Big Minsk region Guide: top 10 places to visit

Minsk region occupies 19.1% of the Belarus' territory. The administrative center of the Minsk region is Minsk, but the city has a special status and is not part of the region. The largest cities of the Minsk region are Borisov, Soligorsk and Molodechno. As of January 1, 2020, 140,700 people lived in Borisov.

The settlement of Belarus began with the Minsk region. The oldest cities of the Minsk region appeared here. In 985, the oldest Belarusian city of Zaslavl was built. There are no buildings of that time left on the territory of modern Zaslavl. Later in 1067, Minsk appeared. In 1102, the city of Borisov was founded.

In this article we will tell you about the top 10 places in the Minsk region that reveal the culture of modern Belarus and its history. You will also learn about the most famous natural places where you can relax and do some activities.

History and culture

Hutten-Czapski Park and Estate

Address: Stankovo village

Stankovo village has been known since the end of the XV century. In 1772, Count Emeryk Hutten-Czapski came into the possession of these lands. He also owned large collections of coins, works of art, books and minerals. For these treasures, the count built a warehouse that has survived to our times and resembles a knight's castle in miniature.

The main palace of the estate has not been preserved; it was destroyed during the Second World War. Now, in addition to the count's Storage, there are various household outbuildings: a residential house for servants, a water tower and entrance gates. You can take a walk in the park along the river, where there are also small buildings.

The visit to the park and buildings is free.

The route from Minsk by train:

By Minsk—Stolbtsy train to the Stankovo station. From the railway station to the Stankovo village another 8 km on asphalt.
By Minsk (Instytut Kultury station)—Baranovichi train to the same Stankovo station.

Nesvizh

We already have a complete guide to the Nesvizh Castle. However, there are several interesting places in Nesvizh city besides the castle.

Nesvizh Town Hall is considered one of the oldest in Belarus. There are also guided tours. You can also visit the Slutsk Gates. Entrance is paid in both places. On the website you can find the prices and book a tour.

In Nesvizh, you can also visit the Corpus Christi Church. It is an early Jesuit church and one of the oldest baroque structures outside Italy, which is included in the UNESCO list. The church was completed in 1593 and became the ancestral tomb of the Radziwills, who owned the Nesvizh Castle.

The route to Nesvizh: the bus from the Central bus station in Minsk to Nesvizh city.

Gorodishche settlement

Address: Minsk district, Gorodishche village

An ancient settlement is located 10 kilometers west of modern Minsk, on the banks of the Menka River at the confluence of the Danube River. Excavations have shown that the first human settlement appeared in this place 2.000 years ago. According to one of the assumptions of scientists, these people have founded Minsk. The Gorodishche settlement is a man-made earthen rampart.

In Gorodishche village, there is an Old Mensk Museum. There are not only unique exhibits found in the immediate vicinity, but also a wooden model of the old settlement itself. Tickets cost from BYN5, also guided tours are available. Check the museum's opening hours on the website.

You can get to Gorodishche from Minsk by minibus No.1277 (from Pyatrowshchyna metro station to Gorodishche station).

Museum of Rural Architecture and Life

Address: Minsk district, Ozertso village

Opening hours: Wed-Sun from 11am to 7pm

Tickets from BYN8.

This is an open-air ethnographic museum, which is a village of architectural monuments of the XVII-XX centuries. Here you can see the lifestyle of several ethnographic regions of Belarus. The museum includes 40 objects: a church, a parish school, a windmill and a barn, a tavern, a blacksmith shop, a bathhouse, peasant huts and many others.

The route from Minsk to the museum in Ozertso:

By car to Ozertso village, GPS: 53.832954, 27.374128
By bus No.170E from the Malinovka metro station to the Turn to the Museum Stop.

Borisov Arena

Address: Borisov city, Gagarina Street 119

Opening hours: Mon-Sun from 10am to 12am

Borisov is one of the most ancient cities in Belarus. It's first mention dates back to 1102. Now it is a city of factories and manufacturing. Borisov is famous for its main attraction, Borisov Arena.

The Borisov Arena opened in 2014. This is the most modern, multifunctional football stadium in Belarus, which is the home arena of the BATE football club. The total capacity of the stadium is 13,121 people. There are places with food, a football fan store, a children's play center and a gym.

