the central part of the Novogrudskaya Height with the River Neman on the north. It situated on Zamkovaya Hill, one of the highest points in Belarus with 323 metres above the sea level, and hillocks. Picturesque panoramic view on Novogrudok opens to a visitor approaching the city from any direction. By the 13th century Novogrudok has been one of the most developed cities of Verkhnee Ponemanye (lands along upper riches of the River Neman), so called Black Russia. Novogrudok extensive trade connections with Central Europe and Scandinavia, with Baltic States and Byzantium, location of the city on a border between settlings of Slavs and Balts determined its destiny: it has become the capital of the Great Lithuanian Principality (GLP), one of the biggest states in medieval Europe. After the GLP capital has been transferred to Vilnya (1323, now

Farny (Parish) Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Church

Vilnius) Novogrudok became the Great Duke’s domain. It has been playing an important role in history of this Belarusian-Lithuanian power as a defensive outpost and a fount of spirituality: the centre of LithuanianNovogrudok Orthodox and then Uniate Church District was situated here. Novogrudok made an immense contribution into development of ideas of Reformation in Belarus. In 1507 the city was made the centre of Voevode (province). Starting from 1581 it was here (in turns with Minsk) Sessions of the Main

Lithuanian Tribunal, the Highest Court of Appeal, took place. Wars of the middle of the 17th – beginning of the 18th centuries sweep off many traces of Novogrudok former greatness. But even nowadays the city keeps living breath of bygone days.

City Sights Mindovg Hill. According to a legend, it is a burial place of Mindovg (1195?-1263), the founder and the first Great Duke of the Great Lithuanian Principality. In 1253 Mindovg was crowned, most likely in Novogrudok (the exact place has not been identified in written sources). He accepted from the Pope Innokentiy IV the title of the “King of Lithuania”, the first and the only. Not long before the death from hands of his political enemies Mindovg rejected Catholicism and was buried in accordance with pagan rite under a barrow. This barrow in the 17-18th centuries was turned into the city communal Christian cemetery at which till 1920s both members of Orthodox and Catholic churches have been buried. Some tombstones remained intact. In 1993 at the bottom of the Mindovg Hill a memorial sign was installed.

dukes of the Galitsko-Volynskoye Principality. The castle buildings have been destroyed during the North War (1700-1721). Inside the castle’s courtyard archeologists discovered traces of wooden and stone household buildings, a duke’s palace and a church. In the castle church in 1414-1415 Church Councils summoned by the

The Castle’s ruins. The castle is an ancient centre of Novogrudok, the residence at first of appanage dukes and then – of the Great Dukes of Lithuania. At the beginning of the 11th century the castle was wooden. At the end of the 14th century brick donjon tower Shchitovka was erected. Its ruins can be seen today. Nearby are the remnants of Kostelnaya Tower. By the beginning of the 16th century along the perimeter of the castle five towers stood connected by walls made of bricks and stones (Malaya Brama, Posadskaya, Dozortsa). Two towers (Kolodeznaya and Mestskaya) stood at the bottom of Zamkovaya Hill – over a well and facing the city. The Novogrudok seven-towered castle was the mightiest in the Great Lithuanian Principality. It withstood sieges by Crusaders, Mongols and

Great Lithuanian Duke Vitovt took place. Vitovt wanted to establish the Great Lithuanian Principality’s the Orthodox Diocese independent from the Moscow Orthodox Church. Afterwards the Tribunal sessions took place in this church rebuilt in Baroque style. It existed until the middle of the 19th century.

Farny (Parish) Transfiguration of the Lord Catholic Church. Apparently it was founded in 1395 by Vitovt on a site of a pagan temple. It was a wooden church for a long time, only in the first half of the 17th century two stone chapels have been constructed. The church is a monument of “Sarmat” Baroque which characterized by ascetic appearance of sacral building looking like a fortress. In 1422 it was here the King of Poland Vladislav II (Yagailo) and the Princess Sofia of Golshany got married and started the Yagellons Dynasty which

ruled in Poland, the Great Lithuanian Principality, Sweden, Czechia and Hungary for nearly 200 years. In 1799 in this Catholic church Adam Mitskevich was christened. In this sanctuary relics of 11 sistersnazarethians from Novogrudok enlisted by the Rome in 2000 as blessed are being kept. The church is also famous for a marble bas-relief (1643) in memory of Novogrudok knights perished in 1621 during the battle of Hotin with Turks and the miracle-working icon of the Blessed Virgin of Novogrudok (Catholic version).

Adam Mitskevich HouseMuseum (1, Lenin Street). The museum has been built on the foundations of the exact building in which Mitskevichs family settled in 1806. The first exposition, dedicated to Mitskevich, was opened here in 1938. The museum has been restored after the Second World War and reopened in 1955. It was reconstructed again in 1989. In the courtyard buildings of Mitskevichs’ manor (an outhouse, a barn, a pavilion and a well) have been reproduced. Adam Mitskevich Barrow of Immortality. It has being raised in

1924-1931 by the poet’s admirers. At the bottom of the barrow a memorial sign installed. The barrow situated on the so called Small Castle territory which is the birth place of Novogrudok. Once it was trade and craft township nearby of which a fortified settlement has appeared on Zamkovaya Hill and thus it got a name Novogorod or Novogrudok (new city). From the 10th century the Small Castle grew as its outskirt with mainly jewelers settling there. Archeologists discovered a rich collection of objects of work, life, decorations. Imported goods found prove the fact that Novogrudok had divaricated trade connections in the 10-13th centuries. Excavated by scientists residential buildings are very interesting, especially a two-storied “Boyar’s House” made of wood and stone with total square of 100 sq. m, glazed and painted with frescos. Adam Mitskevich Monument by sculptor Valerian Yanushkevich opened in 1992. St Boris and Gleb Church. It was constructed in 1519 on donations of the big magnate, the Great Lithuanian Hetman Constantine Ostrozhsky and Orthodox Metropolitan Joseph Soltan. It combines two architectural styles – late Gothic and Renaissance. In 1630s to the western part of the church a new building with two towers with narrow embrasures has been added. These reconstructions have taken

place during a very important period in religious life of Novogrudok and the Great Lithuanian Principality as a whole. It was time when a new religion that of Uniate has being approved. Since the 18th century it became the topping confession in the Great Lithuanian Principality. There is the miracle-working icon of the Blessed Virgin of Novogrudok (Orthodox version) in the church. In 1960s scientists discovered a remarkable church of the 12th century beneath the altar. This old church was built in the best traditions of ancient Russian churches and nowadays stands 1,5 metres high from the foundation. Museum of History and Regional Studies (2, Grodnenskaya Street). It was opened in 1992. It has 9 halls describing history of Novogrudok and the region from the 10th century until 1945. St Nicholas Cathedral. It was built in 1780 as St Anthony Catholic Church affiliated to the St Francis monastery. Minorites have been invited to Novogrudok by the Great Duke Gedimin of Lithuania in 1323. In 1831 minorites were forced by the Tsarist Government to leave the monastery which after has been handed over to the Orthodox Church. In 1846 the church was renamed the St Nicholas church. After the fire of 1852 it was rebuilt in Pseudo Byzantium style. The church, however, keeps its Baroque fundamental principle to these days.

St Mikhail Archangel Catholic Church. It was founded as a church of the Dominican monastery in 1624. A century later it was rebuilt and included parts of the former building as

well as Baroque decor of its interior. Fires of 1751 and 1831 didn’t have a mercy for the church. Belfry erected in 1829 as well as monastery buildings didn’t survive. In 1853 the Tsarist governments shut down the monastery. Rebuilt in 1858 the building got the Late Classicism appearance and became a parish church but was shut down again after the Second World War. In 1990s parish returned it back

to life. The interior decorated with modeling and paintings. In the main altar the icon of St Mikhail Archangel, patron of Novogrudok, is placed. The image of St Mikhail Archangel was on the coat of arms which the city got in 1595. Former Torgovaya (Trade) Square (now Lenin Square). It has being formed during several centuries as the commercial centre of the city

with eight streets flowing into it. The ensemble of the square retains the old city charms. Mostly buildings of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century were situated here. In 1511 Novogrudok was granted the privilege of self-government according to the Statute of Magdeburg. Organ of the city’s self-government – magistrate – sat in the City Hall which was situated nearby the St Mikhail Catholic Church.

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Mosque (28 Lenin Street). It was built in 1855 on the site of the previous one. After the Second World War it was shut down and reopened again in 1997.

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Tatars appeared in Novogrudok at the end of the 15th century. They served as irregulars. They settled together and formed an outskirt nearby of which in the 16th century a Tatar cemetery was founded. It remains till nowadays. From the mosque Internatsionalnaya Street (formerly Tatarskaya) leads to the cemetery on which tombstones as old as of the 19th century remain.

12 13

13. “Novogrudok” Hotel 14. “Pansky Dom” Hotel

Manors. From the big, important families, we have castles and palaces. The small gentry’s special addition to Belarusian cultural history is the falvaraks (manor houses). With distinctive architectural and planning features, manors have often served as important centres for the accumulation of cultural treasures. Some of them have even been turned into sizeable industrial complexes. Many manors have become renowned as family homes of well-known thinkers and enlighteners, state public and religious figures, and politicians. Unfortunately, most of manors have irretrievably disappeared, some survived only in ruins, and others are deserted. Some of the manors are used for social, cultural and economic purposes.

BREST OBLAST Zaosye, Baranovichi District

Malye Shchitniki, Brest District

The manor is an Adam Mitskevich memorial. It is a traditional estate once consisting of the main house and smaller buildings. According to some sources, this is the birth place of the poet Adam Mitskevich. In 1998 the manor was totally reconstructed to accommodate a museum.

In the olden days, the manor complex included a house, out-buildings, Church of The Protection of the Virgin, storage hangars for carriages and a landscape park. The one-storey brick house was built in the middle of the 19th century. Facades, planning and interiors were greatly redesigned in 1960s.

