Sightseeing in Belarus by car in summer. Traveling by car to Belarus: Useful tips part 1
I have nothing against "branded" Belarusian castles, beautiful places of Mir and Nesvizh. I myself visit these places several times a year. However, at some point you want something completely different from a trip to Belarus. After all, most of the year in our country it is not so hot, not as sunny as many would like. Therefore, you only need to create the atmosphere yourself. This is how our joint venture with the company Samsung in Belarus the project "Winter Natatki" and the routes that we have invented and tested on ourselves. Today I want to remember each one, help the reader organize it on their own and, of course, once again review the best pictures from the illustrator of the project Anya Redko.
Braslav "Zen" - medicine for the townspeople
Summer is coming, and we visited the Braslav lakes in winter. I wanted to see the lenses of the lakes in the snow - it didn't work out. But even in the classic Belarusian off-season with slush and dampness, this area looks mesmerizing. I would recommend this route to the townspeople in order to disconnect from civilization for a day, or better for two. There is every chance for this, if you stop by the village of Ustye, not far from Slobodka and talk to the owner of the estate "U Borisovich" Yura Zherko. You can arrange for a walk-excursion around the unusually quiet corners of our lake region. If desired and there are free places, it will be possible to settle in one of Yuri's agro-estates.
Duration: 1-2 days (it is better to go with an overnight stay, since the road from Minsk can take half a day and it will be difficult to relax, and there is air, birds, a bathhouse ...)
Kilometers: from Minsk to Ustye 260 km one way (4 hours drive)
Budget: excursion around the edge with Yura Zherko 200,000 BYR (about 10 USD) per person, accommodation in an agro-estate, subject to availability, from 200,000 to 300,000 BYR (10-15 USD) per day per person.
Welcome to nomadic peoples in Belarusian
There is Borisov near Minsk. The town itself is interesting - it is connected with Napoleonic places, the cathedral in the center of the city is unusual, at the entrance from Minsk of super-modern architecture a football arena is spread out. In general, the city combines, as they like to say, the past and the future. One Minsk travel agency not so long ago began to carry groups around Borisov - here enthusiasts set up a whole nomadic camp. Indians, shamans, Mongols, an enclosure with today's fashionable husky dogs, yurts - all this is very curious and unusual. The excursion will not be long, so you will have the opportunity to walk around the old Borisov.
Duration: 1 day
Kilometers: from Minsk to the nomad camp near Borisov in Dudinka 80 km (1.5 hours by car)
Budget: travel agency "Skarbonka Tour" offers an excursion to the "nomads" for 250,000 BYR (12.5 USD) per person in a combined group of 40 people
Exclusive site. On the roads of the Rakish smugglers
The most secret route is the site of the beginning of 2016 :) We know that today the topic of Rakov and the border between the USSR and Poland has become definitely fashionable. At first, they wanted to contact a travel agency that makes animated excursions on the theme of "crap", but they quickly abandoned this idea in favor of ... immersion in reality. We took a cool blogger who is fond of this topic, loved ones, comfortable shoes and a good SUV, did not forget the book by Sergey Pesetsky, cucumbers, sausage and chocolate on our own skin experienced a day in the life of a smuggler. Full immersion in the era!
Duration: 1 day (but what a day it was, mmm!)
Kilometers: they did not count and would not even count, because they wandered through the fields, walked from farm to farm ... 45 km from Minsk to Rakov, or about 50 minutes by car.
Budget: not limited, but it will be obligatory to buy a party in the market and in the store, so that you can have a snack on the border - you will definitely not find a cafe next to it.
Unusual Slonim. Private museum collection and walks with a local
How many unusual museums do you know in Belarus? I don’t think I’ll hear the whole list here. I will recommend one address in any way. In the city of Slonim, there is a beautiful woman, Nina Mikhailovna Anishik, who with her husband turned her personal collection into a home museum. I met her a couple of years ago and only now I had the opportunity to visit collectors. Impressions wagon! For budget travelers, the price will be a big plus - zero rubles and zero kopecks. The main thing is to make an appointment in advance. Yes, and Slonim is good, especially if you "pull out" a local resident for a walk in advance.
Duration: 1 day
Kilometers: from Minsk to Slonim 200 km one way (about 2.5 hours by car)
Unusual museums in Minsk - one exciting day
If the weather is bad, for example, you are in Minsk and do not know how to entertain yourself, we will recommend repeating our route through the unusual museums of Minsk. You will spend very little money, but at the end of the day you will have a lot of impressions and topics of conversation. The Elemento Science Museum is located in a former bomb shelter not far from the Korona shopping center. There is an oceanography center in one of the Minsk courtyards not far from the Zheleznodorozhniki recreation center. In addition to the exhibits themselves, the opportunity to independently perform the experiment or touch the artifacts, these places impress people who are very touching about their museums and their themes. In a word, we are imbued with and recommend.
Duration: 1 day
Kilometers: in the center of Minsk
Budget: for both museums, an adult needs to prepare 170,000 BYR (or 8.5 USD), children's tickets to both museums will cost 120,000 BYR (about 6 USD) per person.
The Belarusian swamp is just space!
