Freedom Square in Minsk - one of the oldest and historically interesting places in the capital. It has existed for over 400 years.
The square appeared at the beginning of the 16th century. For a long time it was considered the main administrative, commercial and cultural center of the city. Until the middle of the 19th century it was called upper market, and before the October Revolution had the name "Cathedral Square".
Main point of interest Liberty Square - city hall. The first building was wooden and appeared in the 16th century. Several times suffered from fires and other destruction. In this building at different times there were: a magistrate, a court, an archive, a music school, a theater. However, in 1857, by decree of Nicholas I, the building was destroyed. At the beginning of the 21st century, it was decided to restore this iconic attractions in Minsk. It has become an exact copy of the town hall of the 18th century in the style of classicism. On the ground floor there are expositions that tell about the history and main attractions of the city. And on the second floor there is a hall for especially important meetings concerning Belarus. The architectural ensemble of Freedom Square in Minsk is different from others squares in Minsk with its cult religious buildings, which are located in a relatively small area.
Freedom Square in Minsk known for the complex of the Jesuit Collegium. To date, only the achrycathedral church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the premises of the Jesuit school have survived from it. Both buildings have been reconstructed and changed quite a lot. The church and school were built in the 17th century in the Baroque style.
Also on Freedom Square at different times there were Bernardine, Uniate, Basilian, Dominican monasteries ... The Dominican monastery has not survived to this day, while the rest have come down to our time in a modified form.
The Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful places in Minsk. It begins its history in the first half of the 17th century (then this place belonged to the Catholic Bernardine monastery). It is here that the revered Orthodox shrine is located - the miraculous icon of the Mother of God. The cathedral was closed several times, stopped its activities. At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a gym for firefighters and an archive. And only in 1961 the cathedral received the status of the main temple of Belarus.
Minsk. st. Freedom Square, st. International, st. Revolutionary.