Kossovo, Ivatsevichi District

Kossovo Palace was built in 1838 by Voevode Kazimir Puslovsky. At one time it was an unusual structure standing out for its originality and elegance. The palace’s interiors were designed by architect Marconi and decorator Zhmurko. The palace was Zaosye

Kossovo

surrounded by a marvellous park ad exemplum of Italian Renaissance parks. Now the palace and the park need restoration. The palace is an architectural masterpiece combining features of Classicism and Neo Gothic style.

Vysokoye, Kamenets District

A palace and a park ensemble was built in the first half of the 19th century on the banks of Pulva River by wife of Pavel Sapega, Pelageya Pototskaya. The complex built in a Classic style consisted of a palace and two outhouses. Only the original facades remain. The palace’s structure was supplemented with a landscape park

and ponds. It is regarded by the state as a national monument of palacecastle architecture.

Kobrin, Kobrin District

This wooden manor of the Russian military leader Alexander Suvorov was built in 1790. The famous military leader spent 1797-1800 in the house. Then, at the beginning of 1860 Traugut – one of the leaders of 18631864 anti-Tsarist Uprising – lived here. During the Second World War the house was destroyed. In 1946 it was restored and in 1948 a Historical and Military Exposition dedicated to A. Suvorov organized.

Ruzhany

Zapolye, Pinsk District

VITEBSK OBLAST Beshenkovichi, Beshenkovichi District

A manor house built in the 1920s with Baroque and Classicism features. A monument of manor architecture. Pruzhany

Pruzhany, Pruzhany District

A city manor built in the middle of the 19th century in the northern outskirts of Pruzhany by architect Lanti. It included a manor house in an Italian Renaissance style, two outbuildings, a greenhouse with orange and lemon trees and a park. It is considered as a monument of manor architecture. The house has been restored and hosts the museum of local heritage.

Ruzhany, Pruzhany District

A palatial ensemble, the main residence of the famous Belarusian family the Sapegas, it was being built by successive generations. Chancellor Lev

Sapega commenced construction at the beginning of the 17th century. In 1784-1786 the castle was rebuilt by architect Y. Becker as a palace. The complex stands on a high hill overlooking the town. In the past it consisted of one main and two auxiliary buildings, a strong arcade and official entrance gates that resembled a triumphal arch. The general Baroque character of the architecture has mixed with elements of Classicism. The palace was seriously damaged during the First and the Second World wars. It is considered as a monument of palace-castle architecture. Fragments of the main building and the arcade, as well as the entrance gates and outhouses remain.

This is a palace-park complex which once belonged to the Oginsky family and since 1786 to the Khreptovichs. It included a palace, minor buildings, a park, two ponds, and a greenhouse. The manor remains in good condition, and is considered as a monument of manor architecture.

Zdravnevo, Vitebsk District

House-Museum of Ilya Repin stands on a high terrace of Zapadnaya Dvina River. In 1892-1900 a famous Russian painter Ilya Repin lived here. A pond, fragments of an alley, a park and household buildings remain. The manor house was rebuilt in 2000.

Zdravnevo

GOMEL OBLAST Gomel

ly damaged during the Second World War, and its only walls were standing. At present it is completely restored and hosts The Oblast Museum of Local Folklore. The complex includes a palace, St Peter and Paul Cathedral, a chapel, a burial-vault and a park. It is considered a monument of palacecastle architecture of international level.

Halch, Vetka District Leonpol, Miory District This manor-park complex was built in a Baroque style in 1750 on the left bank of Zapadnaya Dvina River. It was owned by Lopatinsky. A house, an outbuilding and a park remain.

Polotsk, Polotsk District

The administrative building (‘A House of Peter I’) was built in 1692. In the summer of 1705 the Russian Tsar Peter I lived there. It is considered a monument of civil architecture.

Staraya Belitsa, Senno District A manor-park complex which was constructed in the second half of the 19th century; it consisted of a stone house, a park with a pond and household buildings. It is considered a monument of manor architecture from late Classicism. In 1903-1904 the famous Belarusian poet Yanka Kupala lived here.

A palace-park ensemble there was founded in 1777 for Peter Rumyantsev. It was built in several stages. In 1785-1793 the main building of the palace was constructed by architects Y. Alekseev and K. Blank. In 1794-1805 two wings and a colonnade were added by architect G. Clark. The third stage (1837-1851) came as a result of the new owner’s, General FieldMarshall I. Paskevich’s decision to invite the architect A. Idzikovsky to reconstruct and expand the palace. A distinctive feature of the Gomel palace-park complex is its marvellous riverside park. The palace was serious-

A palace-park ensemble built at the beginning of the 19th century. The manor belonged to the Khaletsky family. The palace is a typical Classicism-style building. The park is situated on the slopes of a deep ravine. The main principle of composition is that of distant vistas. The palace, the park, and household buildings remain. It is considered a monument of manor architecture. The palace accommodates a branch of the Gomel Oblast Museum of Local Folklore.

GRODNO OBLAST Podorosk, Volkovyssk District A manor built in the second half of the 18th century in the style of Classicism. It includes a house, household buildings, and fragments of a fence; considered a monument of manor architecture.

Svyatsk, Grodno District A palace-park complex built in 1779 by Italian architect Giuseppe Sakko for the magnate Volovich. The complex consists of three buildings: the central one and two wings united together by semi-circular galleries. Architectural style is Baroque with many elements of Classicism. Main feature of interior decorations are paintings. In 1930 the palace was reconstructed and since then hosts a sanatorium.

Mir, Korelichi District

Grodno The Old Castle is a complex of defensive religious and civil structures of the 12th-19th centuries. It includes a palace, fragments of defensive walls, the Lower Church (in ruins), the Upper Church (in ruins), Duke’s rooms (in ruins), a bridge and a zamchishche (a site for the castle). The Castle was destroyed, restored and reconstructed many times. At the present it accommodates the Grodno Museum of History and Archaeology. It is considered as a monument of defensive and palace-castle architecture.

Mir Castle was founded by Yuriy Ilyinich (to whom Mir was handed over in 1486) most likely in the 1520s (precise date unknown). The castle was built on a plain where a brook and the River Miranka flowed. The castle design had four corners towers and at the centre of the western wall, onto to the road to Vilnya, a fifth tower with the only entrance was built. The south-west tower is better preserved than the others and now accommodates expositions of the Belarus National Fine Arts Museum. After making your way five tiers up along narrow spiral stairs which were carved into the tower walls, you can gain a view over the city outskirts, and it is still possible to feel the medieval spirit. The defensive might of this citadel was determined not only by towers but by walls cut with embrasures. Their thickness at the top was over

two metres and more than three metres at the bottom. The western and the northern wall in Ilyinichs’ times were concluded by military galleries. They were set off with pine parapets from the courtyard’s side and from the outer side with parapets of a human’s height, also with embrasures for firing bows, crossbows and muskets. At the present time it is possible to walk along the southern gallery. The inner courtyard of the castle lies spread out before the eyes. In the 16th-17th centuries when Mikolai Radzivill Sirotka became the owner of the castle, two palaces were built, thus supplementing the martial Gothic armour with peaceful Renaissance attire. Plaster, which formerly only covered the towers’ niches, was put on all the surfaces of the palaces. Doors and window frames were made of sandstone. Stairs, porches, balcony rails were decorated with stone balusters and railings. The castle was surrounded with an earth rampart and an arched bridge leading to the “Italian” garden. Aristocrats preferred comfort. Big stoves resembling monuments covered with relief glazed tiles and coloured enamel. Wall paintings imitated carvings and sculptures. Such transformation made the castle Radzivills’ country-residence.

After such dramatic changes for some time Mir existed like in a pleasant dream. But the war with Russia in 1655 did not let the castle be: it was conquered and for a long time left deserted. After some restorations, the North War brought new destruction and losses. The castle was rebuilt only in the 1730s under Mikhail Kazimir Radzivill, nicknamed Rybonka. After the restoration, the main hall, a portrait gallery and a dance hall began to shine with gilded plaster and

expensive parquet. In a greenhouse of the Italian Garden citrus plants blossomed, fig trees ripened, myrtles, cypresses, box-trees, red and baytrees were growing. All these exotic splendours planted in summer in vats opposite the castle brought fragrant smells to the castle. Rybonka’s son Carol Stanislaw, nicknamed Pane Kokhanku, held balls and hunts here filling Mir’s outskirts with guns and the sounds of fireworks. After the death of King August

III, Pane Kokhanku stood against the protege of the Russian Empress Ekaterina II Stanislaw August Ponyatovsky, but lost – and paid for the defeat with a long emigration. After returning to his homeland in 1784 he spent a lot of money to put on a lavish reception for that very same Stanislaw August, the last King of Poland and the last Duke of the Great Lithuanian Principality. That reception gave occasion to authors to record memoirs filled with thrilling stories about the inexhaustible riches of Carol Radzivill, surpassing those of the King himself. Gradually the castle changed – it was no longer a medieval symbol, the guardian of the neighbourhood; it turned into a spectacular residence, pleasure villa for rich magnates. The fall of Rzecz Pospolita with its “golden gentry’s liberties” was disastrous for the castle: its walls were covered with mould and dust. Bygone might descended into legends. Now this “flower of the Middle Ages” is getting back its former character and is looking at the future with optimism. In 2000 it was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. On July 9, 2002 the opening ceremony of the memorial table was held in presence of the UNESCO General Director Koitiro Matsura and representatives of the Belarusian Government.

Lida, Lida District This castle was built in 1323 and for centuries remained a stronghold in Western Belarus. The castle’s few fragments show elements of Gothic and Roman architecture. It is considered a monument of defensive architecture of international level.

Novogrudok, Novogrudok District

Construction of the castle commenced in the 12th century. Towers and walls were modernized over time. The castle had defensive significance until 1710 when it was burnt by the Swedes. Two towers partly remain. It is considered a monument of defensive architecture of international level. In a manor built in 1807 Adam Mitskevich’s family lived until 1812. Then it was rented out and in 1838 got another owner. In 1881 the house was burnt down and was rebuilt anew. On September 11, 1938 the Adam Mitskevich Museum was opened in the house. After the Second World War the house was reconstructed, and all of manor’s buildings restored in 1990-1992. Now it hosts the Adam Mitskevich House-Museum.

rounded by a defensive ditch and from the fourth – by the river. According to 17th century documents, Lyubcha Castle had four towers (two remain) and a palace (no longer remaining).

