Belarus is a vast steppe straddling the shortest route between Moscow and the Polish border. Wide stretches of unbroken birch groves, vast forested marshlands and wooden villages amid rolling green and black fields give it a haunting beauty.

General Information

Name of the country : Repubric of Belarus

Area Total : 207.600 kmq Population: 11.400.000 people

Capital: Minsk (about 2.000.000 people)

Ethnicy/race: Belorussian 81.2%,Russian 11.4%,Polish 3.9%,Ukrainian 2.4%,other 1.1% (1999)

Official languages: Belorussian (White Russian), Russian, other

Religion: Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.)

Borders: with Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine

Visa support :The procedure of granting visa to Belarus has been recently simplified for citizens of European Union and a number of other countries. If you are citizen of the country where invitation from a Belarussian body is required for visa application, you can take advantage of Visa Support Service provided by Agency "La Perla" that enable you to get a tourist visa to Belarus for period up to 30 days. Upon your request Agency "La Perla" will issue an invitation called visa support letter. Then there are two options of obtaining visa for you: in Belarussian Mission in the country of your residence or in the Consular department of national airport "Minsk-2" in Belarus (with compulsary condition to arrive by plane at this airport). In the first case original of visa support letter will be posted to you in 4 days after receipt of your payment (copy will be forwarded via email). If you wish to get your visa at the airport in Minsk, then we will submit visa support letter there before your arrival.

Climate: Moderate continental, with mild and humid winter and warm summer

Nature: The relief is mainly flat and hilly, the highest point is only 345 m above the sea level. There are more than 20,000 rivers and brooks and about 11,000 lakes. 6,1% of the country is treated as specially protected natural territories.

Time Zone: GMT/UTC + 2 hours

Electricity: 220V 50HzHz

Minsk

Minsk is the capital of the Republic of Belarus, the center of Minsk region. The history of Minsk is astonishing and full of paradoxec. The city is firstly mentioned in manuscripts in connection with the battle on the Nemiga river, which took place on March 3,1067. So the first news about the existence of the city is connected with disastrous events in its life. As for its original name - Mensk (the current name "Minsk" was acquired only in late XVII century as a result of transferring the lands under the power of Rzeczpospolita), there are two versions of its origin. The first one originates it from the word "menyat" (to change), which allows to make a conclusion about intensive trade activities here since ancient times. The second variant takes us to the world of legends, in which the kind giant Menesk crushes and grinds huge boulders so that the noise should scare evil people off. In any case the first mentioning of Mensk in connection with the bloody events seems to have left an imprint on its further life, which became a row of fierce battles, destructions, raids and revivals from ruins and ash. In the year 1084 Minsk was plundered and burned down by the Prince of Kiev Vladimir Monomakh.
The year 1241 - Minsk has hardly escaped the consequences of the Tatars' raid, which were beaten in its environs. The year 1505 - attack on the city by the Crimean Khan Makhmet-Girey. Early XVII century - the Northern war, early XVIII century - invasion of Napoleon's troops. In the history of Minsk it is difficult to find even 100 years, that were lived by the city peacefully and without shocks, the most horrible of which was WWII. When on July 3,1944 the Soviet troops entered the liberated Minsk, the city was just a pile of smoking wreckage - 80% of the buildings were ruined, only forty five thousand people out of 270,000 citizens of the capital survived. The view was really terrible, and for some time the government has been even considering restoration of the city inexpedient suggesting to transfer the capital to a new place. Fortunately, such extreme measures didn't come true and, thanks to that, today you can get to know this city of hard and interesting fate.
Today Minsk is distinguished by its straight arrow-like wide avenues, freely-spread parks, comfortable labyrinths of streets and friendly people. The guests of the capital say that Minsk is one of the cleanest and most green cities of Europe, and that's really true. Certainly, the destructive history has left its imprint on its face and other European cities can offer a traveler a considerably greater choice of ancient and architectural monuments. However, a curious mind will undoubtedly appreciate the bright originality of Minsk- perhaps, it's the only city in the world with a one-thousand-year history, completely destroyed as a result of a war and restored due to the enthusiasm of architects and citizens within several decades. Quite unique is the planning of the city with its main road - Skorina avenue (more than 11 km long), which crosses four central squares (Oktyabrskaya, Victory, Kolas and Kalinin squares). The design of Skorina avenue is a marvelous example of the XX century Soviet architecture, of the so-called "Stalinist" construction style,
The buildings decorated with arcs, columns and stucco moulding, look extremely solemn and remind the grandeur of the Ancient Rome, and the avenue width underlines the magnificent panorama. Modern planning of the city and its original architecture are the quintessence of the XX century: from the modest house of the I Congress of the Russian social-democratic worker's party - the leader of the great revolution, that had shaken the world, to the grandiose edifice of the Republic Palace, that has been under construction for 15 years and now surprises the guests with its gloomy colossal size. Not many real ancient monuments have remained in Minsk, that's why even brighter shine these pearls embedded in the contemporary city scenery - architecturally various Orthodox and Catholic churches, the oldest one of which is a small St. Peter and Paul church dated by 1613; dwelling houses of the XVIII-XIX centuries, representing various styles from classicism to eclectics and neo-baroque.
One of the most interesting quarters in Minsk is the so-called "Upper town", ascending from the banks of the river Svisloch to the Freedom Square. Two main churches of two main confessions in Belarus are situated here - the Orthodox Saint Spirit Cathedral and the Catholic Saint Virgin Mary Cathedral. Medieval spirit hovers in these small streets, which is promoted by the houses in baroque and eclectics styles, and the building of Masons' House, which is surrounded withlegends even nowadays.
The Rakov suburb is of not less interest: here there is the Minsk castle area - the oldest part of the city. Excavations here resulted in finding marks and signs dated back to the XI century - the remnants of several treets and buildings. The Troitskoye suburb is, perhaps, the most well-known part of the city. Frankly if can not be called really historical - this is just a reconstruction of the XIX century buildings, but it is performed with such fantasy and love that no one can resist its fascination! Red tiled roofs, fairy-tale small houses, mysteriously tangled cobbled streets and comfortable yards - all this, mixed up with lots of pleasant cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops attract the citizens of Minsk and its guests to "Troyka", as people use to call this place with sympathy. And still Minsk, as any other city, is just streets, bridges and buildings, no matter how old or modern they are. The fascination of Minsk is in its special aura, which is noticed by all people coming here. Tranquility, tolerance and goodwill - these are the distinctive features of its people, transferred to their city. Guests, who come here for the first time, usually notice that they feel here as comfortably as at home. Walk slowly along wide streets, sit for a while in shady parks, plunge in the noisy fuss of markets and try to dream sitting at stone-framed Svisloch banks. Welcome to Minsk - the city, where no one feells an alien!

