The Mir Castle

Mir Castle is a unique monument of Belarusian architecture of the 16th century. It was founded by Duke Ilinich near the village called Mir at the end of the 15th century. He built the castle instead of the wooden farmstead that existed there. During hundreds of years, Mir Castle was time and then destroyed and restored. In the year 2000, this construction was added to Unesco's World Heritage list. And now the castle is being successfully restored.

The original construction was in Gothic style, but as the building was subsequently reconstructed, it absorbed architectural styles of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance. For instance, in 1568, the castle passed into the hands of Dukes Radziwils. Soon afterwards the Dukes completed the building in Renaissance style.
The red-brick castle is a square-planned building with towers at the corners. The fifth tower has a drawbridge and a forged grille. Mir Castle was built as a fortress and it was adapted for armed attacks. The defensive elements give the building a certain solemnity.

One of the Castle's greatest features is its varied and ornamental construction. Each of the five towers is made in its own way. The number of embrasures and their designs vary. Pattern arrangements on the walls are also different. Yet, tower disposition at the corners, square footing and octahedral top give entirety and completeness to the construction.

It's interesting to note that despite the originality of its construction the castle in some sense outwardly resembles the 14th century red-brick convents of Poland, Moldova and Romania. This acknowledges a high level of Belarusian architects familiar with cultures of other countries.

Enjoy the nature of Belarus, this is a comprehensive tour to see and understand the cultural heritage and modern life of people living in this amazing country.

Obelisk to Hero City Minsk

Obelisk to Hero City Minsk was open on the 4th of July, 1954. This monument was erected to Soviet soldiers and partisans who died the death of a hero during World War II.

Obelisk is 38 meters and topped with the Order of Victory. The very square where it's set is called the Square of Victory (previously the Round Square). Four sides of the monument are decorated with bronze high reliefs

called patriotically "The 9th of May, 1945", "The Soviet Army in the Years of the War", "The Partisans of Belarus", "The Glory to Fallen Heros". Four bronze wreaths around the Obelisk symbolize four battle-fronts.

It's interesting to note that G.V. Zaborsky, who was the chief architect of the project, started to work on it in 1942, long before the war ended. He believed in the victory and in one interview said: "It would be desirable to

embody it in one of the majestic monuments deserving of people's great feat, on one of the most beautiful squares of home unfettered Minsk."

Troitskoye Predmestye

The first settlement on the left bank of the river Svisloch appeared in the 12-13th century. Historians suppose that the name of the place - Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity suburb)– originates from a Roman-Catholic Trinity Church that was situated there. In the 14th century the Voznesensky monastery was erected on the top of the mountain. In 1620, on its site Anton Maslyanka built a stone church. In the 15–17th century Trinity suburb, Nizhny market and Rakovskoye suburb were surrounded by

stone fortifications. Troitsloye Predmestye mostly consisted of wooden buildings, where the gentry lived. Troitskoye Predmestye is a birth place of the outstanding Belarusian poet Maxim Bogdanovich. Yanka Kupala's house was located here. In 1982-1985 the historical place was being carefully restored and now it is one of the most favorite place of the citizens and tourists.