Shchorsy, Novogrudok District

This palace-park ensemble was formed during the second half of the 18th-begininng of the 19th centuries. It belonged to the Khreptovichs, then to Count Butenev, and included a palace, two outhouses, a pavilion for a library, administrative and household buildings and a park. There is a socalled “Adam Mitskevich Oak” in the park. The poet lived in Shchorsy in 1819-1820. The manor was famous for a rich library and an archive. The palace burnt down in 1914. An outhouse, the library pavilion, a smokehouse and a park remain. It is considered a monument of manor architecture of state level.

Golshany, Oshmyany District One of the Sapegas’ castles, it was built at the end of the 16th-beginning of the 17th centuries. It was constructed on the site of an ancient castle in a Mannerism style. With luxurious interiors, park surroundings and ponds it was Belarus’ most beautiful structure of its kind. The park had a unique twolevel parterre, the only one in Belarus. The building is considered a monu-

Lyubcha, Novogrudok District

At the beginning of the 17th century the Radzivills built a palace-castle complex on a the bank of Neman River. From three sides it was sur-

Golshany

ment of park-castle architecture at the state level. Golshany castle legends inspired famous writer Vladimir Korotkevich to write the novel “Black Castle Olshansky”. Unfortunately, nowadays ruins are the only remains of the once-glorious palace. All that’s left from the park are limes growing along the perimeter of the upper parterre.

Porozovo, Svisloch District A manor-park complex built in the middle of the 19th century. It included a house and a park. The house has features of the Baroque and Classicism. It is considered a monument of manor architecture of state level.

Gornostaevichi, Svisloch District

A manor built in the second half of the 19th century in a Classicism style; it encompassed a house, a small park with a pond and a Catholic church; considered as a monument of manor architecture.

Slonim, Slonim District

An “Albertin” manor-park complex was built in the first half of the 19th century as the residence of the Puslovsky family. A house, two outbuildings and a stable remain. The park was changed. It is considered a monument of manor architecture of state level.

Zalesye, Smorgon District

Life and creative work of public figure and composer Mikhail Kleofas Oginsky is directly connected to this manor. The palace-park complex was built in 1802-1822 by architects Shultz and Pusse near to an old manor. The complex included a palace, conservatories with a gardener’s house and a mill. The manor remains in parts: a

palace, a chapel, a park and household buildings. The park was badly damaged in 1915.

Krevo, Smorgon District

Krevo castle was built in 1338 and even its ruins are impressive reminders of the bygone might of the Great Lithuanian Principality. The castle amazes not only with its vast size but with the legends surrounding it, legends in which reality is closely intertwined with fantasy. It was here that the Krevo Union between the Great Lithuanian Principality and Poland was concluded. It was here that the Duke Yagailo, eager to become the only ruler of the Principality, killed his uncle the Duke Keistut who was imprisoned

in the castle. According to one of the legends, the ghost of a girl who saved Keistut’s son, the future Great Duke Vitovt, is still wandering here in the dead of the night. The castle is considered a monument of defensive architecture of state level.

Kushlyany, Smorgon District

This manor was built at the end of the 19th century. It includes a house, household buildings and a park. The estate belonged to the family of the famous Belarusian poet Frantishak Bogushevich who spent his last years here. It is considered as a monument of manor-park architecture.

Krevo

MINSK OBLAST Krasnaya Zvezda (former Radzivillimonty), Kletsk District

A palace-park ensemble, “Radzivillimonty” was built in 17801783 by architect K. Spampani in the style of Classicism. The building’s composition is mixed: the outside walls are constructed from oak and the inner walls from stone. It is considered a monument of manor architecture. Now the palace is in ruins, but the park is in good condition and considered one of the best landscape parks in the country.

Nesvizh, Nesvizh District

A palace-park ensemble founded in 1583 by Mikolai Radzivill Sirotka. For detailed information, see chapter “Nesvizh”.

Snov

Nesvizh

MOGILEV OBLAST Bykhov

Snov, Nesvizh District A palace-park complex built in 1827. The palace is situated on a large space nearby the meandering Snovka River. The palace’s length is 140 m. The main entrance is emphasized by a four-Ionic column portico. The distinctive feature of the Snov manor is its open composition, clear plan and capacity of the building, as well as strong architectural form and simplicity of structure. It is a striking example of a Classic building. The interiors of the building underwent many changes

with time. Now the palace is used as a medical institution.

Smilovichi, Cherven District

A palace complex consisting of two palaces and household buildings built in the second half of the 19th century. One of the palaces no longer exists. The second one – a two-storey building with bay windows – has features of Retrospective Romantic architecture. It is considered a monument of manor architecture.

This 1610-1619 castle is a monument of palace-castle architecture. It is situated in the eastern outskirts of the town on the banks of River Dnepr. Construction was started by Hetman Khadkevich and finished by Lev Sapega. The castle was a part of the fortifications of the city-fortress Stary Bykhov. Some of the castle buildings have remained to this day.

Zhilichi (former Dobosna), Kirov District

This palace-park ensemble was built in the 1830s in a Classicism style by architect K. Podchashinsky for E. Bulgak’s estate. The palace is at the centre of the composition. It has gorgeous ornamentation. The complex had a square shape, and was decorated with ponds, orchards and numerous subsidiary buildings, its area reaching 100 hectares. Fragments of

the pavilion-bathhouse and summerhouses remain. At present the palace accommodates a museum and a music school.

Krichev, Krichev District

Potyomkin Palace was built in 17781787 for Count Potyomkin. It is a stone two-storey П-shape building. Facades made in pseudo-Gothic style. In front of the palace parts of the landscape garden remain.

The best way to get an impression of Belarus’ timber resources is to see the country from the window of an airplane – more than a third of the national territory is covered by forests; it’s like a green blanket. Europe’s largest forestlands remain here and have been nicknamed by the locals as the country’s “green gold”. In many ways, Belarus could be said to be the lungs of Europe. Local woods are not only of utilitarian value, however. They also have cultural significance because of their amazing, and in many places untouched, beauty. The best location to admire great natural scenery is at a Belarusian reserve. The total area allocated as a national reserve comes to 6,1% or 1 273 400 hectares of Belarus’ territory. The most famous reserve is the National Park Belovezhskaya Pushcha, which has had the status close to that of a reserve since the beginning of the 15th century. Just imagine – oaks aged between 300 and 700 years, 450-year old ashes and 220-years old pines are still growing there. You can see meadows, woods and rivers untouched by human touch: the view is mighty, clear and beautiful. No doubt an encounter with a zubr – an animal which is the symbol of Belarus – will leave an unforgettable impression. Zubr’s muscles, impressively showing the creature’s power and sturdiness, are a living reminder of a time when the world was just created.

From the olden days Belarus was called lake land. The country has 11,000 lakes and more than 20,000 rivers and rivulets. Azure, blue and almost black shades of lake are hidden in forest thickets or next to merrily sparkling meadows. Lakes are the eyes of Belarus, and thus the country has been nicknamed “blue-eyed”. The most precious pearl in the crown of Belarusian nature is Braslavskiye Ozera National Park (Braslav Lakes). It has amazing charm because of the permanent changes of landscapes – lakes, hills, forests and again lakes fill a total area of 1 830 sq km. The total number of lakes at the park is unknown, and it would be very difficult to count them; every one is unique. The name of Naroch is well-known not only in Belarus but also far beyond its borders. A unique beauty and mild climate made the Naroch region popular as a resort. In 1999, the Narochansky National Park was established.

“BELOVEZHSKAYA PUSHCHA” NATIONAL PARK Kamenyuki Village, Kamenets District, Brest Oblast, Belarus, 225053 Telephone: +375 (1631) 56-370 (tourism department), 56-543 (hotel), 56-169. Fax: +375 (1631) 21-283. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] “Belovezhskaya Pushcha” National Park is situated in the southwest of Belarus, 340 kilometres from Minsk in the Grodno and Brest Oblasts. The

Pushcha was first mentioned in the Ipatyevskaya Chronicle of 983. A status close to that of a natural reserve was established here at the beginning of the 15th century. In 1957 the Pushcha was officially proclaimed as a State Reserve and a Hunting Forest, and in 1991 reformed as a national park. This big forestland is one of the oldest forest reserves in Europe. The flora and fauna of Belovezhskaya Pushcha is rich in various species of plants and animals, many of them enlisted in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus (as in – in danger of extinction). The Puscha consists of mixed and deciduous forests. Trees older than 100 years have been registered here: for exam-

gus. Among inhabitants of the Pushcha are 59 species of mammals (among those red deer, wolf, wild boar, lynx), 227 birds species, 11 species of amphibians, 7 species of reptiles, 24 fish types and more than 9,000 kinds of insects. There are also foxes, badgers, polecats, ermines, weasels, martens, raccoons, otters, beavers, hares and squirrels, white

ple, a pine (350 years old, height around 35 m), a fir (200 years, height 52 m), an oak (500 years, diameter up to 190 cm) and others. There are around 900 tall plants, 260 sorts of moss and Bryophyta, more than 290 kinds of lichens and 570 types of fun-

and black storks, and 20 birds of prey. Among amphibians and reptiles are pond and grass frogs, grey, green and cane toads and others. Forest land occupies 88,2%, bogs – 4%, meadows – 5% of the territory of the National Park. Belovezhskaya Pushcha is the last natural habitat of the biggest European mammal species today – zubr (European bison). Until the beginning of the 17th century, aurochs, and until the beginning of the 19th century, forest tarpons inhabited the Pushcha. Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a unique natural monument with many places of interest on its territory. On its land,

a list of 110 rare plants subject to special protection has been compiled. There are some very interesting objects such as “a collar-shaped pine” (a pine with collar-shaped rind blades), weeping firs, accrete brother-oaks, filical Osmunda bushes. The first scientific research on Pushcha was published in 1741. Among historical and cultural monuments associated with the Belovezhskaya Pushcha are a Nature Museum in the central manor of the National Park in Kamenyuki Village, the Tyshkeviches estate, a Tsar’s route, a 13th century defensive tower “Belaya Vezha” (“White Tower”, also know as Kamenetskaya Tower), a

church ensemble with unique architecture and other sights. On the National Park territory the notorious “Viskuli” complex is situated. It was here that in 1991 leaders of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine signed the “Belovezhskoye Agreement” putting an end to the USSR.