Belarus tries to position itself in different ways. In addition to potatoes, paddy wagons, language trasyanka, rivers and lakes, we are also a country of steep swamps. It is not for nothing that the journalists have already driven the site three times to the Yelnya nature reserve in the north of Belarus. We got there also in the off-season to ride a steep swamp buggy and experience unusual feelings. They overtake you when you fry bacon on the peninsula, on the lake, which is located inside a huge swamp. And three hours earlier, you were driving through a noisy gas-polluted city ... In general, there is no time to explain, read it yourself and repeat our adventures.
Duration: 1 day
Kilometers: from Minsk to Miory about 220 km one way (3.5 hours drive, so you need to leave the capital early)
Budget: visit to the visit center of the Yelnya nature reserve 20,000 BYR (or 1 USD) per person; a ride on a swamp vehicle around the perimeter of the swamp will cost 550,000 (about 27.5 USD) for three for three hours.
These dump trucks do not fit into the head, by God! Excursion to BELAZ.
I am writing this review and I am thinking whether to help or not help the dear reader. It is not so easy to organize an excursion to BELAZ for yourself. On the site you will not find contacts of the "excursion department", it is not very easy to get through to Zhodino - you must remember that this is a state-owned plant. However, I will recommend passing this quest to everyone. After all, you will be able to see with your own eyes the record-breaking dump truck, which was included in the Guinness Book, as well as on a 130-ton truck for ten minutes to "cut" through the factory career (only with a driver, of course!). After such excursions, one takes pride in individual enterprises of the country.
Duration: 1 day
Kilometers: from Minsk to Zhodino 60 km (about 1 hour by car)
Budget: the tour will cost 70,000 BYR (about 3.5 USD) per adult and 30,000 (about 1.5 USD) per child. A ride on a dump truck with a driver will cost 750,000 BYR (about 37.5 USD) per person for 10 minutes (they said that the child can be put on their knees and no fee will be charged)
Sula - four letters not far from Minsk, but such a steep route
Few Minskers have heard of Nalibokskaya Pushcha, which is located right near Minsk. You heard? We decided to look at the local beauty from the water, having arranged a one-day river trip along the Sula River. Before that, we planned to visit the Sula History Park "for five minutes", but we hung there for a good half day. As a result, in the first half of the day we learned about the history of the region on a classy interactive excursion. The rest of the day was spent swinging the oars, going about ten kilometers along the river under the supervision of experienced instructors. A super busy day and a route ready for you.
Duration: 1 day
Kilometers: from Minsk to the history park "Royal Assembly Sula" about 65 km (about 1 hour by car), and then choose your own starting point along the river.
Budget: an art tour of the Sula history park will cost 170,000 BYR (about 8.5 USD) per person and will take about 2.5 hours of your time. Hiking professionals will organize an express rafting for 10-15 km for about 600,000 BYR (30 USD) per person.
We tested these routes on ourselves in the midst of the Belarusian off-season and enjoyed it a lot. I am sure that with the onset of warm days, the emotions received from such trips will increase by an order of magnitude.
I want to say thank you very much
To get from Moscow to Belarus, you need to get on a plane and spend a little less than an hour and a half of your time. Many people prefer to travel by their own car - they will have to go more, but at the same time you will see a lot of interesting things along the way. This article is for all types of tourists.
Belarus is a country of lakes, dense forests and beautiful medieval castles. Most of the sights are located outside Minsk - these places will be discussed. We will compile a list of the most popular corners of "Blue-eyed Belarus", visit its natural and cultural monuments, drive around this country by car in autumn and winter.
Where to go and what to see in Belarus
Belarus is a compact country, so you won't spend a lot of time exploring interesting places. In a time pressure situation, you can limit yourself to the Minsk region. Drive to Logoisk, ride on the slopes there. Visit the old estates near Minsk. Go to Dudutki - there are many interesting things.
And here is the situation in other regions of the country:
- Vitebsk region... Lake District, where you can have a good rest, renting a camping or living in a sanatorium. The region is dotted with small towns and has a very favorable environment.
- Brest region... There you will find two must-see points of the cultural program - the Brest Fortress and the Belovezhskaya Pushcha.
- Gomel region... The most interesting places concentrated in Gomel and Mozyr. It also doesn't hurt to visit Vetka - the original local history museum is located there.
- The Grodno region... This is the western region of Belarus, and therefore the most significant historical monuments- churches, medieval castles, old manors and pre-revolutionary houses. Be sure to drop in Lida during the knightly tournament there.
- Mogilev region... There is practically nothing to see here. There are several ancient buildings, temples and monasteries in Mogilev. Be sure to visit Bobruisk - the legendary city of "padonkaff", to which all persons who did not speak the "Albanian language" were "exiled".
In a time pressure situation, limit yourself to the Minsk region.
Top 5 most interesting places in Belarus
From a superficial overview of areas, let's move on to specific examples. We went over the most popular Belarusian sights, removed part of the "mainstream" and left the corners really worthy of your attention. Do not be surprised if there are little-known sights of Belarus here:
To Belarus by car - where to go
Going to Belarus in the summer, you may well go on your own car. The roads in Belarus are good, and there are problems with roadside hotels no.
