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Minsk Travel Guide
Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to
do and see
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Minsk, the capital of Belarus, has an exciting history. It has stood for
over 900 years, however most of Minsk has been built since World War II. The
center of the city is where most of the action and attraction is. The main
roads, Skoriny and Vyzvalicieliau are the cleanest and busiest in Minsk. The
city is also much safer than one would imagine. Many people hear bad things
about Minsk, and Belarus in general, but the streets are quite safe. This is
probably due to the huge amount of police and soldiers that can be found
throughout the city. Don’t be afraid to get out and meet the friendly
people.
_______Sights
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If you are looking for large black statues, Lenin included, then you've come
to the right place. Minsk has it's share of statues, and other symbols of
the Soviet era. Most of the other large cities in the former Soviet Union
removed most the traces of Communism, Belarus has kept most of theirs.
There is more however, to Minsk. Minsk has it's share of museums, historic
churchs, and even a small Old Town.
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Cathedral of the Holy Ghost
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Built in 1642 to serve Bernadine nuns, the convent’’s consecration was
delayed for 40 years because of the Muscovite invasions. In 1741 the
original structure was damaged by fire but later reconstructed. The convent
was liquidated in 1852 and the building given to the Russian church for use
as a monastery - but half a century later it was closed altogether by the
Bolsheviks. Today after ongoing renovations, the church is a pleasant stop.
If you have never seen a Russian Orthodox service, go in, be polite, and see
what it is all about.
Evening services 18:00 except Mondays.
type: general
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address: Kirilla & Mefodiya 3
tel: (+375-17) 227 66 09
Botanical Gardens
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The Botanical Gardens are filled with flowers and plants from many different
places. Truly a beautiful place.
Entrance on Skoriny opposite Kalinina Square
type: Fountains and statues
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admission: 8,000 BR.
openings: 10:00 - 20:00
Cheluskintsev Park
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One of the biggest fairgrounds in Minsk, named after a famed Belarusian
pilot; it is possible to rent remote-controlled planes to play with. To get
there go to the metro stop of the same name.
Entrance on Skoriny
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Great Patriotic War Museum
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The full horrors of World War II are highlighted here. There is a detailed
model of a Nazi concentration camp that will make the hairs on the back of
your neck rise. The camp was known as the Maly Trostenets death camp, the
largest in Europe after Auschwitz and Maijdanek where over 200,000 died. It
also has a large section devoted to the Belarusian Partisan resistance in
Belarus. At the end of your tour you get to see a huge bust of V.I. Lenin.
Be sure to check out the tanks and other military vehicles out behind the
museum. It is possible to get the tour in English if you make a more..
type: Hotspots
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address: Skoriny 25a
tel: (+375-17) 226 15 44
openings: Open 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Mon.
Church of St. Simon and Helena
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The "red church" was built by a noble family in 1908-1910 upon the premature
death of their two children. When the Bolsheviks came to power, the church
became a cinema then a film studio, and later became a popular meeting place
for the opposition in the 1980s. It adds an element of color to an otherwise
gray city.
Worship services: 09:00, 19:00, Sat 10:00, 12:00, 19:00, Sun 09:00, 11:00,
13:00, 19:00.
type: general
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address: Sovetskaya 15
tel: (+375-17) 220 44 15
Synagogue
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The seat of the Jewish community and a Rabbinical School between 1805 -
1941. The Jewish community used to be the majority in many of the large
cities of Belarus. Today only a few remain.
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address: Kropotkina 22
tel: (+375-17) 234 22 73.
-________Getting Around
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There are many ways to travel around Minsk. The fastest and easiest type of
public transport is the Metro(underground subway). There are also trollys,
buses, and trams. Taxis are also a good way to get around the town, but they
can be expensive. Beats the price of NYC taxi though - you can cross the
city for $5. Most state taxis (yellow "Volgas") have an electronic counter -
just make sure driver zeroe's it before you leave. Negotiation is encouraged
prior to boarding the private taxi. Negotiate down, and then tip a guy -
they are always very appreciative.
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Metro
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The Metro goes fast and it is reliable. It isn't hard to buy tokens or a
month long pass. The only problem is the large amount of people that use the
metro. Riding the metro will answer all of your questions about how sardines
feel in their can. To ride it just go to the teller buy a token, then drop
it in at the gate, make sure you go through the proper side of the gate or
there are some metal jaws that clamp shut to prevent you from riding the
metro without paying.
type: general
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Taxis
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Getting around by taxi is a cheap, relatively hassle-free way to see the
city. Though it’s possible to find honest taxi drivers by flagging a taxi
down on the street, it’s more reliable to phone ahead for one. Taxis are
marked by black checkered strip on the sides of the car. Most are banana
yellow making them very easy to spot. Make sure that the driver starts the
meter when you get in. Avoid private taxis and taxis at the train and bus
stations as they are ready to rip off anyone who hops into their motorised
traps. If you desire to call for a taxi try this place. more..
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Buses, Trolleys, Trams
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If you are traveling to many places in or around Minsk you will probably
have to ride something instead of the metro. Minsk has 2 tram lines, 56
trolley routes, over 100 bus routes and numerous mini-bus taxi routes.
Buses, trolleys, trams and mini-bus taxis run from 05:35 to 00:55 seven days
a week. Avoid peak hours if you value your limbs (07:30- 09:30, 16:00 -
19:00).
type: general
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