Belarus

Travel Guide > Europe > Belarus

Introduction
Brief History
Geography
Regions
Cities
Sights and Activities
- Mirsky Castle Complex
- Niasviž Castle
- Forests and Lakes
- Other Sights and Activities
Events and Festivals
Weather
Getting There
- By Plane
- By Train
- By Car
- By Bus
- By Boat
Getting Around
- By Plane
- By Train
- By Car
- By Bus
- By Boat
Red Tape
Money
Work
Study
Language
Eat
Sleep
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Health
Safety
Keep Connected
- Internet
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Quick Facts

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Local name: Byelarus'
Capital: Minsk
Government: Republic
Nationality: Belarusian
Population: 9 690 000^[1]
Languages: Belarusian, Russian
Religions: Christianity (Eastern Orthodox)
Currency: Belarusian Rouble (BYR)
Calling Code: +375
Time Zone: EET (UTC+2)
Summer (DST): EEST (UTC+3)

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Introduction

Minsk

One of the eastern European nations to emerge from the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early nineties, Belarus is a fascinating excursion into 20th century history. A Soviet state, it was invaded by the Nazis in 1941, treated brutally by Germany in the subsequent occupation, and eventually returned to Soviet control in 1944. But the damage had been done; a quarter of the country's population was dead by the time the Red Army took over.

Sixty years later, Belarus enters a new phase of its life, as it seeks to join the club of capitalism. But the remnants of WWII and the Soviet occupation remind visitors and Belarusians alike of the country's torturous past.

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Brief History

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Geography

Belarus shares international borders with Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Latvia and Lithuania.

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Regions

Belarus is divided into 6 provinces (Voblasts).

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Cities

Minsk
Grodno
Brest
Gomel
Vitebsk
Mogilev

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Sights and Activities

Mirsky Castle Complex

Mirsky Castle Complex (Мірскі замак) is an amazing sight located just outside of Mir or a day trip from Minsk]. Construction of the castle was begun in the 15th century with a Gothic architecture style. Around 1568 the castle got a new Lithuanian Duke as owner who decided to finish the castle in a renaissance style. It was abandoned for about a century then it was restored in the 19th century. When the Nazi's took it over they turned the castle into a Jewish Ghetto. Today it is a very popular tourist sight and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Niasviž Castle

Niasviž Castle was the estate of several very wealthy families from 1533 to 1939 outside of Niasviž. In 1939 the Soviets expelled the Radvila family and turned it into a sanatorium and stopped maintaining the grounds. Today the castle is undergoing extensive repairs, although sadly in 2002 the upper story of the palace was destroyed by a fire. The Niasviž Castle castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Forests and Lakes

For the nature lover that does not like to climb mountains, Belarus is the ideal country. 34% of the country is covered by forests that are the habitats to several different wild animals and plants. Also there is over 11,000 lakes to explore and swim in. Remember to be careful in the wilderness in the south eastern part of the country because 70% radiation from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine settled in Belarus .

Other Sights and Activities

Victory Square - Located in Minsk is an excellent public square with several public structures and monuments.
National Library of Belarus - Check out this space age building in Minsk.
Cathedral of Saint Sophia - This beautiful white cathedral is in Polotsk.

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Events and Festivals

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Weather

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Getting There

By Plane

Minsk International Airport (MSQ) is Belarus' main international airport, servicing flights to and from airports throughout Europe, as well as to Tel Aviv. It is the main hub of Belavia, the national airline.

There is a second, smaller airport in Minsk (Minsk-1 Airport) and another international airport at Gomel.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

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Getting Around

By Plane

Belavia theoretically flies to and from Minsk, Brest, Homel, Hrodna, Mahileu, Mazyr and Vitsebsk.

By Train

Belarus Railways operates an extensive rail network with frequent departures to and from Minsk from most major cities and towns, as well as smaller regional places.

By Car

The quality of roads in Belarus is very average and renting a car by yourself is not recommended, although a few companies have cars at the international airports and a few other places. Also, the unreliable supply of fuel is a problem and police controls can get irritating. You need an international driving permit and thrid party insurance or you will get a fine.

By Bus

There are plenty of buses to all places in the country, but services are slow and buses are not comfortable, neither are most roads. Better to take the train if possible.