Belarus

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AFGHANISTAN WAR MEMORIAL

The Soviet – Afghanistan War was fought from 1978 until defeat and withdrawal by Soviet troops in 1992. Belarus was always pro-soviet and lost many troops there. The former Soviet Union lost more than 15,000 dead and almost 40,000 wounded. This memorial is actually on a small island called the Island of Tears and is quite sombre. Couples come here on their wedding day to pay their respects and lay flowers. Actual used artillery shell casings abound on the island in and near the memorial and are used to put cash donations into.

The memorial was set up in 1988 and has a poignant Chapel at the centre. It is decorated with the faces of women grieving for their men lost on the Afghan battlefields. Also on the island is a fountain with an angel that cries tears when switched on.

Khatyn - WWII memorial

Outside the Capitol (Minsk) is a large complex called ‘Khatyn’. It is dedicated to a small village that was destroyed during WWII by the Germans, but then it become something larger to symbolize the mass killings by the Germans during their brutal occupation. 2.3 Million were killed by the Germans, or 1 out of every 4 citizens.
Among the best-recognized symbols of the complex is the statue of Yuzif Kaminsky carrying his dying son after massacre. Also a monument with three birch trees, with an eternal flame instead of a fourth tree, a tribute to the one in every four Belarusians who died in the war. The site also contains a very long concrete wall with niches to represent the victims of all the injustices during the occupation. The large niches representing concentration camps with victims of greater than 20,000 people.
At the site are these small little foundations of houses and each location has a small chimney, but is not a chimney and a bell is at the top. These bells ring out every 30 seconds to commemorate the rate at which lives were lost of Belarusian people throughout the duration of the Second World War. It was a great fall day with crisp air and a breeze that rustled the beautiful birch trees, against this backdrop, each bell’s ring made this a very haunting sound.

Dudutki Museum

Dudutki is in the county, about 45minutes drive from Minsk. It is an open-air museum consisting of different buildings all constructed in the old Belarussian style. You may wander around the buildings yourself, but I recommend taking a guided tour.

The museum has several different parts all exhibiting crafts and trades from Belarus' history. The owners of the museum have travelled Belarus visiting the villages and interviewing the oldest inhabitents to learn, and keel alive these crafts.

You can visit (and try!) the only legal Samagonka still in Belarus. Samagonka is a home-made spirit made from grain, powerful stuff! You will be offered bread with honey and sala (pig fat!) as zakuska (something to eat after drinking).

The museum also houses a blacksmith, pottery, bakery, woodcraft and art exhibition. They have some livestock, horses, foul and bizzarley some ostriches.

You can also have a traditional Belarussian meal, you must order this before your tour, and it'll be cooked whilst you are visiting the museum, then afterwards you travel to another location 5min away and your lunch is served.

17th century Orthodox Church of Peter and Pavel

Built in 1613, 'Yellow church' (as people usually call it) is the oldest full-entact structure in Minsk.
The story of the church`s construction is quite interesting:
In 17th century Minsk was a catholic city and priests really hated the idea of having an Orthodox church there. There were a lot of disputes and arguments, but inspite the effort of catholics to forbid the construction, noble rich Orthodox citizens of Minsk (53 people or so) donated their money and it was built within a year.
The church survived wars and theft, but it did not survive communists and in 1933 it was closed and turned into the warehouse for.. herring!
When the Great Patriotic War broke in 1941, the service started once again (Minsk denizens asked for it), but then the church was closed once more in 1944, when the war was basically over. Its abbot and his employees were imprisoned and probably sent somewhere cold like Siberian gulag.
It began working again in 1991 and continues to do so till today.
Originally its front had a sign: 'My house will be called a house of prayer.' But after numerous attempts to get rid of this phrase and latest restauration, it no longer can be seen. Pity.

  Address: Nemiga street

  Directions: Next to: Svisloch river, 'Nemiga' trade center, Pobeditelej avenue. Metro station 'Nemiga'.

  Website: http://www.minskoldnew.com/PetraPavla/PetraPavla.htm

around Minsk

it is very affordable to get around Minsk. We rode a bus, taxi, and underground metro for very little trouble or money. I think the metro was around .25 cents per person. it was very fast, clean and efficient. You won't see this in America, but i saw people get up to let an elderly person have a seat! (more than once) Very impressive and respectful.

 Minsk, Belarus Average Weather

Month	Mean Temp °C	Mean Min Temp °C	Mean Max Temp °C	Mean Monthly Prec Days	Mean Monthly Days with Thunder	Mean Monthly Sleet/Snow Days
January	-6.9 °C	-9.8 °C	-4.2 °C	n/a	n/a	n/a
February	-5.8 °C	-8.9 °C	-2.5 °C	n/a	n/a	n/a
March	-1.4 °C	-4.8 °C	2.4 °C	n/a	n/a	n/a
April (expected)	6.0 °C	1.8 °C	10.9 °C	n/a	n/a	n/a
May	12.9 °C	7.6 °C	18.4 °C	n/a	n/a	n/a
June	16.1 °C	11.1 °C	21.3 °C	n/a	n/a	n/a
July	17.3 °C	12.6 °C	22.3 °C	n/a	n/a	n/a
August	16.5 °C	11.7 °C	21.7 °C	n/a	n/a	n/a
September	11.7 °C	7.8 °C	16.5 °C	n/a	n/a	n/a
October	6.3 °C	3.3 °C	9.9 °C	n/a	n/a	n/a
November	.8 °C	-1.3 °C	3.1 °C	n/a	n/a	n/a
December	-3.8 °C	-6.2 °C	-1.5 °C	n/a	n/a	n/a