Having fun without spending a single cent feels good, doesn’t it? Travelling can all too easily consume the contents of your bank account, so it’s good to know what kinds of things you can do and see for free. Our Minsk locals Veranika and Maria have shared some tips on how to stay entertained in the Belarusian capital while giving your wallet a rest.
1. Test your Belarusian geography skills at the Museum of Boulders
Can you believe there’s a place in Minsk where you can “travel” across the entire country? The Museum of Boulders (known as the “Belarusian Valuny”) is an outdoor museum where 2134 stones have been arranged to form a map of Belarus including its cities, hills and rivers.
2. Enjoy pretty views at Trinity Hill
Trinity Hill is the oldest district in the city, with houses dating back to the 19th century (the area was redeveloped after a fire in the early 1800s). Located on the banks of the Svislach River, it’s a calm place to watch the sun set or take a pleasant stroll. Steeped in history and blessed with charming views, it has the romantic spirit of 19th-century Minsk.
3. Discover the Island of Tears
While exploring the Trinity Hill district, keep an eye out for a small bridge leading to an island with a curious-looking chapel. Known as the Island of Tears, it’s a memorial commemorating Belarusian Soviet soldiers who died in battle in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989. The chapel is surrounded by haunting statues of grieving mothers, widows and sisters. For some strange reason, newlyweds like to come here on their wedding day.
Photo credit: Dennis Jarvis
4. See the Minsk Mother of God icon at the Holy Spirit Cathedral
This beautiful white building dominates the Nemiga district. Built in 1633, it’s the centre of the Belarusian Orthodox Eparchy. It features many paintings of different saints, including a miracle-working mosaic of the Mother of God, known as the “Minsk Icon”. According to popular legend, she cried tears of diamonds upon seeing poor people, and was thus able to help them overcome poverty.
Photo credit: Ihar
5. Meet local intellectuals at Gallery Ў
Gallery Ў is a creative hub and a centre for modern Belarusian culture. It attracts local intellectuals and creative types with its poetry evenings, book presentations and seminars. It also features an exhibition hall with interesting contemporary art installations.
6. Check out the National Library of Belarus
If you’re into architecture, you should definitely visit Minsk’s controversial National Library. It might not be the prettiest building you’ve ever seen, but it sure is an interesting one. Although it’s not located in the city centre, it’s easily accessible by public transport (the blue metro line). It’s located on a riverbank and surrounded by a beautiful park, plus it’s the only structure in the city with a public observation deck.
Photo credit: american_rugbier
7. Admire the Church of Saints Simon and Helena
According to local legend, a girl named Alena and her younger brother were very ill. An angel visited Alena in a dream and ordered her to build a cathedral. When she woke up, she drew a beautiful red brick cathedral. After the children died, their father (Edward Vaynilovich) built the cathedral in their honour. Nowadays it hosts concerts, theatre performances and art exhibitions.
8. Get back to nature at Gorkiy Park
This park is often packed with children on weekends, so stop by during the week to enjoy the lush greenery, tall trees, curving paths and Svislach River in peace. You can walk along the river for quite a distance, and there are also bicycle lanes. Shows and concerts are typically held her
e on public holidays.
Photo credit: Ilya Kuzniatsou
9. See the “Three Storks” sculpture at Independence Square
This large square is surrounded by a couple of universities, the Belarusian Parliament, the Church of Saints Simon and Helena and a hotel. It features a huge fountain with the famous “Three Storks” sculpture symbolising Belarusian independence, as well as a Lenin monument.
Photo credit: Dennis Jarvis
10. Take a relaxing walk along Kastrychnitskaya Vulica
You won’t find anywhere as calm or intimate near the centre of Minsk as Kastrychnitskaya Vulica. It’s a peaceful street with old (some of them still working) red brick factory buildings, an honour wall, periodically emerging street art, rare trams and complete silence. Many movies about pre-revolutionary Russia were filmed here. Don’t stop at the beginning of the street – the most interesting part awaits you at the end!
Opening photo credit: Maks Karochkin
For more local recommendations read:
What locals like to do in Minsk
Where locals like to eat in Minsk
Where locals like to party in Minsk
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