In 1992 UNESCO listed the National Park as a World Heritage Site. In 1993 it got the status of a Biosphere Reserve and in 1997 was awarded a Council of Europe Diploma. Belovezhskaya Pushcha is one of the four most famous and unique original forestlands in the world.

TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE There are 3 hotels (three buildings of the “Kamenyuki” comlex) with 176 rooms, a sports complex, saunas, three guest houses, a restaurant with national cuisine and game dishes. Near to the hotel there is a handicraft souvenir workshop. The park’s admi-

nistrative building has a symposium hall. The National Park authorities have developed various one or more day routes and trips (pedestrian, horse, car) for the visitors. “Zelenaya Tropa” (A Green Path) route starts at the main entrance of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha. It passes

along a scenic forest road leading to Lyatskiye Village and then turns into a wood thicket. Sites along the route: 1. “ZUBR” – a tumour on a birch tree trunk in the shape of a European bison’s head. 2. “LESOVIK” (A Forest Spirit) – an old oak with the carved figure of an old Grandfather-Lesovik in the hollow. 3. “HALCYON STREAM” – habitat of one of the most beautiful Pushcha bird. 4. “FOREST BEAUTIES” – two huge roadside fir trees which have amazingly perfect crowns. 5. “WOODEN BRETHREN” – a damp plot with many accrete trees of different shapes. 6. “A SEDGE BOG” – andromeda and Lapponian willow, cranberries and bog whortleberries grow here. This part of the path goes over special decks made of oak. The length of the route is 6.5 km. It should take around 3.5 hours to cover.

Route “Ozernoye Koltso” (Lake Ring). The path starts at the cages with wild animals and includes four lakes. The most distant is situated on a tract of land called the Elninsky Bor, 3,5 km from the start of the route. During the trip it is possible to get to know various types of forest. The tourist route is especially interesting for those exploring the myriad of plants at the Belovezhskaya Pushcha.

The route’s length is 8 km and it should take around 2 hours in a horsedrawn carriage, or 5 hours by foot. “Belovezhskaya Pushcha” National Park has tennis, volleyball, and handball courts, a sauna, a bathhouse on the shores of the lake, clearings, and a tourist stations. With advance bookings, it is possible to transport guests from Minsk, Grodno and Brest. For those coming to Belovezhskaya Pushcha in their own car, there is a guarded parking lot.

For hunters and anglers Belovezhskaya Pushcha has more than 20 species of fish with roach, pike, perch, tench and ide prevalent. The Shereshovskoye Forestry commission organizes hunts.

You can buy passes to Belovezhskaya Pushcha in the tourist department of the National Park (tel. +375 (1631) 56-370) or in at the sales department of “BelExpo” (the Belarus’ president’s administrative department) – tel. +375 (17) 234-24-13.

“BRASLAVSKIYE OZERA” NATIONAL PARK (Braslav Lakes) One of the most scenic Belarus sites, “Braslavskiye Ozera” National Park, is situated in the north-west of the country, 250 km from Minsk and near to the border with Lithuania and Latvia. The park was established in 1995. Its territory occupies more than 69 000 hectares, of which 2 581 have been designated as a reserve. The national park is based on the series of connected, large and small Braslav Lakes, 61 in total with an area of 12 701 hectares. The biggest lakes are Drivuaty, Snudy, Strusto, Voiso, Volos Severny (Volos Northern), Nedrovo, Berezha, Daubli, Potekh. The second largest island in Belarus – Chaichin (1,6 sq km) – is situated in the middle of Lake Strusto. The island itself also has a reservoir, a very small lake, in the centre. Volos Yuzhny (Volos Southern) Lake is the deepest in the park with a maximum depth of 40.4 metres. The lake is famous for its amazingly clear water (transparent down to 7 m). There are many archaeological, historical and cultural monuments in “Braslavskiye Ozera” National Park. In the centre of the park stands one of the oldest Belarusian towns, Braslav, first mentioned in the chronicles of

the 11th century. The town is situated on a green hill of the northern bank of Drivyaty Lake. The regional flora numbers more than 800 species of plants, about 20 of them listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus (as a species close to extinction). More than 30 species of fish including eel populate Braslav Lakes. Up to 35% percent of all the nesting birds in Belarus stay on the territory of the park. There are more than 217 species of game birds, which is 15% of the game reserve in Poozerye region. On the territory of the Braslav district live 52 species of mammals (badgers, lynxes, brown bears, squirrels, elks, wild boars, roes), 10 amphibious species and 5 species of reptiles.

Tourist complex “Zolovo” is situated 22 km from Braslav in the direction of Minsk. The complex is surrounded by scenic forestland and stands on the bank of a lake. The complex includes two cottages, summerhouses, a pier, sites for a campfire, a Russian steam bathhouse, a small dining hall with a fireplace and a guarded parking lot.

A “Drivyaty” tourist complex is situated 2,5 km from downtown Braslav, on the bank of the biggest lake of the region – Lake Drivyaty. The tourist complex consists of four comfortable four-storey buildings with a bar and billiard tables. Every building has two first-class rooms, two rooms of second class and eight doubles. All rooms are equipped with a fridge, a lavatory, a mini-kitchen and a TV set. First-class rooms have two-storeys allocated to them with a hall, a minikitchen, a toilet, plus a loggia on the first floor, and a bedroom and a toilet on the second. There is a pier on the banks of the lake for motor boats. A city bus comes three times a day. Nearby is an excellent beach.

Tourist complex “Slobodka” is situated by the Potekh Lake, 10 km from Braslav. The tourist complex includes three comfortable cottages and a Russian steam bathhouse. Nearby there are rest sites with two pavilions and some campfire sites. Three meals a day are available. The capacity of the complex is 25-27 people at any one time.

“PRIPYATSKY” NATIONAL PARK

127, Leninskaya Street, Turov Township, Zhitkovichi District, Gomel Oblast, Republic of Belarus, 247980 Telephone: +375 (2353) 75-173, 21-749, 75-644, 75-302. Fax: +375 (2353) 75-276

The Hunter’s House “Ababye” is situated 20 km from Braslav. It is a country wooden building with two rooms; it also has a fireplace hall, a TV, toilet and a kitchen. The house can accommodate 3-7 people at a time. There is a Russian steam bathhouse on the banks of the lake. The Fisher’s House “Chernishki” is situated 16 km from Braslav. It has three rooms with stove heating, a kitchen and a Russian bathhouse. Capacity: 7 people. For active tourists the park offers motorboat trips, helicopter trips, various one-day and longer tourist routes (walking, on horseback, by car or on water).

You can buy a pass for the park at the tourist department of “Braslavskiye Ozera” National Park (tel. +375 (2153)29-261, 22-246) or in at the sale department of “BelExpo” (the Belarus’ president’s administrative department, tel. +375 (17) 234-24-13) All year round, the park organises walking trips for groups of 12 people. In summer, there is the option of water routes, one of which follows the famous historical route “From Varangians to Greeks”.

“Pripyatsky” National Park is situated in the heart of the Belarusian Polesye (Woods), 25 km from the Gomel-Brest motor route. Distances: to Minsk – 250 km (Minsk-SlutskSoligorsk-Zhitkovichi-Turov); to Gomel – 265 km (Gomel-ZhitkovichiTurov); to Brest – 350 km (BrestMikashevichi-Zhitkovichi-Turov). The State Landscape Hydrological Reserve on Pripyat River flood-lands was established in 1969 on the territory of Zhitkovichi, Petrikov and Lelchitsy districts of Gomel Oblast (Region). The park’s area has increased from an initial 61 700 hectares to 83 000 hectares. The main places of interest in the park are beautiful nature sites, such River Pripyat with its huge flood-lands and the regularly flooded oak forests. Among the park’s inhabitants are zubr (European bison) brought here in 1987. The area abounds with a variety of animals and fish; its cranberry fields which occupy around 500

hectares are unrivalled in the world. The park’s administration resides in the township of Turov (28 km from the Brest-Bryansk highway). Turov is one of the oldest Slavic towns, the centre of a principality during the epoch of early feudalism. You have the chance to visit Turov’s museum of local folklore. There are also science laboratories, a nature museum and a hotel. The territory of Pripyatsky Park stretches east to west for 64 km and 27 km from the north to the south. The grounds are in themselves made up of a vast plain in the south of Pripyat Polesye, composed of the River Pripyat flood-lands and the terraces in the south which further off turn into glacier landscape. The climate is moderately warm with cool summers and irregular snow covering the ground in winters. Because of the constant floods, some original vegetation has grown up in the area: oak and ash forests and black alders and osiers in the lowlands. There are more than 30 flood lakes and several rivulets flowing from the south northward. The park’s flora has been represented by 826 species of higher plants and more than 200 species of moss. All vegetation typical to the Polesye forests and bogs can be found here. The fauna of the national park numbers 45 species of mammals (zubr, badger, lynx, beaver, musk-rat,

mink), plus 7 reptilian, 11 amphibious (bog turtle and cane toad among others), and 37 fish varieties (including starlet, pike). Something like 265 bird species occupy the flooded plains, and that includes 6 types of eagles, owl, eagleowl, black stork, egrets and others.

TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE “Khlupinskaya Buda” Tourist complex is the biggest tourist initiative in “Pripyatsky” National Park. It is situated in a wood 4 km from River Pripyat. The complex includes 4 cottages, a guarded parking lot, a rest place with a campfire site, a table with a shed and a Russian bathhouse. There are four doubles rooms in each of the two buildings and two more comfortable rooms in the third building. The buildings are equipped with a kitchen, toilets, fridges, TV and audio sets. The fourth building accommodates a dining hall, a bar and a dance hall. Three hot meals a day are available on request. Menu includes Belarusian Polesye traditional dishes, such as vareniki and draniki, as well as specialties of the house – stuffed and baked fish. The complex can accommodate 1924 people at any one time.

