About Belarus

Belarus – blessed and rich land, with pristine nature preserved in national parks. The shortest route from Europe to Russia crosses the country.

Belarus by its area is among the top ten European giants.

Country is called “blue-eyed” for the rich amount of lakes.

The Belovezhskaya Pushcha does not require a separate praises is among UNESCO heritage and represent the largest ancient forest in Europe, which is protected from hunters and poachers over the 600 years. In the forest some giant trees age exceeds more than 200 years and exceeds America continent discovery! Also there are the world’s largest population of European bison and the tallest Christmas fir in Europe, located in the residence of Santa Claus. In addition to bison in the forest are found red deer, roe deer, elk and wild boar. Exceptionally rich and diverse variety of forest bird is represented here: about 250 kinds of birds.

Except to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha there are many other national valuables, known outside the country: gentlemen’s Slutskys belts, analogue of which produced even in France, in Lyon, the Cross of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk, who is the patroness of Belarus, world-wide artist Marc Chagall, a representative of the avant-garde, choreographer Valentin Elizariev, pop ensemble “Pesnyary” – these are just a few names of the Belarusian cultural presence in the world. Among first countries in Europe, in 1517 Belorussia had a printed Bible, thanks to the printing pioneer Francis Scorina.

Hero City – Minsk. Any theater starts with a hanger and any city starts with the train station. 10 years ago, in the city was opened an ultramodern railway station admired with the beauty everyone.

” Zero Kilometer ” – a small memorial sign, attracts everyone walking around the capital is a benchmark and specified distances to all regional centers and regional cities, as well as the neighboring states capitals. Of course interesting places are not limited with above-mentioned list! Beautiful building of the new circus, amusement Gorky Park for a long walk with the family.

Trinity Hill district – the only area which still kept the spirit of IX century Minsk.

National cuisine will satisfy lovers of meat dishes.

Delicious pork stewed in a pot with mushrooms and sour cream, fish soup from pike, potatoes dumplings fried with onion and bacon – all the best from national cuisine! Famous hash browns called “dranniki”!

Special dish is– machanka. Sliced pork or sausage first fried and then stewed in a pot. Machanka served with pancakes and fritters.

Belarusian brew-kvas made from birch syrop that gives peppiness and strength.

Many interesting sites located in regions.
Castles and the “family nest’s” original architecture offer you to enjoy the shady paths of parks, relax your mind and keep fond memories of a meeting with the blue-eyed country.

Among the oldest cities is Gomel is the manufectural and cultural center. Gomel region is rich with cultural traditions. Gomel experienced internal strife, the invasion of the Mongols, after which the population and city’s territory were sharply reduced. During the reign of Chancellor of the Grand Lithuania, Prince Michael Frederick Czartorysky was erected powerful bastion castle with four towers, a vast palace, built of century-old oak logs.

By decree of Empress Catherine II in Gomel built Castle. Construction was led by the commander of the Russian Empire Field Marshal Pyotr Rumyantsev. At the end of XVIII-century Rumyantsev’s descendants embodied the dream of the progressive nobility and created ideal conditions for human life.

At the site of a medieval settlement was built a new town with wide streets, stone buildings. Center looks like Paris, the church looks like Rome Pantheon and St. Peter and Paul Cathedral – like the Church of St. Genevieve in the capital of France.

While Gomel became the center of economic life and one of the russian state cultural centers. Among the most beautiful monuments there are protected by Republican law historical values: “Winter Garden” with observation tower, the palace and park monument of architecture XVIII-XIX centuries. Further let’s move to the Palace complex in Ruzhany Sapieha, so called “Belarusian Versailles”. The castle is built in the VII century. It was a family residence of Sapieha. Lev Sapieha studied at the University of Leipzig. According one version a tunnel connected the palace with Kossovskiy castle and the church Synkovichi.

At the beginning of XVIII century the castle was hardly damaged during the war and was rebuilt a few years later. In Ruzhany Palace was a famous theater and art gallery. Especially proud of the home was unique library of the Grand Prince of Lithuania.

Brest Fortress holds a special place in people’s mind who remembers the Second World War. Brest fortress guards were killed, because the enemy’s forces outnumbered brests people several times. The fortress was built in 1830. The thickness of the exterior walls reach up to 2 m, internal – up to 1.5 m, casern housed 500 casemates to accommodate at least up to 12,000 soldiers with ammunition and provisions. The fortress was connected to the other fortifications, bridges and gates: Brest, Kholmsky, Terespolsky and Brigidskih. Currently the fortress was restored and became a museum.

Castle Puslovskys’ building began in 1830, it belongs to the so called “regular” palaces. The architecture is mixed of classic techniques and the Gothic Revival elements. In the palace are over 130 rooms, each of them is unique. In a white room were arranged receptions and balls, in a black room fun and playing cards, and pink – was defined for classic concerts and theater evenings. In the lobby was a glass floor under which goldfish swam and along the palace corridors walked tame lion.

Around the castle was a beautiful terraced garden, where grew almost 200 kind of plants . The terraces were equipped with fountains. There were varietyof sculptures in the park, as well as orangery. Two ponds were cased white willow trees, and round shaped Island mounted in the center.

Vitebsk offers many interesting places so let’s observe details.

Town Hall is the special mark of the city, built in 1775 and is an eclectic of Baroque and Classicism styles.

Marc Chagall House-Museum. It is amazing how an ordinary Vitebsk boy became the famous European artist.

The Church of St. Barbara. Masses are held in different languages.
Due to Cathedral excellent acoustics and will be pleased with great hymns.

Summer Amphitheatre, which is well-known concert venue of “Slavic Bazaar” festival – a symbol of modern Vitebsk.

Holy Assumption Cathedral is impressive with its clean lines and beautiful views from the opposite shore of West Dvina. Bell ringing is a music of Christian soul and give the feeling of being in the Philharmonic Hall.

Even a week is not enough to drive around the country with its sights! Rent a car and start your adventure now!
There is a company Naniko that will provide you a great trip and any type of vehicles!