Nothing prevents you from visiting Belarusian lakes and relaxing in a camping, and then going to the legendary Belovezhskaya Pushcha.
Three-day trip around Belarus - minimum program
If you are imbued with the idea of a summer trip, but do not have too much time, it is worth planning an express trip to key places in the country. A detailed acquaintance with the sights of the Republic of Belarus will force you to confine yourself to the Minsk and Vitebsk regions. However, a lot can be done in three days. So, what to see in Belarus in three days or over a weekend by car in the summer:
From Grodno go to Lida (there it is worth looking at the brewery and the Lida Castle), then to Smorgon and, finally, to Polotsk. Perhaps you will not have time to see anything else, since it is better to allocate a whole day to Polotsk.
The arrival of cold weather and Belarusian sights
With the onset of autumn, a lot changes. Lakes drop out of the list biosphere reserves and ethnocultural villages. In autumn, in Belarus, you can see this:
- Chagall House Museum... To see this memorable place, you need to go to Vitebsk, to Pokrovskaya street, 11. It was here that the famous artist lived, of whom all Belarusians are proud. Visiting the art center, you can admire the graphic works of the master. The ticket price ranges from 20-90 thousand "squirrels".
- Borisov stone... This unique artifact is located in Polotsk. In autumn, the stone looks especially harsh, reminding tourists of the frailty of life. A mysterious text and an image of a cross are carved on the boulder. You can find this "Belarusian Stonehenge" at 1 Zamkovaya Street.
- Golshany castle... The majestic ruins of the castle are located in the Grodno region (not far from the town of Golshany). Coming out of this settlement, move towards Juratik. There are ruins to the right of the road.
It is better to allocate a whole day to Polotsk.
On the eve of new year holidays it is worth thinking about visiting some specific corners of Belarus. On New Year we recommend looking at this:
With the onset of warmth, the soul asks for new travels - get on a car, train or bicycle and go to explore Belarus. Together with the guide to Belarus VETLIVA, we have compiled a list of the main reasons to take a ride around the country with a breeze - from creeks with medicinal water and eco-trails to powerful objects of military tourism, chamber museums and estates that have not lost their magnificence.
BREST REGION
1. Palace of the Puslovskys
Kosovo, Ivatsevichi district
2. Palace complex Sapieha in Ruzhany
In guidebooks, the ruins of the palace are proudly called "Belarusian Versailles", but you should not come here for gorgeous views and interiors (not so much has survived here), but rather behind the powerful energy that is inherent in such places of power. Just imagine: at the beginning of the 17th century, a castle was laid here - the chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Lev Sapega took part in this case. To live in it was not only comfortable, but also safe, three powerful defensive towers were added to the complex. In Ruzhany, important state issues were discussed, receptions of top managers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania came, and the Sapieha archive and the state treasury were also located here. After the defeat of the uprising, the Sapieha left the residence, and a weaving factory was organized in the palace. During the First World War, the ensemble burned, then they tried to restore it, but after the Second World War, this business was abandoned.
Now you can look into the museum (Urbanovicha st., 15a) and learn the whole history of the place - for this there are 4 halls and an exciting excursion.
How to get there? Your chance is a bus from Minsk or 244 km by car. In Ruzhany, look for the address of the museum - st. Urbanovich, 15a.
3. Brest Fortress
A powerful defensive structure and a large-scale museum of Soviet heroic monumentalism under open air... The fortress itself was built in the 19th century and has an impressive history. In 1596, a church union was declared here, and during the First World War, a decree on peace was signed. But the fortress became famous after the heroic events of the Second World War.
Observe the chronology: on the Volyn fortification, look into the Berestye Museum - an archaeological site where you can see the remains of a settlement and wooden buildings of the 11th-13th centuries, street pavements, even a few household items. Then move to the museum of the defenders of the Brest Fortress. The territory of the museum is simply huge - it will take three hours to get around everything and not to catch your breath. Most of all it sneaks in the V Fort - a half-abandoned fortification with armored doors, narrow loopholes, underground corridors and complete silence. Most likely, you will be the only tourist here.
How to get there? The easiest way is to go by train - € 4-10, three to four hours - and you are there. The same 350 km can be covered by bus (€ 7-9) or by your own car (M1 highway).
4. Olmanskie swamps
These bogs occupy 75% of the area of the Stolin region - the only complex of upland, transitional and lowland bogs that has survived in our natural state. Ecologists cannot get enough of: 687 species of plants, 151 species of birds (25 from the Red Book) and 26 species of mammals live here. Interestingly, in the 60s of the last century, there was an aviation training ground in Olmani, so there are still unexploded shells and bombs in the swamps.
The eco-trail, almost one and a half kilometers long, is of particular interest. It goes along Lake Bolshoye Zasominoe, on the other side of which Ukraine is already. The second route will take you to a 40-meter tower, from which it is very convenient to explore the surroundings and biodiversity. Ask the locals where the "sea of Herodotus" is here - Big and Small Zasominoe and 23 more lakes.
Pay attention, if you are a foreigner, you will have to pay 10 basic (€ 114) in advance to visit the swamps. More information about excursions -.
How to get there? The classic of the genre is a bus or minibus from Minsk to Stolin.
