ENJOY DAY TOURS WITH PROFESSIONAL GUIDES
MINSK CITY TOUR
Minsk city is the heart of Belarus and it is the best place to start your exploration of this country. You will see the historical area of the Upper town known from the 16th century, find out about many monasteries and churches, see the oldest building in Minsk and dive deep into the cozy street that hasn’t changed for 300 years. You will find ind the symbol of city independence - the City Hall, meet the mayor of the 16th century Minsk and get to know how Minsk became the centre of the European trade. The Upper Town boasts the main Orthodox Holy Spirit Church where the wonderworking icon of the Virgin Mary is located as well as the main Catholic Cathedral of Saint Virgin Mary.
During the excursion you will visit picturesque Trinity Suburb that is known since the 12th century. In the near proximity you will get acquainted with the Islands of Tears constructed in commemoration to the internationalist soldiers combating in Afghanistan.
Post-war Minsk is a great example of Stalinist Empire architecture and you can enjoy it walking along the Independence Avenue. Notably one part of it has survived the Great Patriotic war including pre-revolutionary Profitable Houses, St. Simon and Helen Catholic Church as well as The House of Government. This is the fact to be reiterated as Minsk was ruined by more than 85% during the Great Patriotic War.
Five squares lead you through the Independence Avenue past the Botanical Garden to the National Library of Belarus. There is an observation pad on the roof of the 72-meter building of the library and you can look on Minsk from a bird’s flight.
Come through the history of Minsk to enjoy its modern diversity and hospitable atmosphere.
MIR CASTLE & NESVIZH CASTLE
The erection of Mir Castle started in the 16th century as the first private owned castle, it became the witness of many historical events and battles. Approaching these strong towers and thick walls you already feel the spirit of the medieval epoch. During the excursion around the castle you will get acquainted with the lifestyle of the Belarusian gentry of the 16th-19th centuries.Two towers are available for the entrance and this will provide you with an amazing view of the lake and forest nearby.
Mir Castle is situated 30km from Nesvizh Palace that gives an opportunity to visit two UNESCO Cultural heritage sites in one go.
Nesvizh which is sometimes called Eastern Paris is the ancestral nest for one of the richest and most influential noble families - the Radziwills. You will visit the first Baroque monument in Eastern Europe- Cathedral of Divine Body which is beautifully adorned with frescos. This cathedral is unique because it is also one of the biggest shrines in Europe where members of the Radziwills are buried since the 17th century – 78 coffins.
You will see another monument of baroque architecture – Slutsk gate. It was used as one of the entrances into the town surrounded by fortification wall. The Town Hall in Niesvizh is the best saved 16th century Town Hall in all Belarus surrounded by old shopping arcades.
The Palace will introduce you to the history of the family, the life of its owners. You will also have the opportunity to stroll along the alleys of the old Park. You will hear many legends surrounding the Radziwill family.
You will be amazed from the first step in the yard and no wonder as even the stables of the Radziwills were in red carpets and flavoured by French perfume. Find some time to walk around the big park around the palace to enjoy plants diversity, greenery, and freshness of the lakes.
MUSEUM OF ANCIENT CRAFTS AND TECHNOLOGIES “DUDUTKI”
Dudutki is the reconstruction of the 19th century estate where the household traditions and crafts of our ancestors are revived.
Today Dudutki comprises several complexes - workshops of craftsmen, stables and an animal park, a garage with retro cars, the only operating windmill in Belarus, the wooden church of John the Prophet.
This is an interactive museum where you can not only get acquainted with the mastership of a potter, blacksmith, weaver and others but also sink into the role yourself by becoming an apprentice.
You can try the national drink, bread, cheese and butter produced on the territory of the museum! You will be able to visit a unique church, a zoo and have a ride in a paddock. While visiting the windmill you will know how to wish in the right way as the dreams come true there.
IN THE LAND OF GIANTS
BELAZ is the producer of mining dump trucks of heavy duty and large-size capacity that has built a reputation allover exporting its products to all the continents and representing one third of all trucks in the world. The company has become a brand name in the mining equipment owing to the cutting edge design solutions as well as high quality and operational reliability.
This is the machinery of the height of a 3-storey building, the radius of the wheels is greater than the average height of a man, the trucks are operating from -50 to +50°C and the power of the largest BELAZ with 450 ton load capacity is the whole herd of 4600 horsepower.
