For those planning to visit Belarus, especially its capital, we have put together a list of the main sights of Minsk. This guide includes 30 interesting and classic places in the city that are worth visiting for any tourist. Note that this article does not cover castles in Belarus, only attractions within the Minsk Ring Road.
Trinity Suburb
When in Minsk, you cannot miss Trinity Suburb, a vibrant and historic district of the city.
Upper Town
Within the streets Nemiga, Maxim Bogdanovich, Internatsionalnaya, and the Svisloch River, lies the historic Upper Town, where some of the most popular and well-known sights of Minsk are concentrated.
Cathedral on Nemiga
Today, this cathedral is the central Orthodox church in Minsk. It was originally built as part of the Bernardine Monastery in the 17th century.
Former Church of Saint Joseph
Behind the cathedral, you will find the rebuilt section of the Bernardine Monastery and the former church. Today, it houses archives, museums, and a modern hotel.
Former Church of the Holy Spirit
Continuing your tour of Minsk’s sights, be sure to visit the building that once housed the Church of the Holy Spirit. This Greek Catholic church was originally built in the 17th century and was restored in the late 20th century. Today, it serves as a children’s philharmonic hall, where musical performances are often held in the summer.
Minsk City Hall
Opposite the children’s philharmonic hall, you’ll find the Minsk City Hall, rebuilt and reopened in 2012. The building now houses a branch of the Museum of the History of Minsk.
Church of the Virgin Mary
Architecture lovers will enjoy visiting the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located across the street from the town hall on Liberty Square.
One of the Oldest Buildings in Minsk
Another fascinating attraction in Upper Town is the Residential Building of the Basilian Monastery, considered the oldest building in Minsk.
Peter and Paul Cathedral
On Nemiga, down Rakovskaya Street 4, stands the unique Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, which features Baroque and Renaissance elements. The first version of this church was built in 1620.
World War II Memorials and Museums
Minsk is home to several significant sites dedicated to the memory of World War II.
Stela and Victory Park
Among the most frequently visited places in Minsk is the Stela – Minsk Hero City obelisk. In July 2014, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War moved to a new modern building topped with a glass dome and stained glass windows. The mirrored facade is decorated with beams symbolizing victory salutes, each featuring a high-relief depicting a historical event.
The museum, with its irregular shapes and inclined planes, is surrounded by Victory Park, forming a majestic memorial complex.
Victory Square
Located on Independence Avenue, between Frunze, Kommunisticheskaya, and Zakharova Streets, Victory Square was formerly known as Round Square.
Nearby, you’ll find several more unique and lesser-known attractions in Minsk.
Church on the Golden Hill
If you turn into the courtyards near Victory Square, you’ll discover one of the oldest churches in Minsk—Saint Roch Church, a place surrounded by legends and mysteries.
House of Lee Harvey Oswald
Few people know that Lee Harvey Oswald, the prime suspect in the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1963, lived for a few years in a house on Kommunisticheskaya Street, 4.
Museum of the RSDLP
Another unusual attraction in this area is a house once owned by Frantiska Rzhechka, where the First Congress of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP) took place. Interestingly, this congress was largely forgotten until 1923, as all nine participants held pro-Western social democratic views and later did not align with the Bolsheviks.
Minsk’s Iconic Streets, Avenues, and Squares
Minsk is known for its spaciousness and cleanliness, with many notable streets, avenues, and squares that are attractions in themselves.
Oktyabrskaya Square and Independence Avenue
In this area, you will find the Palace of the Republic, a major cultural and business center in Minsk. Its architecture is often debated, as many consider it too harsh.
Nearby stands the Palace of Culture of Trade Unions.
For those interested in architecture, don’t miss the Architectural Miniatures Museum of Belarus, which features scaled-down versions of the country’s landmarks.
Circus, Stalinist Empire Style, and Historic Buildings
Across the road, you will see the grand Belarusian State Circus, which seats 1,667 people and was built in 1954.
If you walk along the avenue, take note of the Stalinist Empire-style architecture that dominates the area. Each building has its own historical significance.
For example, on Lenin Street, you can see Minsk’s oldest hotel—“Europe”, which has been restored to its original appearance.
Red Church
A must-visit is the Church of Saints Simon and Helena, located near the Government House and the Capital shopping center.
Minsk’s Most Notable Streets
Rakovskaya Street – Known for its historic buildings and authentic local establishments.
Oktyabrskaya Street – A mix of industrial heritage and Minsk’s underground culture.
Revolyutsionnaya Street – Famous for its upscale restaurants and cafes.
Karl Marx Street – A street full of museums, hotels, and historical landmarks.
Lenina Street, 20 – Home to the National Art Museum of Belarus, showcasing the best examples of Belarusian and international art.
Alivaria Beer Museum
For fans of unusual museums, the Alivaria Beer Museum offers a fascinating brewery tour, located in a historic building dating back 150 years. Visitors also get to taste local beer.
Cultural and Architectural Landmarks in Minsk
Opera and Ballet Theatre
Among the sights of the Soviet era, the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus, built in 1937, stands out. It follows the best traditions of Soviet architecture and is surrounded by a beautiful square and garden.
National Library of Belarus
One of Minsk’s most unusual architectural landmarks is the National Library of Belarus, built in the shape of a rhombo-cuboctahedron and standing over 70 meters tall. Visitors can climb to the observation deck for a panoramic view of the city.
The Pit Memorial
Located on Melnikaite Street, the Pit Memorial was opened in 1947 to commemorate the more than 5,000 Jewish prisoners of the Minsk Ghetto who were executed at this site.
Island of Tears
Dedicated to Belarusian soldiers who died in the Afghan War, this memorial complex is situated on an artificial island in the Svisloch River. Visitors can reach it via a humpbacked bridge, illuminated by red lanterns at night.
A statue of a weeping angel stands at the shore, symbolizing the grief and loss of Belarusian soldiers.
Yanka Kupala Theater
When exploring Minsk, you will undoubtedly come across glowing reviews of the Yanka Kupala Theater, Belarus’s oldest surviving theater, attended by Vladimir Aliaksandrovich Romanov and Princess Maria Pavlovna at its founding. The current building was restored in 2013.
