Minsk sightseeing Minsk attractions Minsk history Minsk restaurants Minsk nightlife Minsk accommodation - Minsk hotels Minsk apartments and Minsk weather
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Minsk History Overview
It is has long been thought that Minsk's origins date back to the 8th or 9th century when migrating Slavs from the south arrived. Recent archeological findings have confirmed this. By 980 it was part of the Principality of Polatsk which also included Kiev. The earliest documentary evidence cites that it was known as Mensk in 1067.
From the 13th century Minsk was for the most part ruled by the Polish Lithuanian Empire except when for periods when it fell twice to Russia and once to Sweden. From 1793 it was governed by Russia except when it was once occupied in 1813 by France and twice in the 20th century occupied by Germany. In 16th it became the home to tradesmen dealing in animal skins glass metals and wood. Several spin offs of these trades dominate it and the Belarus economy. today.
Minsk was used by the Nazis as a Jewish Ghetto in WW2 and was rebuilt after war as a 'new city'. Its architecture is 'sour' but it is very clean. Politically it has been the Kremlin's closest ally and energy permitting will remain so.
Minsk City Guide - Business & Tourist Travel Information
The City of Minsk
This city originally known as Mensk dates back to 1067 when it was a fortress in the Russian principality of Polostk. It geographical location as a East European trading post and gateway to Asia has led to it been the centre of many battles. During WW2 it was devastated and most of the buildings in the city are less than 60 years old.
It is a very clean city and not a tourist hot spot. Minsk is a very quiet and civil city which is not famous for its nightlife but its hotels and indigenous people are friendly to visitors. Tourist Board information is not in an abundance for Minsk even though it is a capital city.
Some hoteliers are very entrepreneurial and will arrange sightseeing tours complete with english speaking guide and Transport. A two person three to four hour tour should cost around $50.
Sightseeing and Attractions In Minsk
Historically sightseeing Minsk is the home to the National Art Museum of Belarus which has many examples of Belarussian Art over the last five hundred years.
For those interested in ethnology and archeology the Ancient Belarussian Cultural Museum will be of interest, as will the Raubichi Arts and Crafts Museum which features national costumes from Belarus and neighbouring regions.
A walk around The Botanical Gardens, which is sponsored by The Belarussian Academy of Sciences has a distinctly international air about it - with trees and shrubbery from all over the world.
Attractions & Sightseeing Near To Minsk
Another place worth visiting is the nearby town of Nesvizh which apart from a 16th family century castle also is the home of a similarly dated Catholic Church which is beautifully decorated inside. Also within travelling distance is The Khatyn Memorial and Glory Mound. Until March 1943 Khatyn was a small village with about 150 residents, half of whom were children. The residents were murdered when the Nazis burnt the village to the ground. This memorial is dedicated to those villagers and the villagers of another 150 villages who suffered a similar fate.
Crime and Personal Safety and Security in Minsk
Pickpocketing and occasionally mugging can occur. Theft from hotel rooms and cars is a problem. Travelling by train especially international night sleepers exposes you to a greater risk of theft
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