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Minsk Travel & Sightseeing Guide
January 10, 2008 |
A trip to Minsk
Belarus’ capital city, Minsk, was severely set back during WWII when 80 per cent of its infrastructure was destroyed. Stalin rebuilt the city during the 1950s according to his cinderblock tastes and to this day, the city remains an interesting, if not bland, remnant of the former Soviet Union.
Flights to Minsk
Minsk International Airport is about 45kms east of Minsk and offers flights to and from a variety of European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Major carriers in and out of this facility are Germany’s Lufthansa along with the national Belarus carrier, Belavia. Much closer to the city, you’ll find Minsk-1, a previously booming airport that’s scheduled to close down soon due to residential noise pollution. Minsk International is expanding to take on the additional traffic. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Minsk try Expedia.
Minsk is Belarus’ only city that boasts an underground metro. Currently, the subway operates two lines across Minsk with a total of 23 stations. Further expansion is underway to add five new stations in the next few years. Minsk is a major transport hub for Belarus and it’s possible to book trains and buses to every other major city in the country.
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Sightseeing in Minsk
Many of the primary landmarks in Minsk are a throwback to prior Soviet rule. While many of the former Soviet States chose to remove all tributes to the Soviet Union, Belarus has held on to the extent that it has become a sort of hotspot for Soviet history enthusiasts.
Those who have seen their fair share of tributes to Lenin and block-style architecture aren’t completely without opportunity. The Cathedral of the Holy Ghost may have been closed by the Bolsheviks, but it’s open today and is currently undergoing renovations to preserve this 17th century Bernadine convent. In addition to this and a few other churches, the city also has several parks, museums and a botanical garden. The local synagogue still stands, though the current population of devotees is only a shadow of its former self.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Local Belarusian cuisine includes rich potato dishes as well as baked meats and hearty soups. In general, the quality of international fare is variable; and if it’s quality you seek then you’ll fare best by sticking to upscale establishments like Beze and Pechki-Lavochki. When in doubt, stick to the more prominent restaurants in the most popular locations.
Minsk has done its fair share to build up a formidable nightlife scene. The X-Ray club headlines the scene on Internacionalnaya, and it’s not uncommon for aspiring clubbers to be turned away for being underdressed or otherwise undesirable. You’ll find plenty of other establishments that house multipurpose drinking, dancing and cabaret venues all under one roof.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Shopping isn’t a big draw card for travellers to Belarus. In general, the quality of locally produced goods is a little low; but the prices are at least competitive compared to Western standards. Cosmetics and textiles like linen and wool are very affordable. Hands down, the best local product is Vodka. Brest is a local brand that costs considerably less than its international counterparts, available at almost any shopping centre.
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