“Kabachok” Guest House is situated inside the forest, near to the bank of the River Pripyat. It has two cottages with first class and doubles rooms. Cottages are equipped with a mini-kitchen, dining tables, fridges, TV sets, shower cabins with hot and cold water and a telephone. Three meals a day are available on request. The cottages can accommodate 1720 people at any one time. “Cheretyanka” Guest House is a first class cottage with the capacity to accommodate 4-5 people at any one time. It is situated in the forestland by the banks of Lake Cheretyanka. It consists of two doubles rooms, a mini-kitchen, a dining hall, a lavatory and a shower room, and a fireplace hall with a TV set. There is a mooring platform for boats, a Russian steam bathhouse on the banks of the lake, a campfire site and cages with wolf cubs. Motorboat “Zubr-2” is anchored on the banks of the River Pripyat and used as a floating hotel. The motorboat has 6 cabins (two doubles and one single), a room with a TV set, a telephone, a shower and a toilet. The motorboat is also used for trips along River Pripyat. Three meals a day are available on request. The four methods of transportation available: on foot, on water by boat, on a bicycle or by car.

Route 1: A motorboat trip along the River Pripyat on the “Cyril Turovsky”. Fishing and then a fish soup are organized during the trip. Distance: 60-120 km. Duration: 2 days. Group size: 14-16 people. Overnight stay at “Kabachok” Guest House. Season: end of April to September. Route 2: A boat trip along the Svinovod River. Distance: 15 km. Duration: 2 days. Group size: 4-5 people. Overnight stay in tents on the river bank. Season: end of April to September. Route 3: A trip along the Pripyat River, lakes and canals. Fishing and birds watching is organized during the trip. Distance: 8 km. Duration: 2-4 days. Group size: 8-20 people.

Overnight stay at “Khlupinskaya Buda” and “Kabachok” Guest House. Season: end of April to October. Route 4: A combined car and walking trip around the Turov region historical sites. These include the Museum of Local Folklore, Zamkovaya Hill, the national park’s heritage museum, a zubr nursery, and the Tsar-Oak. Distance: 80 km. Duration: 2-3 days. Overnight stay at “Khlupinskaya Buda” and in the township of Turov. Season: end of April to October. Route “A Trip along the Belarusian Amazon” is a trip on the motorboat “Cyril Turovsky” along the Pripyat River. Season: April to November.

The national park offers weekend tours, an opportunity to hold picnics, plus a Russian steam bathhouse, the renting of boats and motorboats, tents, bicycles as well as the services of a guide or a chef. For hunters and anglers “Pripyatsky” National Park organizes summer and winter fishing and hunting tours. There are three hunting bases on the territory of the Park: in Khlupinskaya Buda, Cheretyanka and at the Hunter’s House in Lyaskovichi. It is obligatory to have permission for fishing, which can be purchased at the park; fishing equipment is available for rent. Commercial hunting is organized within the grounds of the Experimental Forest “Lyaskovichi”, which has an area of 103 000 hectares.

You can buy passes in the National Park “Pripytasky” (tel. +375 (2353) 75-173) or in its representative office in Minsk (tel. 216-99-90, 228-56-24); in “Belintourist” (tel. +375 (17) 222-67-00); or in a Sale Department of “BelExpo” (tel. +375 (17) 234-24-13).

“NAROCHANSKY” NATIONAL PARK State Nature-Conservative Establishment “Narochansky” National Park 11 Leninskaya Street, Naroch Resort Township, Myadel District, Minsk Oblast, 222395 Telephone: +375 (297) 47-340, 49-874, 47-165 Tel/fax: +375 (297) 47 508 “Narochansky” National Park was established in July, 1999. It is situated in the north-west of Belarus on the territory of Myadel, Vileika, Postavy, and Smorgon Districts, 60 km from Minsk. The total area of the park is 94 000 hectares, which includes 37 000 hectares of forestland. There are 43 water reservoirs with total area of more than 18 000 hectares situated on its territory. In the Naroch area the biggest number of the country’s pine forests are situated. On the territory of the national park there are three groups of lakes. The first group is the biggest lake in Belarus, Lake Naroch (width – 10 km, length – 13 km; average depth – 8,9 m, maximum depth – 24,8 m). Around 30% of the lake has a slightly sloping shallow water zone, so in the summer water temperatures reach 23-24 degrees Celsius. Near to Lake Naroch, behind Gatovichi, there are several lakes

spread out across the area: Lake Myastro (1310 hectares), Lake Batorino (625 hectares) and Lake Rudakovo to the north-east. A good season for vacation by Lake Naroch lasts 240 days a year, and the lake has a swimming season of around 100 days. The Naroch area is also famous for its natural, high-quality mineral waters.

The place has good resort traditions. Several villas, a restaurant, a yacht-club and a pier for sailing boats as well as a narrow-gauge railway from Lyntupy Station were built along the banks of Lake Naroch in the first half of the 20th century. Nowadays, Lake Naroch accommodates the country’s biggest recreation resort complex (around 20 sanatoriums and holidays homes). The most renowned and popular of those are the Naroch Tourist Hotel and the Naroch Hotel, Narochansky Bereg Pension, Narochanka Tourist Base, and Priozerny Sanatorium. All of them work all-the-year-round.

Recreational infrastructure at the National Park Narochansky consists of a Naroch camping site for cars and vans, a self-contained residential complex for 35 people, Naroch Hotel, a yacht-club, a youth camp for 35 people, a restaurant, the Urliki motorboat which has been turned into a restaurant, a beach and a park. Because of the plenitude of architectural, cultural and historical monuments, as well as unique natural places of beauty, this area has many tourist excursion routes running through it. Now Narochansky National Park offers trips that allow for one or more days and which utilise a variety of transport means – car, boat, or horseback. More than 28 camp sites are situated on the banks of 14 local lakes. For those craving more comfortable surroundings, there are several cosy cottages situated by the most scenic sites of the Naroch area. In the summertime holiday-makers by the Lake Naroch can rent out boats, catamarans, bicycles and use beaches, water attractions, bowling and billiard facilities. Tourists can visit Myadel’s Museum of Local Folklore which has existed since the 14th century, a manor house and a Catholic church in Lyntupy, as well as a Catholic church in Kamai that was built in 1603-1606 and the historical centre of Postavy Town.

For hunters and anglers Naroch Lakes became famous because of their plentiful reserves of perch, pike perch, turbot, eel and other fish (altogether 25 species). It is possible to go underwater fishing at Lakes Myadel, Volchino and Rudakovo. Underwater fishing is allowed for all kinds of fish (with the exception of eel and the fish listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus as close to extinction). Every fisherman is entitled to catch up to 5 kg of fish. Permission for underwater fishing in National Park “Narochansky” can be issued to those who have an underwater shooting licence. Tourist equipment on hire includes masks, flippers and harpoon guns. At the Myadel Forestry and Hunting Development Base (area – 32,200 hectares) hunting and sport fishing can be organized.

You can buy passes in a Tourist Department of the National Park “Narochansky” (tel. +375 (297) 47-1-42) or in a Sale Department of “BelExpo” of the Adminitsrative Department of the President of the Republic of Belarus (tel. +375 (17) 234-24-13).

BEREZINSKY STATE BIOSPHERE RESERVE State Nature-Conservative Establishment “Berezinsky State Biosphere Reserve”, Domzheritsy, Lepel District, Vitebsk Oblast, Republic of Belarus, 211188 Telephone: +375 (2132) 26405, 26344 Fax: +375 (2132) 26342 E-mail: [email protected] Berezinsky Reserve was established in 1925 for the protection of rare animal species. It is situated in the northern part of Belarus 120 km from Minsk in the direction of St Petersburg. Its total area is 82 000 hectares. In 1979, Berezinsky Reserve received the status of a biosphere reserve. It has been included in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves World Network. Because of its biological diversity and unique combinations of natural conditions, the reserve is very important not only for Belarus but also for Europe. There are four types of ecological systems at the Reserve: forests, bogs, water reservoirs and meadows. Woodland makes up around 80% of the Reserve’s territory. Special significance is paid to indigenous natural formations of pine, black alder and fluffy birchen

marsh forests existing as huge marsh lands with an area of 10 000-20 000 hectares. The reserve’s natural bogs make up 43 000 hectares and are some of Europe’s biggest marshes. The main water artery of the reserve is River Berezina (110 km inside the reserve) which has more than 50 small tributaries. There are also plenty of lakes, for example Palik (712 ha), Plavno (332 ha), Domzheritskoye (191 ha), Manets (113 ha), Postrezhskoye (40 ha), Moskovitsa (16 ha). The total

area of the water reservoirs is more than 2 000 ha. Among inhabitants of the reserve are various species of plants and animals many of which are listed in the Red Book (Belarus’ list of endangered species). More than half of the representatives of Belarusian flora can be found here: 768 species of vascular plants, 218 species of moss, 198 species of lichen and 463 species of fungi. The main kinds of trees are birch, alder, aspen, oak and ash.

There are more than 50 mammal species (badger, elk, otter, bear, lynx, beaver, zubr); 230 birds species (osprey, black stork, grey crane, golden eagle, erne, eagle owl, peregrine, ptarmigan, woodpecker, plover); 10 amphibian species, 5 reptile species and 34 kinds of fish. The onsite nature museum’s 50 year collection puts on display about 300 kinds of animals. Among sites of historical significance are Slavonic barrows, the Berezinskaya water system (once a section of the ancient trade route “From Vangarians to Greeks”), remnants of canals of the 19th century, and the battle fields of the Patriotic War of 1812.

TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE

Domzheritsy Hotel Complex was opened in 1998. It is situated in the heart of the Berezinsky Reserve and has a reputation as an “elite” site. The hotel’s capacity is 70 people with 36 first class rooms. There is also a restaurant serving national cuisine and organic food dishes, a bar, a banqueting hall and a billiard room. Contacts: +375 (2132) 2-63-00 (Administration), 2-63-63 (Director).