5. Belovezhskaya Pushcha
The Belarusian reason for pride is the largest and oldest forest in Europe, protected by UNESCO. Yes, here in wildlife bison are found. Yes, you can even hunt them (if you have enough conscience). Yes, it was here that the agreement on the collapse of the USSR was signed. Yes, it is here that the Belarusian Santa Claus lives (his residence works even in the summer - but his grandfather's suit is lightweight). Breathe in the relic air, cut it on a bicycle, feed the bison in the aviary with bread from your hand, drive me to look at the Kamenetskaya Vezha, which is more than 700 years old.
How to get there? We advise you to travel the distance Minsk - Brest by train, and then go to Kamenets by bus. For the more impatient there are direct minibuses.
6. Jesuit Collegium
Pinsk is the second in Belarus in terms of the number of preserved sights (in the first place - Grodno). The building of the collegium, built in the 17th century as a super-prestigious educational institution, is especially noteworthy. They took talented students there, regardless of their income. If you walk around the building, the view will be different: from the river it is an impregnable fortress, from the courtyard - an open book. Now in the collegium there is a nice museum of the Belarusian Polesye, where you can look at the non-smelling stuffed animals or sit on a wooden bicycle. Further down Lenin - the Franciscan monastery with the "Pinsk Madonna" and cool magnets, the Butrimovich palace (now the registry office), the Horde's house and the campus of Polesie University. The embankment in Pinsk is 2.5 km long - walk with beautiful view can be long.
How to get there? It takes three hours to get there by minibus - prepare € 3 for the trip. Once every two days you can take an evening train - you sit in Minsk at 17.37, at 22.55 you are in Pinsk. Very comfortably!
7. Polesie
The largest of the European wetlands, which occupies about 30% of the map of Belarus. Terra incognita is the size of a compact country, with isolated villages and indigenous people, Poleshuk, who have their own special language. To experience all the charm of life in Polesie, you need to wait for the spring flood of Pripyat. The ideal option is to take a boat and swim in the Belarusian villages, which are flooded every spring. Choose according to your taste - from Turov to Pinsk.
How to get there? How to get to Pinsk - see above.
THE GRODNO REGION
8. Mir Castle
9. Kalozha Church
Borisoglebskaya or Kolozhskaya church appeared on a pagan heap near the Castle Hill in Grodno as early as the 11th century - this is one of the few buildings of the period of Ancient Rus in Belarus, however, notably rebuilt. The church is not plastered on the outside, and therefore you can look at all the engineering solutions of the builders of that time. The church stands on the steep bank of the Nemunas
How to get there? From any point in the country you can get to Grodno by railway - the city is connected with 142 stations in Belarus. Trains leave Minsk several times a day, electrons - even more often. Buses and minibuses are also at your disposal (€ 7).
10. Church of the Holy Trinity in Gerviaty
The highest church in Belarus - 61 meters (24-storey building!), And the only one built according to all the canons of the neo-Gothic. It was erected on the site of a wooden church of the 16th century by the architect Alshalovsky. For the construction, a brick backwater was specially organized or, in parallel, eggs were collected from all the surroundings - they were added to strengthen them in a lime solution. Slate was specially brought from Germany. Here you can find out what a flying buttane looks like - an outdoor semi-arch that distributes the load from the main wall and stands separately (remember Notre Dame de Paris) - this is completely atypical for Belarus. Be sure to listen to Mass - it is in Belarusian, Polish and Lithuanian, and take a walk in the park - it is perhaps even cooler than a church. By the way, in the vicinity too.
How to get there? The best option, of course, is to go by car. If this is not possible, drive to Ostrovets, and then hitchhike to Gervyat (via Vorniany).
A navigable canal built in the 19th century to create a route from the Black Sea to the Baltic. Steep engineering structures, thought out so cunningly, long ago, and preserved almost in their original form, there are only two - in Great Britain and Sweden. The length of the canal is 101 km, 22 of them are on the territory of Belarus in the border zone. Hi Visa Simplified! Locks, drawbridges, columns - it's amazing how well everything works. You can take a ride on the Neman motor ship, walk along the canal, go to the canal museum, go kayaking, look at the surviving estate in Svyatsk, created in the 18th century by the Italian architect Giuseppe de Sacco.
How to get there? Start from Minsk by car (direction Volozhin - Lida - Skidel, 327 km). From Grodno you can go by car or bus (Grodno - Goryachki, Grodno - Nemnovo, Grodno - Kalety, stop "Augustow Canal" or "Sonichi").
12. Slonim synagogue
Baroque synagogue from 1642, one of the oldest in the country. In a dilapidated building, a pretentious and rich interior decoration... The synagogue was badly damaged during the war of 1812, but was quickly rebuilt - the Jewish community in Slonim was then considered one of the most powerful in the country. At the end of the 19th century, 21 synagogues operated in the city, and more than 70% of the residents were Jews. In 2000, the building was returned to the believers, but restoration work was not carried out. Be sure to look at the stucco, aron ha-kadesh and murals - all of which are perfectly preserved.
How to get there? Jump into the minibus - you will finish it in two and a half hours.
