In the surroundings of the capital of Belarus you will see many rural villages and sumptuous castles: here are three attractions not to be missed near Minsk
Splendid Catholic and Orthodox churches, interesting tourist itineraries through the testimonies of the past and then enormous squares and evocative monuments. This is Minsk, the beautiful capital of Belarus. But if you have already visited the city and still don't want to leave this wonderful land in the heart ofEastern Europe, don't worry, because its surroundings offer fantastic attractions.
Getting there won't be difficult: theMinsk International Airport about forty kilometers from the center it is all in all well connected with the largest European and Italian airports, for example in Rome and Milan. From there, getting to the center of Minsk is very simple and the ideal way to visit the surrounding areas is to travel by car or train, the fastest and cheapest means of transport. In this case don't miss it Minsk Central Station: the square and the monumental entrance are a work of art.
From the beginning of 2017, then, theaccess to Belarus it's even easier: if you don't plan on staying there for more than 5 days and only for tourism, in fact, all you need is your passport. But be careful that if you intend to stay longer, the process will be longer: at the Embassy in Rome or the Consulate in Milan you will have to request a visa valid for 90 days, at the price of 60 euros, by presenting a hotel reservation and a health insurance.
The surroundings of the capital of Belarus are truly evocative, especially for those who love walking in the open air and surrounded by uncontaminated nature. The country, in fact, has no access to the sea but is rich in large lakes, often navigable, plains as far as the eye can see, rolling hills and beautiful forests. In short, ideal for trekking, mountain biking and water sports enthusiasts. The less sporty, however, need not worry, because there is no shortage of attractions, even for them.
Belarusian Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life
Half an hour from the capital, about 20 kilometers south-west, you absolutely cannot miss the Belarusian Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life. In the countryside of Stroczyca, Ozertso it hosts a beautiful open-air museum inaugurated just over 30 years ago. Divided into three main sections, “Central Belarus”, “The Lakeland” and “The Dnieper Region”, the museum reproduces for each historical and ethnographic region of Belarus the peculiarities of folk architecture, rural life, crafts and landscape.
Different types of structures, therefore, from the rural settlement to the farmhouse, passing through the typical rural village of Belarus. With small and well-kept wooden houses, the church, the gardens, the school, the mill and even a restaurant. There is absolutely everything you need to experience first-hand the history and traditions of the country's countryside. And savor it, too, since you will have the opportunity to taste typical local dishes and drinks.
Mir Castle
Continuing south-west for about eighty kilometers to the border between the Minsk and Hrodna regions, let yourself be enchanted by the marvelous complex of Mir Castle, located near the city from which it takes its name, in the Karėličy district. Unlike the more famous Pishchalauski Castle, a majestic structure right in the center of the capital of Belarus, Mir Castle can be visited and, in addition to being one of the Belarusian Unesco Heritage sites, it is one of the most interesting monuments in Eastern Europe, perhaps also due to its troubled history.
The construction of the castle took place in three stages: the works began in the fifteenth century, continued with Duke Ilinich in the early sixteenth century and definitively ended at the end of the century. During Napoleon's occupation, however, the structure suffered heavy destruction and was then abandoned until the end of the nineteenth century. Only then did the Government decide to renovate it and make it usable again.
Nesvizh Castle
About 30 kilometers south of Mir Castle, but still within the Minsk district, don't miss another fascinating UNESCO Heritage site, the Nesvizh Castle. This structure also dates back to the sixteenth century and is the residential castle of the Radziwill family, who had it completely renovated by a team of Italian architects, after it was plundered by the troops of Charles XII of Sweden in the early eighteenth century.
In the total renovation, what remained of the structure, architectural elements, fixtures and furniture was rebuilt and replaced with baroque elements, which gave it the elegant appearance of a palace, rather than a fortress. Then, in the 40s, the owners were expelled by the Red Army and with the Soviet occupation the beautiful castle became a sanatorium. Only at the end of the century was it declared a cultural asset and opened to the public.