Visit the factory itself, the museum of fame and finish the tour with delicious surprise from the workers.
Today it is possible not only to see the production process of this beast which is the result of modernisation and innovation underlining unlimited human capabilities but one can even enjoy a drive on a dump truck. Driving a dump truck can be organized in advance based on the request.
STALIN LINE OPEN MUSEUM
The Stalin Line is the chain of defensive installations along the former USSR frontier from Karelian Isthmus to the shores of the Black Sea. Four fortified regions were situated on the territory of Belarus including Minsk fortified region.
The historical and cultural complex was founded for the 60th anniversary of the Victory of Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War. It was open in memory of Minsk defenders on the 30th of June 2005.
You will see pillboxes, semicaponiers, entrenchments, anti-tank ditches, war-time cars and aircrafts that carry the history of those days. One can even ride on a tank, fire guns and rifles or become a passenger on a helicopter. Riding on a tank can be arranged. A ride on a tank is included in price for a group of 10 and 18 people.
This is the place where history comes to life showing the examples of technological development, herald of progress and giving a thought-provoking look at a world torn in a conflict at the same time.
MUSEUM OF FOLK ARCHITECTURE AND RURAL LIFESTYLE "STROCHITSY"
The open-air museum “Strochitsy” is the first Belarusian skansen. It represents the peculiarities of architecture and lifestyle depending on the region of Belarus. The fact that all the objects are authentic and were carefully transported to the exposition in the natural surroundings adds value. The houses of different social strata of the end of 18th century, a windmill, a tavern, a school, a barn with total of 40 objects on display recreate a real village where you can get the feeling how people lived back then.
You can freely emerge yourself in the history by entering the houses and getting acquainted with how the household items were to be used. A number of traditional festivals are held in the museum throughout the year while an interactive excursion booked in advance is available.
THE HERO CITY OF BREST
Brest is situated right on the border with Poland and has always been the border town. That is why nowadays Brest is a great combination of old times, soviet pe-riod and modern cozy town.
Usually the first stop of any visit to Brest is visiting Brest fortress. It was awarded with the title “Hero” for its valiant action in the first days of occupation in 1941. There are two great dramatic sculptures, the ceremony square, several military museums and the eternal spirit of the heroism. You will be impressed by the per-sonal stories that you will hear from the guides. There is an archeological museum “Berestye” on the territory of the fortress where you can see the 13th century Brest.
You will feel that Brest is s unique city where you can meet real lamplighter who comes every evening to light up the old oil lamps…time to make a wish.
In just 60 km distance from Brest there is a unique national reserve and the big-gest forest in Europe- Belovezhskaya Pushcha, with the biggest population of bizons and many other animals and birds. You can see them in the museum or in the open-air cages while walking. Meet Belarusian Santa Claus and fairy tales.
But what is more important-come into the real forest, get lost among centuries old pines and oaks, see famous Belarusian marshes and lakes and feel the fresh air and oxygen filling your lungs.
Make a deep breath - you are in Brest. You may even not notice how a day trip will expand to a week or more.
THE MIRACULOUS BELOVEZHSKAYA PUSHCHA
Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a primeval forest dating back to 983 and included in UNESCO Cultural Heritage list.
It has always been a place for the royals to savour. During the Russian Empire Alexander III enacted a decree on transferring Belovezhskaya Pushcza into the ownership of the imperial family and for the accommodation of high rank hunters.
Later Belovezhskaya Pushcza became the hunting residence for the Soviet Leaders who were staying in Viskuli but the world community learnt about this place in December 1991 as it was there where the leaders of Belarus, Russian and Ukraine were summoned to dissolve the Soviet Union.
Belovezhskaya Pushcza was declared a National Park already in 1939.
The Park boasts a treasure trove of flora and fauna with almost 900 species of trees and flowers as well as exceptional richness of wildlife with more than 250 animals and birds. No wonder that it became a beloved place for imperial and royal hunting. Belovezhskaya Pushcha is home to the biggest population of bisons in the whole world which made this majestic animal a symbol of our county. You can see the animals in real life in the enclosures.
One can rent a bike and enjoy the surroundings at his own pace, it is possible to hunt and fish or just stay in the hotel to enjoy the tranquility of the place and try the traditional food in the restaurant. As in every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
The biodiversity of the region is represented in the museum of Nature. The impression is deepened by the sounds of forest, rain, bird tweet and animal roaring.