13. Murovankovskaya church-fortress
The 600-year-old temple was conceived not only as a place for worship, but also as a defensive structure - in the 16th century there was nothing else. The church looks like a real castle - two-meter thick walls, loophole windows, towers. The temple in Murovanka survived many wars and was badly damaged during the Russian-Polish war. In 1882, a powerful restoration was carried out, a bell tower was made on one of the towers. A successful mix of Gothic and Renaissance, stone, brick and rose window. Brick, by the way, is special - "royal lily" - a symbol of the purity of the Mother of God. Historical facts and legends say that many underground passages- however, now it is not clear where they began and where they led.
How to get there? You can get from Minsk to Shchuchin by bus; the church itself is located 3 km from the village of Mozheikovo.
14. Novogrudok castle
Novogrudok is an ancient Belarusian city, which was the first capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The main point of attraction in the city is the ruins of a castle that stood here in the 12th century. 6 centuries after the first mention, it was destroyed by the Swedes - almost to its present state. Of all the structures, two walls remained - Kostelnaya and Shchitovaya - opposite each other. There is a wonderful view from the Castle Hill - there is no better place for a picnic. Be sure to visit the house-museum of Adam Mitskevich, who was born and lived in Novogrudok, go to the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, perfectly preserved in 1714, pay attention to the Borisoglebskaya church, which is more than 500 years old.
How to get there? The best way to get from Minsk is by minibus (€ 2) or by bus, but you shouldn't count on the railway.
15. Church of St. Michael the Archangel
The largest defense temple in Belarus. The powerful impregnable church was built in the 15th century - the towers, loopholes are not of a serious height, thick walls - this is a real small castle. The entrance gate, by the way, also deserves attention - it has been preserved since 1880. In walking distance there is a 19th century manor building, which was later turned into a distillery. By the way, there is an interesting legend about why the place is called Synkovichi. The temple was built by father and son. At some point, the son fell from the woods and crashed to death. The father in despair shouted to him: "Son, son!" This is how the name of the village surrounding the church appeared. Above the entrance to the church, you can see a ledge that resembles the lid of a coffin.
How to get there? From Minsk it is relatively easy to get to Zelva - by by bus... Further - only by car or by car.
16. Palace of the Chetvertinsky
One of the most cinematic places in the country - it is not for nothing that the first (and last) Belarusian choir called "Masakra" was filmed here. There are still cinema decorations: plywood tiles, painted traces of a fire on the facade. From Soviet times, a cinema club with a booth and star symbols remained in the palace.
17. Krevsky castle
Perhaps the most picturesque ruins from our guide. The castle in Krevo dates back to the 14th century. These walls saw a lot: in 1382, Prince Keistut, Vitovt's father was killed here, in 1385 a union was signed, in the 16th century the castle repelled the attacks of the Tatars and Muscovites, and already in the 19th century it was no longer considered as a sensible fortification and was abandoned. The ruins were mothballed in 1929 - they still stand today.
Listen to the wind blowing between the walls, go to the beautiful Alexander Nevsky church or austere church, find the former pagan temple - even now Krevo is considered a village, there are plenty of witnesses to its former greatness.
How to get there? Minsk - Smorgon - bus or train, and then on light green regional bus MAZ with curtains.
MINSK REGION
18. Nesvizh Castle
In the 16th century, Nesvizh became the ancestral home of the Radziwills, the main dynasty in the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. For example, the king of Poland often visited here, and representatives of the magnate family held the most important positions in the state. You understand the scope of the buildings - the palace and park complex occupies 90 hectares. In the Nesvizh Castle you can see the early Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassicism and Modernism. Ask me to tell you about Bonna Sforza's revenge and show you the man-sized gilded apostles.
How to get there? You can get to Nesvizh by moving from Minsk along the Brest highway. If you decide to take the bus, you can find the timetable.
19. City of the Sun in Minsk
Minsk is a witness and a victim of the imperial ambitions of the Soviet authorities. You can feel this while walking along Independence Avenue - a straight asphalt arrow that stretches 15 km and cuts the city in half. The writer Artur Klinov coined the term "City of the Sun" to denote the Stalinist Empire style in Minsk. Minsk as the main artery of the Great Communist Dream, built in the likeness of Rome. Railway station square with "gates", Lenin square, Marks, Kirov, Sverdlov streets are integral buildings of the ideal city for life in the opinion of the Soviet authorities.
How to get there? We tell in.
20. Khatyn
High-quality Soviet documentary filmmaking. was created on the site of a village that was burned down by the Nazis during World War II. All the inhabitants were herded into a barn and set on fire - and the same was done with the inhabitants of 628 villages. To prepare for your trip, be sure to check out the 1985 film "Come and See" directed by Elem Klimov. Information on tickets and opening hours of the complex.
How to get there? If you go by car, you are on the M3 highway (59 km). Public transport does not walk - if you hitchhike, you will have to walk 5 km from the road.