 

Khatyn

You will not find this small Belorussian village on any of the most detailed geographic map today. It was destroyed by fascists in spring 1943.
Khatyn, a former village in Logoisk region of Minsk area in Belarus, has become a symbol of the tragedy of the Belorussian people, a mournful page in the history of the Great Patriotic War.
The memorial complex which embodies the idea of courage and rebelliousness of the people who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the victory was constructed at the place of the destroyed village of Khatyn in 1969. It commemorates every fourth citizen (or 2 230 000 Belorussians) who perished in the war. Veb site

 

Brest

Brest  is the center of Brest region, situated on the right bank of the Western Bug where the Muchaviec river flows into it. It is located in the very west of Belarus. The first description of it in the chronicles-Apovest minulych hadou (Tale of the Bygone Years) - was in 1019. In 1319 Brest was included into the Great Duchy of Lithuania (the GDL). In 1390 the town gained its self-government. Very often it was a battlefield of various wars. In 1840s Brest was totally ruined and on its ruins Russians erected the Brest Fortress.

Brest region The Brest region located in the south-western part of the Republic, it has borders with Poland and the Ukraine. The center of the region is the city of Brest (population: 300,000 people).
The whole southern part of the region is occupied by a unique natural and ethno-cultural territory - Belarusian Polesie. The main waterway of the region, river Prypiat with its multiple tributaries flows here. With the aim to preserve natural peculiarities of the territory 12 reserves and 29 protected monuments of nature were set up in the region..

