October Square in Minsk (at that time it was called "Central Square") began its existence in the late 1940s. Previously, there was a residential area, which was badly damaged during the bombing. Here, in the period from 1952 to 1961, a 10-meter monument to Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin stood. In 1961, he made the decision to blow up the monument.
Oktyabrskaya Square is also notable for the fact that a memorial sign was erected here in the late 1990s "Zero kilometer". It is interesting that earlier it was customary to count the zero kilometer from the building of the Main Post Office. Today's "Zero Kilometer" is located at a distance of one kilometer from its predecessor. The architect A. Sardarov, the sculptor A. Finsky, the metal artist V. Zavedeev worked on the creation of the sign.
Republican Palace of Culture of Trade Unions
In 1956 was opened Palace of Culture of Trade Unions, designed by architect V. Ershov. A sculptural composition was installed on the facade of the building, on which A. Glebov, V. Popov, S. Selikhanov worked. There are also sculptures here: a girl with a violin, a boy with a globe, a worker, a peasant woman, an athlete and a scientist (these works were also created by the sculptors mentioned above).
At the beginning of the XNUMXth century, on the site of the modern Palace of Culture of Trade Unions in Minsk, there was a wooden house with a very common name for that time "Borsch's house". It was the first-class department store of the Borsch brothers and Livshitsy. A little later, an office with a printed organ and control of the railway moved in. Independence Avenue (at that time Zakharyevskaya street) has always been a bustling place due to the large concentration of shopping and entertainment enterprises.
But by the 50s, the lively place was overgrown with weeds, and the once-famous "Borsch House" turned into a wretched wooden house, so the authorities decided to clear the wasteland and entrusted the construction of the Palace, in the style of an ancient Roman temple, to the architect V. Ershov. The Palace of Culture of Trade Unions has become a real cultural center of Minsk.
But in 40 years, by 1995, the building had become so hung that it was closed for restoration until December 2003. Over the years, the Palace was not only restored, but also equipped with modern equipment, including for the stage.
Interior of the Palace of Trade Unions
From now on, the interior decoration of the Republican Palace of Culture of Trade Unions is not inferior to the exterior design. Columns, arches, walls decorated with stucco make an indelible impression on all visitors.
On the first floor there are Column, White, choreographic and theater halls. The theater stage repeats the stage of the Moscow Bolshoi Theatre, with stalls, loggias and tiers, and the hall itself is designed for 850 seats. In a large and bright choreographic hall, equipped with modern equipment, classical ballet bars and a mirror wall, today both well-known and aspiring stars of Belarusian classical and modern dance are engaged. The results of their sold-out rehearsals take place not only at concert venues Belarus and in other states. In addition to the school of classical and modern dance, more than 40 different studios, ensembles, schools and a professional male "Concert Choir" are open in the Palace. FPB". Today it also houses Museum of Miniatures of sights of Belarus.
Palace of the Republic in Minsk
Building Republic Palace, which is located on October Square in Minsk, was launched in 1985. But it only opened in 2001.
The 45-meter building 100x100 meters and going underground for 20 meters was built according to modern technical developments, and technological innovations made it possible to hold political events and international congresses in the building. All grate scenes in the palace are transformed: they can tilt and fall through. Orchestra pits have the same technical equipment. And the large and small halls of the Palace of the Republic are equipped with wireless simultaneous translation systems.
The interior of the Palace of the Republic, in contrast to the restrained appearance, is more luxurious, but still maintained in a strict style. The palace has a whole complex of foyers, halls and halls. The main attraction and pride of the palace is the Great Hall, designed for 2700 seats with balconies and government boxes. The Small Hall is inferior to the "Big" in the number of seats, only 470, but not in beauty and decoration. There are many small rooms in the Palace of the Republic, such as conference rooms, press rooms, a banquet hall and a podium hall, all of which are equipped with the latest technology.
The cinema of the Palace of the Republic of Minsk is equipped with modern 3D equipment for watching films. At the entrance to the cinema hall there is a small cozy cafe, and at the exit there is a restaurant for those who want to extend their pleasant impressions and share them over dinner.
From 1966 to 2008 there was an old building Museum of the Great Patriotic War (was opened in 1944 and was originally located in the House of Trade Unions on Freedom Square). It was built according to the project of architects G. Benediktov and G. Zaborsky. The museum had an extensive collection of exhibits that told about the Second World War. Museum expositions were placed here until the move to a new building on Pobediteley Avenue.
To the left of the Palace of the Republic is the largest fountain in Minsk. It throws out 1300 water jets.
In addition to the listed buildings, the square also houses the buildings of Beltelecom RUE, the Minsk Regional Executive Committee, and the Kupalovsky shopping center is located under the square.