21. Nalibokskaya Pushcha
The largest forest area in Belarus - three times the size of Malta! Here the richest flora, a quarter of the plants are medicinal, many are included in the Red Book. With animals, too, everything is in order - for example, 29 species of rare birds live here. Pushcha is surrounded by three large rivers- Neman, Berezina and Usoy, and therefore the places here are incredibly picturesque. And not particularly accessible - like Svaneti in Georgia. For example, during the Second World War, 20 thousand people were hiding in Nalibokskaya Pushcha. Be daring or daring and take a march into the thick of the age-old forest. Be sure to look at Lake Kroman, the Lavrishevsky Monastery, founded in the 13th century, the Tyshkevichs' estate in the village of Vyaloe and swim naked in the river - here you can afford it.
How to get there? Your only chance is a car, you can get from Minsk in an hour.
22. Strochitsa Museum of Folk Architecture and Life
Peasant Belarus in miniature. An open-air museum, which presents the ancient buildings of three regions of Belarus: the Central part, Poozerie and the Dnieper region. Ethnological research will have to be carried out on the material of the church, parish school, mill, bathhouse and peasant huts. All of this is scattered in the picturesque fields - don't forget to charge your phone for a photo. For the mood, we advise you to wave crap at the inn at the entrance!
How to get there? All the details are on the website.
GOMEL REGION
23. Gomel park
You need to go to the palace and park ensemble in Gomel in the spring, when the huge park turns green and blooms, the Sozh becomes full-flowing, and the evenings are already warm enough to wander thoughtfully near the Rumyantsev-Paskevich Palace and look at the dark water. Palace ensemble- the largest piece of historical buildings in size, preserved without breaking the solidity. The Russian Empress Catherine II presented Gomel to her favorite Count Rumyantsev for fun, and he built on the bank of the Sozh. Then the palace passed to the commander Paskevich, who, by a willful decision, built a whole complex of outbuildings: a hunter's house, winter Garden, several churches. The best preserved landscape park of 24 hectares - here you can walk for half a day, if you first feed yourself with Gomel Spartak chocolate with 90% cocoa.
24. Manor of the Gerards
Nice manor house with pseudo-Russian style - in the resettlement zone. The red brick building was financed by a Russian official, Governor-General of Finland Nikolai Gerard in the second half of the 19th century. The manor stands on a hillock, crossed by a moat - a bridge plays a decorative role, a park with rare species of trees and an amazing silence are perfectly preserved. If you are looking for a place where there will definitely not be tourists, this is the place for you. By the way, you can get here completely legally.
How to get there? You can get to Radunitsa - then they let you in without a pass. The rest of the time, the pass must be issued in Dobrush. To get to Dobrush, buy tickets for the Minsk - Gomel train, and then go by train or suburban bus.
25. Museum of Old Believers
In the 17th century, the city of Vetka was chosen by the persecuted Old Believers. The pathologically tolerant Belarusians did not touch them, and therefore Old Believer icons, manuscripts and printed books of the 16th-19th centuries, collections of textiles and household items are still in excellent condition here. The museum is interactive - here, for example, you can learn traditional weaving.
How to get there? How to get to Gomel, and then take it shuttle bus- you need to cover only 22 km.
MOGILEV REGION
26. Bobruisk Fortress
This powerful fortification is planned construction in preparation for the war with Napoleon. For its construction, the city that existed here before was actually destroyed. The fortress did withstand the long siege of the French, and after the war it served as a prison. Rumor has it that in one of the forts of the Bobruisk fortress there is an egg-shaped cell in which the prisoners went crazy after a couple of weeks of imprisonment. It was not for nothing that Herzen, recalling Bobruisk, wrote: "Let it be Siberia, whatever you like, but not this terrible prison on the Berezina River." Now it's just fun to climb the fortress that has grown into the ground, for example, to visit an abandoned guardhouse, rebuilt from a Jesuit church. Now the fortress is 7 bastions, stretched over an area of several kilometers. Some are concreted, others can be climbed up and down. Bring your flashlight! The fortress was on fire several times, and therefore do not wear ceremonial pants - you can get dirty in soot. Aliens seem to have landed a couple of steps from the fortress. In fact, this is the Bobruisk ice arena for 7 thousand spectators.
How to get there? An hour and a half by train from Minsk on the trendy electric train Stadler (or 2 on the regular) - and you are already walking around colorful Bobruisk and trying to count all the references to beavers. The second option is to go by bus or private minibus.
27. Estate of the Tolstoy family
One of the most beautiful and mysterious places in the country - the count's house of the Tolstoy. And although Lev Nikolayevich never made it home, it's worth a look at the estate. A two-storey estate with domes, columns, a grand staircase and an open terrace overlooking the park awaits you. Wander through the 10-hectare park, find here the Siberian cedar, which has been growing here for more than 100 years, walk around the palace - recently there was a school and a sanatorium for sick children, and therefore the walls painted in green and the soviet wardrobe with numbers have been preserved here - strange contrast with
Travel to Belarus by car in 2019 - Review of the trip to Vitebsk from Moscow last year. If you decide to go to Belarus by car, then our small report will be useful to you.
What documents are needed for Belarus by car
The main thing that you need to take is the documents for the car, driver's license, green card and insurance. If the CTP policy ends, its cost can be calculated online and .
The cost of issuing a green card for travel to passenger car from Russia to Belarus is less than 1000 rubles. The insurance assumes a trip of 15 days, which is more than enough to visit several regions of the country.
