Minsk City Tour

	Duration:	2.5-3 hours
	Distance:	20-30 km
	Price for the excursion:	1-2 pax - 85 EUR (basic car) 3-7 pax - 110 EUR (minibus)

Minsk isn't the most advanced, wealthy or famous city but it's safer than Warsaw, cheaper than Kiev, less crowded than Moscow and cleaner than most European capitals. Moreover it has its own spirit and interesting history.

Almost completely rebuilt after destructive WWII, nowadays it has wide streets, large parks, beautiful architecture nice bars and restaurants. Minsk offers almost everything you need from a modern city, whether you came on business or enjoy weekend.
The city of Minsk is located in the middle of Belarus and is the Capital of the Republic of Belarus. For the first time Minsk was mentioned in 1067 (referred to as Mensk, Menesk in chronicles).

Nowadays it has a resident population of 1'828 thousand (as of 14.10.2009).
It occupies an area of 255.8 km2. Administratively, it is subdivided into 9 urban districts.

During city tour you will have an opportunity to get acquainted with the most famous places of interest in Minsk. Excursion takes 2.5-3 hours (car and walking). Sights: Victory Square, Independence Square, St. Helen & St. Simon Catholic Church, Troitskoye Predmestiye (Trinity Suburb), Upper town, Railway station, Independence Av, Pobediteley Av, etc.

Victory Square
Оne of the main monuments dedicated to the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945). In the center of the square there is an obelisk erected in the honor of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. The obelisk has prism shape and is 40 m high with the Victory order on the top. The monument was opened in 1954. There is an eternal fire near the pedestal of the obelisk

Island of tears
The monument is located in the area of the old town (Troitskoe predmestie). Island of tears was opened on the 3d of August 1996 “To the sons of Belarus who died beyond the bounds of the country in the Afganistan War”. The monument is made in shape of temple, there are 4 altars inside of the monument with the names of 771 soldiers who died in Afganistan. Island of tears is a very picturesque place in Minsk.

Troetskoe Predmestie
The historical part of Minsk that survived after the destroying Great Patriotic War. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of the city. Troetskoye Predmestie will give you an idea what the town looked like in the past. There are a lot of shops, cafes in Troetskoe Predmestie. It’s a nice place to walk.

Minsk City Hall
It was reconstructed in 2003 on the same place where it stood from 1582 until 1851 when it was destroyed. First city hall of Minsk was built at the beginning of the 16th century and it was a wooden building. In 1582 the City Hall was built on a new place in stone. The City Hall was a symbol of the Magdeburg right that the city received in 1499. The monument is situated in the historical part of the “upper city” very close to the other sights of Minsk.

Saint Spirit cathedral
It was built in 1633-1642 first as a catholic St.Bernard’s nunnery. It was built almost on the same place where the Orthodox Church of Saint Kosmy and Damiana stood until the beginning of the XVII century. During XVIII-XIX centuries the building was being rebuilt several times. In 1852 St.Bernard’s nunnery was closed and nuns were moved to the Nesvizh town. In 1860 the cathedral was opened as the orthodox monastery and in 1870 it became Saint Spirit monastery of the Orthodox Church. Saint Spirit cathedral has a number of sacred orthodox icons.

Nezavisimosty avenue
It is the main thoroughfare of the city crossing Minsk from the south-west to the north-east. Only 10 houses survived on the avenue after the Great Patriotic War. Now it’s the main avenue of Minsk where there are several squares: Nezavisimosty, Octiabyrskaya, Victory, Yukuba Kolosa, Kalinina, museums, different trade centers, National library, National Bank, several universities, Academy of Since, parks, shops, restaurants etc.

City Gate
Two symmetrical buildings across the street from the railway station that could be perceived as a gate to the city for the visitors arriving by train or by bus to Minsk.

National Library
One of the most substantial projects in modern Belarus. 25-storied building in shape of diamond, symbolizing material and spiritual values that are being kept in the library and are being gathered by humanity during thousands years.

Red church
“Red church” is the Roman-Catholic church of St.Semeon and St.Elena. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century thanks to the nobleman Edward Voynilovitch whose donation covered the most part of the construction work. He initiated the name of St.Semeon and St.Elena to be given to the new church to memorize the memory of his two children who died in the young age.

Stella “Minsk – city hero”
The monument was built in 1984 to memorize 40th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. It is one of the Minsk’s symbols.

October Square
It is a central square in Minsk. To the right of the Palace of the Republic you can see the Museum of The Great Patriotic War – the World biggest exposition of the historical documents, armaments, military units’ colors, orders, etc

Independence Square
Оne of the biggest squares in Europe (half of the kilometer in length). Under the square there is the biggest underground shopping mall in Belarus with numerous cafes, boutiques, bowling and cinema.

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We know that travelers are different thus and so different their interest to the places they visit. Some people like to hear professional guide and plunge into the atmosphere of a place and its' history, for many others the most important is a fact of been there and seen a place with their own eyes. Some people are limited with a budget and would like to reduce the price. Here comes our new option - "visiting of a place". We can offer you visiting of tourist sights with English speaking driver. Our English speaking driver will take you to the places you will choose, it could be excursion sights, listed below, show you around and give you brief information about sights. This option will allow you to save 20-30% from the cost of excursion. If you want just to visit place with English speaking driver, please indicate this in the Additional information box in the Order form for our excursions listed below.

USEFULL TIPS

• The day off for most Belarusian museums is Monday
• Most museums work from 10.00 (11.00) to 17.00 (18.00)
• You can buy tickets to museums with local currency only