Parks and Recreational Areas

Mikhailovsky Square – The square enchants visitors with its sculptures: The Girl on the Bench, a Guy Asking for a Cigarette and The Girl with an Umbrella by V. Zhbanov. Metro: Ploshchad Lenina.

Yanka Kupala Park – Built in 1962, it is home to Yanka Kupala’s monument and the Venok (Wreath) sculptural fountain. The Yanka Kupala Literary museum is also situated within. Y. Kupaly str. Metro: Oktyabrskaya/Kupalovskaya.

Chelyuskintsev Cultural Leisure Park – Open in May 1932, it is the city’s central park. Attractions include a children’s railway. 84 Pr. Nezavisimosti. Metro: Park Chelyuskintsev. Tel. 281-65-46.

Central Square – Founded in 1872 on the former site of Alexandrovsky Gardens, it was renovated in 1971. Its main attraction is The Boy and the Swan Fountain. Metro: Oktyabrskaya/Kupalovskaya.

Central Botanic Gardens – Founded in 1932, the Gardens occupy an area of 92.8 hectares. A “museum” of plants from various places on the globe. One of Minsk locals’ and visitors’ best-loved places of interest. 2v Surganova str. Metro: Akademiya Nauk. Tel. 284-14-84.

Children’s Central Gorky Park – Minsk’s oldest park. Laid in 1805, it was previously titled the Governor’s Gardens. There is an indoor skating rink, attractions, slot machines, planetarium, and the Maxim Gorky monument. No smoking is allowed in the park. 2 Frunze str. Metro: Ploshchad Pobedy. Tel. 236-51-31.

Dreamland Modern Amusement Park – Attractions and entertainment programmes. There are 11 rides including 4 children’s, 4 family and 3 extreme ones. Entrance fee only. Excellent landscape design. Cafй and snack bars. In-house security service. Medical aid station. Open May-October Mo 1p.m.-11 p.m., Tu-Su 10 a.m.- 11 p.m. 80 Orlovskaya str. Tel. 250-61-27, 253-75-54.

Loshitsa Estate and Park Complex – A monument of the second half of the 19th century estate and park art. Located in the northern outskirts of Minsk at the confluence of the rivers Loshitsa and Svisloch, in the vicinity of the former Loshitsa village (presently, Chizhevskikh street). The complex includes a mansion, a chapel, housekeeper’s dwellings, a water mill, a distillery, household premises and a landscape park. Currently, the estate is under reconstruction. 10 Pr. Chizhevskikh. Tel. 221-34-05, 221-13-80.

Out-of-Town Memorial Sites

Khatyn State Memorial – the complex was erected on the site of Khatyn village, burnt down by the Nazis during the Second World War. The centre of the composition is a 6 metre high bronze sculpture of the Unconquered Man. Logoisk district, Minsk region. Tel. +375/17/745-57-87

“Stalin Line” Historical and Cultural Site – An open-air museum of 1930s military fortifications: defence line with anti-tank obstacles and ditches, anti-personnel obstacles and machine-gun pillboxes. Open from Tu-Su 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Loshany village, Minsk district. Tel. 503-20-22.

Mount of Glory – The mount was erected on the 21st kilometre of the Minsk-Moscow motorway to commemorate the heroism of the Soviet Army in the 1944 Belarusian operation. The Mount of Glory is an impressive hill (35m high) topped by four bayonet shaped obelisks (each 35.6 m high). These symbolize the four fronts on which troops liberated Belarus.

Out-of-Town Attractions

Dudutki – A cultural museum located 40 km from Minsk on the Ptich river. This 19th century Belarusian szlachta (rich landowners’) estate has an original working windmill, a blacksmith’s and a cheese-makers’. Vintage cars are also on display and visitors can take advantage of an old style Belarusian sauna, horse riding, sledging and horse-drawn carting. Tel. 017 13/725 25.

Logoisk – This mountain ski resort offers a restaurant and a hotel complex, tennis courts, sauna, billiards, a gym and horse-riding. The car park is guarded. Logoisk district, Minsk region. Tel. +375 1774/530 00 (reception), +375 1774/532 98 (hotel), 203 3881 (marketing department).

Silichi – This ski mountaineering centre is located 30 km from Minsk. Accommodation can be found in its comfortable hotel and two-storey cottages. A restaurant, cafй, conference hall and Internet services are available. Parking is covered by comprehensive video surveillance and 24 hr. security service. Corporate events, anniversaries, weddings, conferences and business seminars are catered for. Logoisk district, Minsk region. Tel. +375 1774/502 00, GSM 634-0553.