Belarus: A Sight Like Never Before

About the destination: Minsk is a large city on the River Svislač. It’s the capital of Belarus and a progressive, modern place full of stylish cafés, impressive restaurants and busy nightclubs. Almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, it was rebuilt in a typical Soviet style: wide boulevards all laid out at right angles, monumental classicist or functionalist buildings in the centre, and vast apartment blocks in the nearby suburbs. Even so, Minsk is a fascinating city to visit, with a rich history and culture. The National Library of Belarus is probably the most famous modern building in the whole country. Founded in 1922, its current 72‑metre‑high building was completed in the summer of 2006 and has 22 storeys. Shaped like a diamond, it has an open‑air viewing platform on top with superb views over the city. Troitskoye Predmestye, or Trinity Suburb, is the name of Minsk’s Old Town. It takes its name from the former Trinity Church that once stood there. After renovation, this area was turned into an open‑air museum where you can admire 19th‑century stone architecture. Trinity Suburb is home to museums, antique shops, souvenir stalls, cafés, restaurants and art galleries. It’s a real gem of the city’s architecture, where you can experience old Minsk and get to know its cultural heritage. Minsk is a very interesting city with some lovely neighbourhoods, lively nightlife, and very warm, friendly people.