Hotel Plavno is situated inside a forest on the banks of the Plavno Lake. The hotel offers high standards of comfort (it has long been the residence of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Belarus Pyotr Masherov). The facilities count nine rooms (four first class rooms and five singles rooms), its maximum capacity is 20 guests at any one time. Every room is equipped with a TV set and a fridge. There is a fireplace hall, a billiard room, a restaurant, a sauna with a swimming pool, cable TV, a beach and a helicopter landing site nearby. Holiday-makers can indulge in sports (tennis, volleyball, handball, football, badminton). Hunting and fishing can also be organized; equipment is available for rent.

Contact telephone: +375 (2132) 2-63-82. Nivki Guest House consists of five separate rooms that could accommodate 10-12 people. There is a toilet, a kitchen, a sauna, a shower and a Russian bathhouse.

Domzheritskoye Ozero Guest House is a two-storey cottage accommodating 6-8 people. There is a kitchen and a Russian bathhouse. The guest house operates waking, water and bicycle tourist routes. The “Ecological Path” route passes through various types of forests and bogs typical to the South Taiga zone. All trees growing in the reserve and more than 190 types of grass can be found along the route. There are special constructions for animal feeding and settlement, and a viewing platform to gaze at the panorama of the marshes. The path finishes at demonstrational, outdoor cages of 10 animals: includes bears, wolves, zubr and elks. An excursion service along the ecological path, during trips to the muse-

um and animal-watching is also available. The renting of boats, bicycles, billiards, kitchen utensils and ware are available. Guide and chef services optional. For hunters and anglers “Barsuki” and “Berezino” Forestry is the place to turn to.

You can buy passes in a Tourist Department of the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve (tel. +375 (2132) 2-63-18) or in a Sale Department of “BelExpo” of the Adminitsrative Department of the President of the Republic of Belarus (tel. +375 (17) 234-24-13).

Belarus has all conditions hunters and anglers would wish for. In game-preserves occupying around 18 million hectares live more than 20 species of animals and around 30 bird species. Fixed hunting periods for main species of wild animals and birds are as follows: Elk and red deer: September 1 – November 30 Roe: May 15 – November 30 Boar: May 15 – January 15 Beaver and otter: October 1 – December 31 Hare, raccoon, fox, marten, polecat, ermine, weasel, squirrel, mink, musquash: the first October Saturday – the third January Sunday Wood grouse: March 20 – May 10 Black grouse: March 20 – May 10 and from the first August Saturday till the last October Sunday Waterfowl and wader, woodcock – the first August Saturday – the last October Sunday During the mentioned periods different hunting types and methods can be used.

A hunting license for foreign citizens can be granted upon submission of proper hunting documents issued in the citizen’s home country. All other aspects of commercial or trophy hunting Belarusian partners take upon themselves. It is also possible to organize sporting, amateur and underwater fishing. Those willing to go hunting in Belarus national park should apply to Sale Department of the National Exhibition Centre “BelExpo” (Administrative Department of the President of the Republic of Belarus): 27, Yanka Kupala Street, Minsk, Tel. +375 (17) 234 24 13 E-mail: [email protected] Belarus Association of Hunters and Fishers also offer hunting tours in more than 100 game-preserves. Contacts: 10, Revolyutsionnaya Street, Minsk, tel. +375 (17) 223 98 77

Budslav Budslav Church has a sacred miracle-working icon at its main altar – that of the Blessed Virgin of Budslav, Patroness of Belarus. Since 1589 in Buda a Catholic Church and a St Benedict’s monastery have existed. The icon was twice transferred to new stone Catholic churches. The monastery chronicle writes that in 1598 the icon was presented by the Pope Clement VIII to Minsk Voevode Yan Pats when the latter converted from Calvinism to Catholicism. The Voevode held the icon in high esteem and it accompanied him in all trips. After Pats’ death in 1610, the icon was inherited by his chaplain Isaac Solokai. In 1613, Solokai visited Budslav on Maundy Thursday and on Good Friday and was so impressed by the church’s service that he presented it the icon and later “ended his life there in the Order of St Francis”. The wooden church’s icon quickly became an object of worship for local people and its fame gathered thanks to miracles and grace. In 1635 it was transferred to the main altar instead of the icon of “Mary’s Visit to Elizabeth”. History and miracles made by the icon have been described by Prior Elevtery Zeelevich in a book “Zodiak on Earth” (Vilno, 1650). Nowadays the Blessed Virgin of

Budslav is regarded as a Belarusian national relic; it received that status on July 2, 1998. Since 1992 the tradition of pilgrimage to Budslav has been revived. Thousands of believers from all corners of the world come to Budslav to bow before the icon.

Zhirovichi Monastery

The monastery is situated in the village of Zhirovichi (Slonim District, Grodno Oblast, 217 km from Minsk along the Brest highway). Once, an icon of the Blessed Virgin miraculously appeared in a local forest. On this site a church was built but it was soon burnt down and the icon disappeared. Many years after, the icon was found by children on a boulder. The icon had mysterious traces – some say the palms and feet of the Blessed Virgin. The icon is miracle-working and the stone that it was found on has become part of the altar at the Exaltation of the Cross Church (dating to the 18th century). Zhirovichi’s St Assumption monastery operated even during the Soviet times and since 1989 accommodates a Theological Seminary which accepts entrants from all republics of the former USSR. Zhirovichi Monastery is a pilgrimage destination for many believers who come here to bow before the miracleworking icon.

Imperishable relics of St Ioann of Korma In the Protection of the Virgin Church in the village of Korma, Dobrush district, Gomel Oblast imperishable relics (a whole intact body) of St Ioann of Korma are being kept. The priest died in 1917 and was buried in the Gomel district. Later the church that he served at and its cemetery were destroyed and a dance pavilion organized on the site. At the end of the 1990s, when the site was being excavated, a grave with the intact body of the priest was discovered. Some older citizens could identify the body, and there were some surviving photographs of the deceased too. He was none other than the priest Ioann Gashkevich. Some years later he was canonized by the Belarusian Exarchate as St Ioann of Korma. Pilgrims from Belarus, Russian and Ukraine regularly come to bow before his relics.

Stone Cross in Turov

In the town of Turov’s cemetery a stone cross “grows” from the ground. According to locals, seven years ago only the top of the cross was visible, and it simply resembled a boulder. When it started to grow higher, people noticed that it was shaped like a cross. Priests called this small stone “Cross the Son”. Its “Father” and “Mother” stand in a local All Saints church. According to eye-witnesses, the Cross grows around one centime-

tre a year. Priests are sure that this happens because of the miracle that happened two centuries ago. Legend tells it that three stone crosses flowed from Kiev to Turov along the river – against the stream. Turov clergy didn’t ask scientists for the explanation of the phenomena of the growing Cross. They think that believers accept the sign unhesitatingly. It is important – they think – that the pilgrims who come here are not idolaters. Turov area is the region from which Orthodoxy started to spread all over Belarus. The country’s first monastery once stood on a hill where now the Cross grows. Belarusian and foreign palmers came here looking for healing. They say that because of the unusual inner warmth in winter, snow melts on top of this stone Cross.

Judaic relic – Volozhin Yeshiva

Volozhin Yeshiva is an educational establishment esteemed by all Jews. Once it was the world centre for Talmud studies. Its significance for Jewish culture is unrivalled. The organization of the Volozhin Yeshiva was initiated by a Vilno rabbi who entrusted his disciple Haim Volozhiner to establish a yeshiva for studying the clear interpretation of the Talmud text without any scholastic cobwebs. Volozhin Yeshiva is regarded as a progenitor of all yeshivas on the territory of the Eastern Europe. During its

existence, Volozhin yeshiva has had some of the best lecturers in Europe which thus defined its high status. In Volozhin, 300 people from different countries studied at the same time. Of the yeshiva graduates, 37 have at some time and in different countries taken up the post of the main rabbi. The history of Volozhin Yeshiva was not so simple. The buildings of the first yeshiva established by Haim Volozhiner were burnt down in 1865. Valuable books and manuscripts perished. Thanks to efforts and energy of the yeshiva leader Naphtali Berlin, in 1866-1867 new buildings exactly resembling the destroyed ones were built on the site. Since 1998, the yeshiva buildings have now been

entered in the state list of historical and cultural treasures. During the 19th century the yeshiva was closed and reopened many times. According to the Jewish Encyclopaedia, the yeshiva was finally shut down in 1926. But some students remained in Volozhin. Tragic events took place during the Second World War: the last 64 students of the yeshiva were shot dead together with the residents of the local ghetto. After the war only the walls of the yeshiva remained. Later the building was reconstructed and accommodated at first a canteen, then a kitchen and a catering service. In 1992 the Town Executive Committee made the decision to transfer the building into the hands of the Jewish Religious Association of the Republic of Belarus. Since 2000, the building has been the property of the Jewish community. Synagogues and rabbi schools, as well as old Jewish graves remain in Volozhin, Mir, Radun, Slonim, Vitebsk, and Novogrudok. Jews from many countries come to Belarus to visit them.

Official holidays: January 1 – New Year January 7 – Christmas (Orthodox) March 8 – International Women’s Day March 15 – Constitution Day (adopted in 1994) May 1 – Day of WorkingPeople Solidarity May 9 – Victory Day July 3 – Independence Day December 25 – Christmas (Catholic)

Furthermore, traditional celebrations are held in Easter according to the Orthodox and Catholic calendar: there are Radunitsa (on the 9th day after Easter) and Dzyady (November 2), commemoration day of the diseased. Among other notable holidays are St Valentine’s Day on

14 February, a holiday for all those in love, Day of Defenders of the Nation and of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus on February 23, which is widely regarded as “Men’s Day”, and April 1 – the day of laughter and jokes. Echo of pagan traditions can be felt at festivals which over the centuries have retained their high popularity: January 13 is the old-style New Year. Traditionally on this day people again celebrate the coming of the New Year. This holiday is called Shendrets, Shedry Vecher (Generous Eve) or Kolyada. People dressed as animals or fantastic creatures, holding a Sun image and a goat’s head walk from one house to another, singing original Kolyadniye songs. In return, hosts stand a treat and sometimes gift money.