But, of course, the special pride of this land is the State National Park "Belovezhskaya Pushcha" (Belavezha forest reserve), a unique woodland in the north-western part of the region. The total territory of the park in theregion is 87.6 thousand hectares, above 900 types of plants grow here and about 60 types of animals live here, including the symbol of Belarus - the Belavezha bison. It's right here, in the village of Viskouly, the leaders of Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine signed the famous "Belavezha agreement", which stipulated the final disintegration of the USSR. Today the place of the "death" of the previously formidable empire is quite popular among tourists. In the village of Kamieniuky (Kamenets district) there is a museum of Belovezhskaya pushcha. Don't miss the opportunity to visit one of the national symbols of Belarus - the famous Kamenets pillar, more known under the name of Belaya vezha (White tower). This tower, built in the XIII century, impresses greatly with the power and elegance of its lines even today. Tourists can stay at several hotels.
The Brest land is rich with historical and cultural monuments. About 120 ancient parks and estates, 2084 monuments of history and architecture are situated here. Among the most ancient ones is the archaeological complex "Berestye", which includes buildings of the XI-Xllc.c.
The most precious historical and architectural monuments include the catholic church in the original style of "Belarusian Gothic" in the village of Ishkold of the Baranovichy district and the catholic church in the style of Renaissance in Chernovchitsy village of the Brest district, the monastery of the Cartesian Order in Bereza, St. George church in Sinkevichy village of the Luninets district. Despite of its semi-ruined condition, the remains of the Sapegas' palace in Ruzhany (XVII-XVIII c.c.) make an unforgettable impression - columns of the proud fasade look imposingly, elegant galleries "embrace" the palace.
Brest is the traditional "western gate" of the country, a city with glorious centuries-old history and very interesting present. The first mentioning of it is dated by 1019. In 1390 it was the first city in Belarus that obtained selfgovernment on the basis of the Magdeburg Law. The historical Union, which reconciled and united catholic and orthodox confessions in Belarus, was concluded here in 1596. Again here in 1917 Lenin's government con cluded the "Brest-Litovsk Peace Treaty" with Germany during WWI. In WWII the city became famous for the unparalleled feat of the defenders of the Brest fortress, which later received the title "Hero-fortress". The feat of the Soviet soldiers, who were the first to accept the treacherous blow of the fascist Germany in the summer of 1941 and held defense - almost incredible under those conditions! - so as to give the whole vast country time to gather strength, - this feat is really legendary and deserves eternal memory. Look at the red walls of the fortress, riddled with machine-gun fire - for 60 years now they have been reminding about the heroes.
Well, and the contemporary Brest is, first of all, a border city, ebullient and energetic one. The opening of a free economic zone here for the period of 50 years promoted considerable reanimation of business activities.

Grodno

Grodno is the center of Grodno region lying on the Nioman river. It was a big economical and cultural center from the 10th till the 18 centuries. It appeared at the end of the 10th century but 1128 is considered to be the official date of its foundation. In the 12th century in Grodno there was its own architectural school (Barysahlebskaja Church of the 12th century is still remaining). Since 1240s it was a part of GDL. More than once the town protected itself from crusaders. In 1391 it got a partial self-government and in 1496-an absolute one. In 1765-84 on A. Tyzienhauz's initiative a great renovation of the town was held because of royal manufactories springing up all over the country. In 1795 Grodno was annexed to Russia. Nowadays Grodno is very rich in architectural monuments.

Grodno region
The Grodno region is in the northwest of Belarus and has borders with Poland and Lithuania. The center of the region is the city of Grodno with the 309,000 people. The greatest wealth of the Grodno region is its magnificent tracts of forests that occupy more than the third of its territory. In the southwest of the region located the famous Belavezha forest reserve - the National park, included in the UNESCO Heritage List (see details in section "Nature"). The history of the region, marked by opposition and further peaceful co-existence of the Baltic and Slavonic nationalities, left its traces on the territory. Novogrudok was the place, where Belarusian statehood originated and other cities of the region were the first to receive self-government according to the Magdeburg Law. A most famous place in the region is the above-mentioned Mir Castle, which received quite a "habitable" look after restoration. "The Red Castle" is the place of real pilgrimage of tourists, though there is another very interesting monument there - the ruins of the Novogrudok Castle (XIV-XVI c.c.), the gray stones of which remind us ? previously formidable fortifications, towers and a palace. The Grodno region has also examples of unique architecture - military churches. In the XV-XVI c.c. lots of Orthodox churches had to be also castles - for better defense from enemy attacks and that is reflected in their structures, which have a look of fortified castles with towers. The fortress - churches can be seen in Zeiveny (late XV c.) and Shchuchyn (XVI c.) districts. In Smorgon it would be interesting to visit a Calvinian cathedral of the XVI century.
The fortress of Grodno, built at the Neman river shores in the XI century, has turned now into a modern city, in which, fortunately, there have been preserved more monuments ?f architecture than in any other city of Belarus. The Government declared the historical center of Grodno special architectural zone under the State protection. Have a walk or Grodno pavements and you will feel its charm. Climb to the Castle Hill and watch the Old and New castles. The principal Catholic church at the Sovietskaya square has long ago become the center of the city - the grandeur of the interior in this church, built in the XVI century, is particularly impressive The earliest of the preserved churches is the Kolozhskaya one (XII c.). Franciscan (XVII c. and Bernardines (XVI c.) catholic churches are worth attention, too.