City selection
Our trip by car to Belarus in 2019 was planned precisely in the city of Vitebsk. It is closest to the border, only 130 km from Smolensk. As a rule, it is ancient city Vitebsk is the first place from which acquaintance with Belarus begins. Known from the annals of 974, many associate Vitebsk with the Slavianski Bazaar and the name of Marc Chagall. But apart from popular places, there are many equally chic and interesting sights here. From Moscow and St. Petersburg to the regional center about 600 km., The road is of high quality and convenient.
Traveling to Belarus by car: road
You can get from Moscow to Minsk by car along the M1 “Belarus” highway. But Vitebsk is located a bit away from the highway. A trip by car to Belarus in 2019 passes through the cities of Odintsovo, Smolensk, Vyazma, Mozhaisk and Safonovo.
There is no border between Russia and Belarus as such. The only thing that travelers may encounter is the need to present their documents at the Russian customs, at the Belarusian one they almost never stop. By the way, during the entire trip, no one demanded to show a green card.
Vitebsk
If you decide to go to Belarus by car, then in Vitebsk there are 8 quite respectable hotels, as well as luxury hotels offering a huge selection of apartments. The cultural program can be compiled for every taste and budget. Of course, in historic city there are also all kinds of museums, architectural monuments and theaters, and whoever loves to relax more passively will find many restaurants and casinos for themselves. As for the latter, there is only one casino here - "Treasure Island", but there are more than 60 cafes and restaurants (there really is plenty to choose from).
Now about the culture! Everyone knows that Marc Chagall, a world-famous artist, was born in Vitebsk. There are two associated with him here. cultural sites: Art center with paintings by the artist (Putna st.); Chagall House Museum (Pokrovskaya St.). Both in the gallery and in the museum, you can not only enjoy the works of the master, but also immerse yourself completely in the atmosphere of the 19th century.
The estate-museum of I.E. Repin. There is a very special atmosphere here, because it was not in vain that Ilya Efimovich once wrote about 40 of his works exactly here. From the city to the estate about 15 km, buses of course run, but with your own car it is safer and faster.
To get into the atmosphere of both Vitebsk and Belarus as a whole is the best way possible in the regional museum of local lore in the Town Hall. Here you can get to know the history of the region better, listen to many romantic legends and simply admire the unique exhibits and expositions.
The Museum of the History of Private Collecting deserves special attention. Here you can view old watches and weapons, porcelain and other unique items collected by famous collectors and historians of Vitebsk. It is difficult not to visit the museum, since it is located near the amphitheater, where the Slavianski Bazaar takes place.
Not far from the amphitheater, literally a stone's throw away, there is a reconstructed tower of the ancient lower castle. Here, in the Dukhovsky Kruglik exhibition hall, visitors are invited to get acquainted with the full history of the Slavyansky Bazaar festival, and at the same time see photographs of old Vitebsk with its wonderful architecture.
The Vitebsk Art Museum invites you to view paintings by Pyotr Yanovich, Yehuda Pan, Felix Gumen and other masters of painting. Those who want not only to see, but also to take with them objects of artistic value, should visit the exhibition halls of Vitebsk or take part in creative workshops held at the Zadvinye Folk Crafts Center. You can buy expensive and valuable items that can successfully become the lots of the Sotheby's auction in the Stena salon-gallery (Lenin street), In the Art space on the street. Tolstoy and in the center of contemporary art (Victory Square).
Not only adults, but also children will love the Park of Winners along Kalinin Street. More than 20 pieces of equipment are collected here, against the background of which you can make not only interesting photos, but also inspect it, and even climb from all sides. In addition, there are many synagogues, churches, temples, which will not take even a week to see.
Connoisseurs of the high should visit the theater. Yakub Kolas, and the Lyalka theater.
It is also a true paradise for shoppers. You should definitely visit the shops selling real Belarusian knitwear and flax, buy Belitovskaya cosmetics, try real Berezovskaya cheeses and sausages from Myaskovit. Well, where can we go without the Spartak chocolate factory?
If you decide to travel to Belarus by car in 2019, then traveling by car is a pleasure: the roads are of high quality, there are more than enough parking spaces and parking lots. As for money, in stores you can pay by card, and in any mall you will find exchange points. There is a familiar to us "Sberbank", but the money in its ATMs are withdrawn with a commission.
Cafe and prices
In general, everything in Vitebsk is cheaper than in Moscow. For example, I will give the prices in a cafe.
Almost everywhere during the day there are business lunches, you can eat tasty and cheap food.
Orsha kvass is sold on the street, 1.5 liters costs 100 rubles.
Very tasty and inexpensive Belarusian sausage. Here it costs several times more. Took home 5 sticks of sausage, I had to buy more.
In terms of mileage, our trip by car to Belarus in 2019 covered more than 1050 km. First of all, it is worth noting that in Russia gasoline is much cheaper, but it is better not to transport it in canisters across the border - this is illegal and you can run into quite big troubles.
You shouldn't even violate the traffic rules, because there are a lot of cameras on the highway from Smolensk (we were photographed). For violation of the speed limit, for example, you can pay a huge fine and even lose your license before paying it.