At the end of February-beginning of March – the time of Maslenitsa (Shrovetide) – there is an old rite associated with saying a farewell to winter. Traditionally on this day people baked sun-shaped pancakes and held festivals. One of the most interesting and mysterious people’s holidays is Kupalye, celebrated on the night of July 6. According to a centuries-old popular belief, in Kupalye the ferns blossom at night. A person who finds such a fern will know his future and stay young forever. During that night young people go to the woods – in naive but romantic hope to find a fern flower. Girls twine wreaths and send them flowing along the rivers, wishing for luck in life and their future family life. People also sing and dance in a ring and jump over fires. It is an amazing ancient pagan festival.

Musical Festivals Many interesting musical festivals are held in Belarus every year. At the end of the year there is an annual awards ceremony called “RockCoronation” for the best Belarusian rock groups. A crystal crown in a variety of nominations goes to those acts who have played a major role in Belarusian show-business. Wellknown Belarusian musicians, cultural workers and journalists give out awards. In July to the beginning of August, Vitebsk hosts a traditional International Arts Festival “Slavyansky Bazaar” which has a rich programme. It has a young singers’ competition, a children’s contest, and a gala show with star participants from Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia and other European counties. In July to August Mogilev hosts the Festival of Religious Music “Magutny Bozha” (Mighty God) and in November the Retro Music Festival “Zolotoi Shlyager” (Golden Hits). International Organ Music Festival “Zvany Safii” (Sofia’s Bells) is held in St Sofia’s Cathedral in Polotsk.

Chagall Days

Film Festival

Starting from 1992 every year Vitebsk hosts Chagall Days. Their programme includes Chagall readings, exhibitions, musical happenings, festival on Pokrovskaya Street and other events. During the first All-Union Chagall Readings held in January, 1991 in Vitebsk first lectures on Marc Chagall have been read and since 1992 those readings became international. During last years more than 60 researchers from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, France, Great Britain, Switzerland, USA, Israel, Germany and other countries participated.

The film festival “Listapad” is held in November every year in Minsk. A feature of this festival is that participating films have already won awards at other festivals. Another special feature of this festival is the criteria for choosing the winner. The winner of the Grand Prix is chosen through by popular vote. A professional jury and the cinema press jury also work at the festival.

Good food makes us happy. Recipes for happiness are well-known to Belarusian chefs and that is why every visit to any cafe or restaurant is a pure pleasure. Belarusian restaurants are famed for tasty and filling dishes of Belarusian national, Jewish, and Eastern European cuisines. Many offer a large diversity of drinks and unique specialties of the house. By the way, Belarusian masters have plenty of various international culinary awards. A gourmet from any country will be satisfied: you can order pizza, sushi, macaroni, frog’s legs, fried mandarins, fruits de la mare, paella, shashlyk kebabs or moussaka. In Belarus, there are dozens of cafes and restaurants offering world cuisine. It is possible not only to dine but to hold family or business celebrations, business meetings, gather for a friendly evening or a romantic date. A special lunch menu in every restaurant should not hurt any wallet. In the evenings many restaurants organize shows and entertainment programs.

The specifics of the national cuisine

It is widely accepted that the main quality of Belarusian cuisine is the abundance of potato dishes. Indeed, Belarusians do regard potatoes as their “second bread”; the vegetable is an indispensable and an essential part of the national diet. Some specialists explain this phenomenon by natural and climatic conditions of the country which favour selection and development of highly-amyloidal,

tasty sorts of potato. The tastiest potato dishes are those cooked with local know-how. Particulars of the national cuisine are dishes made from grated potato or from various combinations of potato paste mixed with flour, dough or something else. Natural and geographic conditions also promoted the wide use of ingredients such as mushrooms, forest berries and herbs, apples, pears, freshwater fish and crayfish. The usage of lard and pork make Belarusian cuisine similar to the Ukrainian one. Home-made sausages and vyandlina – delicately smoked ham – are made from pork. Lean pork and mutton are often baked in big pieces (generally, the whole of the back part). A roasted goose is much loved by Belarusians. In the old national cuisine salted meat and poultry often existed side by side with dishes which mixed stomachs and udders with some byproducts. The most specific dishes of the Belarusian cuisine are draniki (grated potato pancakes), kolduni (potato pasties with various stuffing), machanka (pancakes with a thick sauce) with mushrooms, babka (baked potato pudding) with cracklings, zharenka (fried potatoes) with mushrooms. In different regions of the country sucking pig with horseradish, roasted goose with apples, smoked Naroch eel, peasant’s sausage and homemade pickings and smoked foods are also popular. The best seasoning for every dish is: “Bon Appetit!” – or in Belarusian: “Smachna Yestsi!”

EMBASSIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES Information and Emergency calls: Fire Brigade — 01 Municipal Militsia — 02 Emergency (Ambulance) — 03 Emergency Gas Service — 04 Taxi — 061, 081, 057 , 084, 007 Pharmacies’ Information — 069 Communal Services and Amenities — 067 Exact Time Voice Mail — 088 Weather Voice Mail — 264-22-01 Minsk Municipal Hotel Administration — 220-08-04 International Telephone Station — 07 International Calls’ Order — 080 Directory Inquiries of International Telephone Station — 053 Directory Inquiries of Municipal Telephone Network — 09 Directory Inquiries of Belarus Telephone Network (calling from Minsk) — 085 Reception of Telegrams from In-home Telephone — 066 Railway Directory Inquiries — 005 Advance Booking of Railway Tickets — 051 Airport Directory Inquiries — 006 Bus Station Directory Inquiries — 004 Bus Station Advance Booking — 227-40-83 Paid Inquiry of Telephone’s and Fax’s Number on Incomplete Data (Minsk) — 009 Round-the-clock Road Technical Assistance — 002

EMBASSY IN AUSTRIA

EMBASSY IN BRAZILIA

EMBASSY IN ARGENTINA

EMBASSY IN HUNGARY

EMBASSY IN ARMENIA

EMBASSY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

6 A-1140 Huttelbergstrasse, Wien, Osterreich (8-10-431) 419 96 30, fax (8-10-431) 419-960 30 30 E-mail: [email protected]

Gazadores, 21 66, CP 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina (8-10 54 11) 478 893 94, fax (8-10 54 11) 478 823 22 E-mail: [email protected]

(8-10 374 1) 27 56 11 fax (8-10 374 1) 26 03 84 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN BULGARIA

6, Charlz Darvin Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria tel. (8-10 3592) 971 34 88, 971 95 28 fax (8-10 3592) 973 31 00 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN BELGIUM

Avenue Moliere, 192, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgique (8-10-322) 340 02 70, fax (8-10 322) 340 02 87, к/с fax (8-10-322) 343-66-35 E-mail: [email protected]

rua Lauro Muller, 116, sala 1606 Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brasil CEP 22290-160 (8-10 55 21) 25 41 22 15 fax (8-10 55 21) 22 44 72 08 E-mail: [email protected] 1126, Agardi ut 3/b, Budapest, Hungary (8-10-36-1) 214 05 53 fax (8-10-36-1) 214 05 54 E-mail: [email protected]

6, Kensington Court, London W8 5DL, U.K. (8-10-44-20) 7 937 32 88, fax (8-10-44-20) 7 361 00 05 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT 26, Gaber Ebn Hayan str., Dokki-Giza, Cairo, Egypt (8-10-202) 338 95 45, 749 91 71, fax (8-10-202) 338 95 45 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE STATE OF ISRAEL 3, Reines str., Tel Aviv, Israel, P.O.B. 11129 (8-10-9723) 523 12 59, 523 10 69 fax (8-10-9723) 523 12 73 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA 163, Jor Bagh, New Delhi — 110003, India (8-10-9111) 2469 45 18, fax (8-10-9111) 2469 70 29 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

1, Azar st., Aban st., Shahid Taheri st., Zafaranieyh Ave., Tehran, P.C., 19887, Iran (8-10-9821) 270 88 29 fax (8-10-9821) 271 86 82 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA №1 Dong Yi Jie, Ri Tan Lu, Beijing 100600, China (8-10-8610) 65 32 16 91 fax (8-10-8610) 65 32 64 17 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

210, Moskovskaya St., Bishkek, 720040 (8-10-99 63 12) 651 365 fax (8-10-99 63 12) 651 177 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA 12, Jezusbaznicas iela 12, Riga, Latvija LV 1050 (8-10-371) 722 25 60 fax (8-10-371) 732 28 91 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN LIBYA

EMBASSY IN SWITZERLAND

EMBASSY IN UZBEKISTAN

EMBASSY IN THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA

EMBASSY IN ROMANIA

EMBASSY IN UKRAINE

P.O.Box 1530, Tripoli, Libya (8-10 218 21) 361 25 55 fax (8-10 218 21) 361 42 98 E-mail: [email protected]

Mimdaugo, 13, 03225 Vilnius-6, Lietuvos Respublika (8-10-3705) 266 22 00, 266 22 11 fax (8-10-3705) 266 22 12 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Villa 434, 26th Street, Al Rouda Area, P.O. Box 30337, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. (8-10-971-2) 4453 399 fax (8-10-971-2) 4451 131 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN RUSSIAN FEDERATION

(8-10-7095) 924 70 31, 777 66 44 fax (8-10-7095) 777 66 33, 928 64 03, 928 78 13 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN FRANCE

38, Boulevard Suchet, 75016 Paris, France (8-10-331) 4414 69 79, 4414 69 75, fax (8-10-331) 4414 69 70 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN CZECH REPUBLIC

626, ul. Sadky, Troja 17100 Praha 7 (8-10-4202) 335 40899, 335 41031 fax (8-10-4202) 335 40 925 E-mail: [email protected]

Quartierweg 6, 3074 Muri bei Bern, Switzerland (8-10-4131) 952 79 14 fax (8-10-4131) 952 76 16 E-mail: [email protected]