 

Niasvizh

It is the administrative center of the Niasviz District (rajon) of Minsk Province and location of a UNESCO World Heritage Site entitled Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Niasvizh.

Niasvizh was first documented in 1223. In the 15th century, while still a minor town, it passed to the great Radziwill princely family. Since then and until 1939, the foremost branch of that illustrious family developed Niasvizh as its family nest. In 1562, shortly before Grand Duchy of Lithuania joined the Kingdom of Poland in personal union to create Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the first book in Belarusian language was allegedly printed there (no Belorussian language in conventional sense existed at that time).

The Corpus Christi Church (1587-93) was one of the earliest (if not the earliest) Jesuit church in the world and the first baroque structure in Poland. Its Italianate design exerted immense influence on architecture of Belarus, Poland and Lithuania.

 

Polatsk

Arisen on a trading way "from variag to Greeks", Polotsk for the first time mentions in the ancient annals "the Story of time years". In X-XII cc. the capital of the Polotsk princedom was Polotsk; the Scandinavian sagas narrate about the Polotsk teams gone under walls Tsargrad; "Word about shelf Igor" glorify courage of townsmen and wisdom of prince Vseslav.

During a sightseeing tour you'll visit the Sofia Cathedral which like a white bird has risen on a high coast of Zapadnaya Dvina already in XI c, will visit a museum, and it is possible, will hear a concert organ's music. We'll visit to Spaso-Euphrasinia church laid down in 1120: it amaze with the architectural forms and a miracle the escaped frescos of XII c. Ephrasinia Polotskaya's power - Heavenly patroness of Belarus are based in the cathedral. You will get acquainted with a history of publishing in the Museum of the Belarussian publishing, that in a building of brotherly school at former man's at a monastery: here in XVIII c the poet and playwright Symon Polotsky taught. The defensive earthen shaft reminds about Livonian war, "the Red bridge" - about events 1812. In the centre of the city is the monument of the first printer Frantsysk Skaryna, native of Polotsk. There are 97 monuments of archeology, histories and cultures under protection of the state is situated in Polotsk. You can get acquainted on the excursion with the most interesting of them.

 

Vitebsk

Vitebsk is the center of Vitebsk region, situated 300 km northeast of Minsk. First settlements on the territory of the town go back to the Stone Age. At the end of the 10th century Vitebsk became a town as a result of the joining together of separate settlements. 974 A.D. is considered to be the year of its foundation. It got its name after the river Vitba. The town was a part of the Polacak Duchy and from 1101 on was the center of an individual Duchy. Since 1265 it was a vassal of the GDL (later included into it). In 1444 it gained its self-government and became a big commercial center. Since 1772 it was a part of Russia (after the divisions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth). The architectural monuments are the Church of Annunciation (12th century), Town Hall (16-18 centuries), Basilian monastery etc.

Vitebsk region The Vitebsk region is situated In the north-eastern part of Belarus, has borders with Lithuania, Latvia and Russia and occupies almost one fifth of the country is territory. The center of the region is the city of Vitebsk with 367,000 people. The Vitebsk land is a real kingdom of lakes: the main part of the Belarusian Lakeland and 11 out of 19 major lakes in Belarus are here. Such unique natural characteristics make this land inexplicitly charming - the beauty of these places is known far beyond the country's boundaries. A most precious "pearl" of the Vitebsk region is, undoubtedly, the complex of Braslav lakes - 50 water bodies of the total area of 130 sq. km with rare types of plants and animals preserved in the natural environment. The land has really immense tourist opportunities (for details see section "Nature and tourist opportunities"). The oldest town in Belarus, Polotsk, is also in the Vitebsk region. It would be very interesting to visit the Kuteinsky monastery in Orsha and the Trinity catholic church in Glubokoye.
Vitebsk is the second cultural capital after Minsk, the place of the popular "Slavyansky bazaar" - an international song festival, which takes place annually in late July - early August. Interesting sights in Vitebsk are also the ancient town hall and the monument commemorating the defeat of the Napoleon's army. Vitebsk is the birthplace of many well-known people and, perhaps, the most famous of them is the "brilliant dreamer" - Mark Shagal. He called the city "my second Paris" and sketches of Vitebsk of the early XX century are reflected in many pictures of the great master of unreal painting.