Expenses
Now about the total cost of the trip to Belarus by car in 2019 from Moscow:
- Green card issuance - 800 rubles;
- Gasoline in two directions - 5000 rubles;
- Hotel room - 1500 rubles;
- Food (grocery shopping) - 3000 rubles;
- Small expenses (souvenirs, coffee in a cafe) - 500 rubles.
The trip by car to Belarus in 2019 turned out to be eventful. We managed to see Vitebsk, we did not regret that we decided to go to Belarus by car. But next time you have to go to Minsk, it should be much more interesting there.
DAY 1: MINSK
We arrived in Minsk on a rainy May morning and immediately went to the VIVA wanted to leave our things. A huge plus of the hostel is that it is within walking distance from the station, in a rather convenient place... We booked places in advance, as on May holidays everything is usually busy. At a cost - about 600 rubles per person in a four-bed room.
If you check in before 12 noon, you can leave your belongings in the luggage room.
The main disadvantage of the hostel is very little space. There is no separate kitchen, a refrigerator and a microwave oven are located right in the corridor, and you have to have breakfast at the low uncomfortable coffee tables near the entrance and reception.
The bunk beds are very low, the seat on the ground floor is not allowed, just lie down. The entire hostel has only two showers combined with toilets, so getting to the toilet in the morning is quite difficult. On the plus side, there are very good comfortable mattresses and friendly staff.
Last year I was also in Minsk, but we stayed at the Jazz hostel. In Jazz there is much more space, a spacious cozy kitchen, at a cost we got about 350 rubles. per person in a 9-bed room (it was out of season and we lived in a 9-bed room alone). But there is one significant disadvantage that overrides all the advantages - it is very far from the center. First, you need to go 20-30 minutes by tram to the terminal, then walk through the private sector for another 10-15 minutes.Leaving our things, we went for a walk around the city with Zmitser. He is just a wonderful person and an excellent guide who knows almost everything about Belarus. Zmitser (and in Russian Dima) studies at the Belarusian State University with a degree in History of Belarus, knows all the most interesting places, can answer any question about Belarus and loves his country so much that he infects those around him :-) It was he who invited me to see Belarus last year (then we went along the route Minsk-Gomel-Polotsk-Vitebsk), and I liked it so much that I wanted to return this one too. Here is a link to his page: http://by.holiday.by/gid/111
Since it was raining on the first day of our trip, Dima suggested a route that goes as far as possible indoors.
Coming out of railway station to the gates of Minsk and turning left, we ended up at the Belarusian State University at the Faculty of International Relations. Entrance to all Belarusian universities is free, and we calmly climbed to the very last floor (it seems the 12th), where wonderful panorama to Privokzalnaya Square (on the right, the railway station, on the left - the gates of Minsk):
And from below the gates of Minsk look like this:
The gate was built in 1954, on each tower there are 4 sculptures: a worker, a collective farmer, an engineer and a soldier (the sculptures were dismantled in the 70s)It is convenient to walk from the gate to main square cities - Nezalezhnosti (Independence) squares. On the square there are the Government House, the Belarusian State Pedagogical University, Lenin (and how can it be without it!), The Main Post Office, the Red Church, and underground the Stolitsa shopping center, which is very reminiscent of Okhotny Ryad in Moscow.
BSPU building:One of unusual places Minsk is the National Library of Belarus. According to the Village of Joy website, which evaluates the most amazing, interesting, fantastic and incomprehensible things in the world, the National Library in Minsk entered the TOP 50 most unusual buildings in the world and took 24th place. And according to the American magazineThe Travel + Leisure Library has made it to the list of the ugliest buildings in the world.
Books inside the library move in small locomotive boxes under the ceiling. When you come in, you can't even believe that you are in the library. Travelers need to issue a one-time pass with a passport. The building hosts many exhibitions, guided tours to observation deck... But there is nothing special to see - the building is located on the outskirts (Vostok metro station), around only gray residential areas). But exhibitions can be quite interesting. Belarus goes year of frugality, so the following posters are posted everywhere:In the evening, the library building looks rather unusual, like a large New Year's toy:
DAY 2: MINSK
It is great to walk in the center of Minsk - wherever you turn, you will find something interesting everywhere.
It is especially interesting to walk along the Troitsky suburb, the historical center of Minsk. And although all the houses here have been restored and do not give the impression of being old, the atmosphere is still somehow special, not the same as in other parts of the city:Near Trinity Suburb, you can ride a catamaran on the Svisloch River, it is inexpensive, however, there are restrictions on where you can swim and where you can't. And when we started to explore the route, it turned out that it was impossible to swim anywhere except around the Island of Tears.
Ducks chased us in the hope that we would treat them with something
And the fishermen were happy to be photographedWe got to the Easter holiday
In Minsk Orthodox churches side by side with Catholics, it seems that Catholics and Orthodox are about the same, although according to official data in Belarus 80% are Orthodox and 14% are CatholicsThe shopping center on Nemiga (Nemiga is an underground river) still retains the Soviet atmosphere, as if from childhood. But for shopping, in my opinion, Belarus is not the best place... And although it is generally believed that Belarusian things are quite high quality (this is really so), but the models are often outdated, as if from the Soviet Union, and it is quite difficult to find something really beautiful (but if you set yourself such a goal, you can) ...