There are also guided tours. You will visit the players' locker room, sit on the coach's bench, look into the VIP box and other interesting places. And also learn the history of the stadium. You can book a tour by phone 8017 7709966.

You can get from Minsk to Borisov by Minsk (Instytut Kultury station)—Borisov train.

Nature

Blue Lakes Park

Address: Golubye Ozera Narochansky Park

Blue Lakes are a group of lakes on the territory of the Narochansky Park. In total, the system includes 15 lakes formed because of the melting of the glacier 10 thousand years ago.

The largest eco-trail of Belarus, 11 km long, runs around the lakes. The starting point of the route is indicated here. You can also book a bike or walking tour. For this you need to write in the Instagram of the park. There are 2 equipped campsites Melnitsa and Bolduc.

Lake Glubelka stands out among all the lakes. Due to the increased mineralization, its water has a turquoise hue. The lake is surrounded by pine forests and high hills, there are beaches and places to relax. This lake is also called the lake of love, because from above it resembles a heart with an island in the center. The coordinates of the observation point are 54.96571413054837, 26.38465835449018.

To see the Blue Lakes, you can stay at the hotel near the largest lake Naroch at the address: Naroch village, Leninskaya Street 11. You can get from Minsk to Narochansky Park by buses of several carriers.

Zaslavsky reservoir

Address: Zaslavsky reservoir, beach No.1

The Zaslavsky reservoir is called the Minsk Sea. This is the second largest artificial reservoir in Belarus, formed in 1956, with a coastline length of about 55 km. The maximum depth of the reservoir reaches 8 meters.

This is one of the most popular places for recreation among residents of Minsk and nearby cities. There are about 10 equipped beaches, there is a yacht club where you can do water sports.

In addition to cafes and water sports clubs on the shore of the reservoir there are hotels: Robinson Club and Reviera Country Club Hotel. There are also health resorts: Yunost Sanatorium and Praleski Sanatorium.

Route from Minsk to the beach No.1: by Minsk—Molodechno train (Minskoye More station).

Naliboki forest

Address:Naliboki village, Naliboki forest

Naliboki forest is located 65 km from Minsk. This is one of the largest nature reserves in Belarus, it covers an area of 86,892 hectares. There are 917 species of plants registered here. Animals listed in the Red Book of Belarus and in the Red Book of Europe inhabit the forest.

Several cycling routes have been developed here. You can rent a bicycle and a route map in the capercaillie breeding ground, where rangers are on duty around the clock. Coordinates of the breeding place are 53.975530, 26.352417. There is also a parking area for cars.

In Naliboki forest lies an ecological trail a little more than 1 kilometer. The path runs along the Isloch River to show the maximum possible number of species. Coordinates of the trail starting point are 54.026889, 26.523384. Hunting tourism is also developed on the territory of the entire forest.

It is easier to get to Naliboki by car. If you travel by transport, then the Minsk—Kletishche bus runs from the Central Station of Minsk. From the Naliboki stop to the forest can be reached on foot.

Active recreation

Raubichi

Address: Ostroshitskii Gorodok, Pereulok Trudovoy 1

The Raubichi Sports Complex is one of the most popular places in Belarus for winter sports. It is located 20 km from Minsk on the shore of the Dubrovsky reservoir. The complex has everything necessary for training biathletes, as well as for family and outdoor activities. Here you can do skiing, tubing and ice skating. There are also places for summer recreation: football, basketball and volleyball fields. In the warmer months, you can rent a bike here. There are several accommodation options on the territory with baths and saunas.

From Minsk to Raubichi you can get by bus No.1202.

Equestrian Sports Center in Ratomka

Address: Ratomka village, Koritskogo Street 136

In the Center of Olympic training of equestrian sports and horse breeding they teach equestrian sports and train specialists in related fields. International competitions and stages of the equestrian World Cups are held here.

On the territory of the center there is a hotel, a cafe, a horse rental, a gym and a veterinary clinic. On the territory there are several stables, indoor and outdoor arenas, as well as training fields and a lake. Here you can walk on your own. You can also book a guided tour or ride horses.

To book a tour by phone 8029 8725990. Also, from Tuesday to Sunday, you can ride horses here, for this you need to make an appointment by phone 8029 8725990.

From Minsk to Ratomka village you can reach by Minsk—Molodechno train (Ratomka station).

Photo: arquitecturaviva.com