Str. Tuberozelor, 6, sector 1, Bucuresti, Romania (8-10-4021) 223 17 76, 222 42 88 fax (8-10-4021) 223 17 63 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN SLOVAKIA

811 06, Bratislava, ul.Kuzmanyho, 3/a 3, Slovakia (8-10 421 2) 544 16 325 fax (8-10 421 2) 544 16 328 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC

Mezzah Est Villas 27, Qurtaja str. P.O.Box 16239, Damascus, Syria (8-10-96311) 611 80 97, 611 80 98, fax (8-10-96311) 613 28 02 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN TURKEY

Abidin Daver Sokak №17, 06550 Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey (8-10-90312) 441 67 69 fax (8-10-90312) 441 66 74 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN TURKMENISTAN Ashhabad, ul. 2011, 17 (8-10 993 12) 35 07 37, 42 97 87 fax (8-10 993 12) 39 64 88 E-mail: [email protected]

53 V.Vakhidova Str., 700031, Tashkent (8-10-99871) 120 75 11 fax (8-10-99871) 120 72 53 E-mail: [email protected]

vul. M.Kocubinskogo, 3 01030, Kiev, Ukraine (8-10-380-44) 537 5200, 537 5213 fax (8-10-380-44) 537 52 13 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN MOLDOVA

MD 2009, str. A.Mateevichi, 35 Kishinev, Moldova (8-10-373-22) 238 302, 238 273 fax (8-10-373-22) 238 300

EMBASSY IN KINGDOM OF NETHERLANDS

Anna Paulownastrat 34, 2518 BE The Hague, Netherlands (8-10-3170) 363 15 66 fax (8-10-3170) 364 05 55 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND

Ul. Wiertnicza 58, 02-952 Warszawa, Polska (8-10-4822) 742 09 90, 842 52 02 fax (8-10-4822) 742 09 80 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE REPUBLIC OF ITALY

Via Delle Alpi Apuane, 16, 00141 Roma, Italy (8-10-3906) 820 81 41, 820 81 430 fax (8-10-3906) 820 02 309 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN CANADA

600-130 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario, 1P 5G4, Canada (8-10-1613) 233 99 94 fax (8-10-1613) 233 85 00 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN pr-t Respubliki, 17 473000 Astana (8-10-7-3172) 32 18 70 fax (8-10-7-3172) 32 06 65 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN CUBA

Calle 5ta A# 3802 e/38 y40, Miramar, Playa, La Habana, Cuba (8-10-537) 204 73 30, 204 73 31 fax (8-10-537) 204 73 32 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

# 432-1636 Shindang-dong, Choong-gu, Seoul, 100-835, Republic of Korea (8-10-822) 798 90 04, 798 90 12, fax (8-10-822) 798 93 60 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

52, Tay Ho Road, Tay Ho Distr., Hanoi, Viet Nam (8-10-844) 829 04 94 fax (8-10-844) 719 71 25 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN GERMANY

Am Treptower Park, 32, 12435 Berlin (8-10-4930) 536 35 90 fax (8-10-4930) 536 359 23 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN USA

1619 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, USA (8-10-1202) 986 16 04 fax (8-10-1202) 986 18 05 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.belarusembassy.org

CONSULATE GENERAL IN NEW-YORK

708 Third Avenue, New York, 21st Floor, NY 10017, USA (8-10-1212) 682 53 92 fax (8-10-1212) 682 54 91 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN SWEDEN

Herserudsvagen 5, 4 floor, 181 34 Lidingo/Stockholm, Sweden (8-10-468) 731 57 45 fax (8-10-468) 767 07 46 E-mail: [email protected] th

EMBASSY ON THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

327 Hill Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0083, South Africa. P.O. Box 4107 Pretoria 0001, South Africa (8-10-2712) 430 77 09 fax (8-10-2712) 342 62 80 E-mail: [email protected]

EMBASSY IN THE SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIVES IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

EMBASSY IN JAPAN

EMBASSY OF ARMENIA

11000 Beograd, ul.Deligradska, 13 (8-10-38111) 36 16 938 fax (8-10-38111) 36 16 836 E-mail: [email protected] 4-14-12 Shirogane, Shirogane K House, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0072, Japan (8-10-813) 34 48 16 23 fax (8-10-813) 34 48 16 24 E-mail: [email protected]

CONSULATE GENERAL IN TALLINN

Magdaleena, 3, sektsion B, 11312 Tallinn, Estonia (8-10-372) 651 55 00 fax (8-10-372) 655 80 01 E-mail: [email protected]

220050, Minsk, ul.Kirowa, 17 Tel./fax (017) 227 51 53, 227 05 63

EMBASSY OF BULGARIA

220030, Minsk, pl. Swobody, 11 Tel. (017) 206 65 58, fax (017) 206 65 59

EMBASSY OF THE UK

37, Carl Marx Str. Minsk 220030 (017) 210 59 20, fax 2292306 Consular Department (017) 229 23 11

EMBASSY OF GERMANY

220034, Minsk, ul. Sacharowa, 26 Minsk, Gazety “Pravda”, 11 Tel. (017) 217 59 00 fax (017) 236 85 52, 230 37 97

EMBASSY OF INDIA

220090, Minsk, ul. Kolzowa, 4 Tel. (017) 262 93 99, 262 77 39, 262 99 70, 262 77 38 fax (017) 284 47 99

EMBASSY OF ITALY

220030, Minsk, ul.K. Marx, 37 Tel. (017) 229 29 69, 229 20 01 fax (017) 234 30 46

EMBASSY OF KAZAKHSTAN

220029, Minsk, ul.Kuibyschewa, 12 Tel. (017) 288 10 26, fax (017) 234 96 50

EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

220071, Minsk, ul.Berestjanskaja, 22 Tel./fax (017) 285 36 82 Consular Department: 285 36 82

EMBASSY OF CUBA

220071, Minsk, ul.Krasnozvezdnaya, 13 Tel. (017) 220 03 83, 284 76 36 fax (017) 220 23 45

EMBASSY OF KYRGYZSTAN 220002, Minsk, ul.Starowilenskaja, 57 Tel. (017) 234 91 17, fax (017) 234 16 02

EMBASSY OF LATVIA

220013, Minsk, ul.Doroschewitscha, 6a Tel. (017) 284 93 93, 284 74 75, 284 72 77, fax (017) 284 73 34

EMBASSY OF LITHUANIA

220029, Minsk, ul. Sacharowa, 68 Tel. (017) 285 24 48, 285 24 49 fax (017) 285 33 37, 285 31 74

EMBASSY OF MOLDOVA

230030, Minsk, ul. Belorusskaja, 2 Tel. (017) 289 14 41, fax (017) 289 11 47

EMBASSY OF POLAND

220034, Minsk, ul.Rumjanzewa, 6 Tel. (017) 288 2114, 288 23 13 fax (017) 236 49 92, 233 97 50

EMBASSY OF RUSSIA

EMBASSY OF FRANCE

EMBASSY OF ROMANIA

EMBASSY OF CZECH REPUBLIC

220002, Minsk, ul. Starowilenskaja, 48 Tel. (017) 250 36 66, 234 54 97 fax (017) 250 36 64 220035, Minsk, per. Moskwina, 4 Tel. (017) 223 80 97, 223 77 26 fax (017) 210 40 85

APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE IN MINSK 6 Volodarsky Str., Minsk 220050 (017) 289 15 84, fax 289 15 17

EMBASSY OF USA

220002, Minsk, ul.Starowilenskaja, 46 Tel. (017) 210 12 83, fax (017) 234 78 53

EMBASSY OF TADZHIKISTAN 220050, Minsk, ul.Kirowa, 17 Tel. (017) 289 11 36, 222 37 98 fax (017) 227 76 23

EMBASSY OF TURKEY

220050, Minsk, ul. Wolodarskogo, 6 Tel. (017) 227 06 57, 227 13 83, 222 48 08 fax (017) 227 27 46, 227 27 22

EMBASSY OF TURKMENISTAN 220050, Minsk, ul. Kirowa, 17 Tel. (017) 222 33 67, 228 06 08 fax (017) 222 33 67

EMBASSY OF UKRAINE

220002, Minsk, ul.Starowilenskaja, 51 Tel. (017) 283 19 90, 283 19 91 fax (017) 283 19 80

220030, Minsk, pl.Swobody, 11 Tel. (017) 210 28 68, fax (017) 210 25 48

220030, Minsk, per. Musikalny, 1/2 Tel. (017) 226 52 43/44/45/46, fax (017) 211 01 37

EMBASSY OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

220014, Minsk, ul. Razinskaja, 66a Tel. (017) 226 34 92, fax (017) 226 34 95

EMBASSY OF JAPAN

220004, Minsk, pr-t. Mascherowa, 23 Tel. (017) 223 60 37, 223 62 33, fax (017) 210 41 80

Consular Establishments CONSULATE GENERAL OF POLAND IN BREST

224016, Brest, ul.Kuibyschewa, 34 (0162) 27 00 00, Fax: 20 38 29

CONSULATE GENERAL OF POLAND IN GRODNO

230023, Grodno, ul. Budennogo, 48a (0152) 75 15 90/95, Fax: 75 15 87

CONSULATE GENERAL OF RUSSIA IN BREST

Brest, ul. Puschkinskaja, 10 (0162) 23 78 42, Fax: 22 24 73

CONSULATE GENERAL OF LITHUANIA IN GRODNO

230015, Grodno, ul. Gorkogo, 104 (0152) 78 01 76, 78 56 35, Fax: 78 01 30

CONSULATE GENERAL OF ESTONIA IN MINSK

220013, Minsk, ul. Doroschewitscha, 6a (017) 217 56 70, Fax: 217 56 71

CONSULATE OF LATVIA IN VITEBSK

210015, Witebsk, ul.B.Chmelnizkogo, 27a (0212) 36 58 54, Fax: 37 01 40

CONSULAR POINT OF UKRAINE IN BREST

224005, Brest, ul.Puschkinskaja, 16/1 (0162) 23 75 26, Fax: 23 75 26