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Belarus experienced all horrors of the war from its beginning to the long-awaited Victory Day. There are a lot of places in our country that still remind you of those terrible events. On the eve of the 9th of May it is a time to remember about our ancestors’ exploits and hit the road. And VETLIVA will suggest the most interesting routes to help you to see and learn more about the Great Patriotic War events.
Great Patriotic War monuments
Minsk region
The route of our heroic journey begins with the city where thousands of Belarusian roads lead - Minsk. The capital does not carry the proud title of Hero for nothing - during the war fierce battles took place here (just remember the Minsk cauldron) and miracles of human selflessness and heroism were demonstrated. So there are a few legendary memorials here.
Victory Square
Even if you don't live in Minsk, you're probably familiar with this image. In the heart of the Belarusian capital, a majestic obelisk stands and the scarlet letters "The feat of the nation is immortal" burn. It's meant to remind everyone of every Red Army soldier and partisan who gave their lives during the Great Patriotic War while defending their homeland. The majority of sightseeing tour routes in Minsk include a mandatory visit to Victory Square.
Memorial complex “Khatyn”
In this place you feel a twinge in your chest when you realize that such terrible things were happening on our land just over 70 years ago. It didn't matter to the enemy whether it was an adult or a defenseless child - everyone was murdered... 149 lives were cut short here at one moment, when the punishers burned all inhabitants of Khatyn alive. And now only the memorial reminds us that once there was an ordinary Belarusian village.
Brest region
Even those who have not been in Brest certainly heard about the famous Brest Fortress. This place is one of the most iconic in our country.
Brest Fortress
The history of the Brest Fortress is famous far across the borders of Belarus. This bastion of courage and heroism took the brunt of the enemy troops. The defense lasted a whole month, and not a single defender of the fortress survived. "I'm dying, but not surrendering! Goodbye, Motherland. 20/VII-41" - says the heartbreaking inscription, made by the hand of a Soviet soldier on the wall of the fortress.
VETLIVA recommends: visit the Brest Fortress during the May holidays, for example, along with one of the military tours. Every year on the 9th of May there are large-scale events dedicated to the commemorative date.
Grodno region
In the Volkovyssk district there is a memorial that is called "the little sister of Khatyn". It refers to the village of Shaulichi, the entire population of which was exterminated during the Great Patriotic War.
Memorial complex "Shaulichi”
On the 7th of July 1943, during a punitive operation, the Germans shot all the inhabitants of Šaulić. 366 lives, including 120 children's, were cut short in an instant, and their homes were burned to the ground... The village has never been revived since, adding to the list of 186 settlements that disappeared from the face of the earth during World War II. And now there is a memorial with names of every civilian who died here, for whom the bronze bell tolls pitifully…
Gomel region
In Gomel region there are a lot of memorials devoted to the Great Patriotic War events. You can visit the city during the May holidays (we'll tell you where to stay for that time), take a walk around Gomel and go on a trip to memorial places.
Memorial Complex "Loev"
Near Loev in October 1943 it was one of the most large-scale battles of the Great Patriotic War - the crossing of the Dnieper. The strategic defensive line of the Nazis called the Eastern rampart was located in the Loev district, and they were confident that it was impregnable. But the Soviet army quickly proved the opposite to the Germans by showing a remarkable strength, courage and heroism. The names of 365 participants of the Battle for the Dnieper are inscribed on memorial slabs of the complex. Also there is a replica of Minsk stele that is 22 meters high and the exhibition of military equipment from the Great Patriotic War and modern copies of military vehicles.
Memorial complex "To the children - victims of the war"
"Children Khatyn", "children Auschwitz"... These are the associations that arise when you get to this abode of pangs of sadness and pain. A concentration camp, horrible in its cynicism and scale, was organized in the village of Krasny Bereg, where innocent children were drained of their blood for the German soldiers. At least 12,000 people went through the gruesome killing machine, mostly girls aged 8-24 with the first blood type and positive rhesus factor.
"The White Classroom, the Ship of Hope, the children's drawings, the sculpture of a girl - every location here is filled with light and faith in a better future. And reading the letter of Katya Susanina, who left it before committing suicide, it is impossible to hold back tears...
VETLIVA recommends: if you decide to go on a tour of Belarus and see the memorial, there is another iconic Belarusian landmark not far from it. The Gatowski estate in the village of Krasny Bereg is an unusual architectural monument in the neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance style and since 2015 after a thorough reconstruction is happy to welcome guests.
Mogilev region
There are a lot of memorable places that you can visit in Mogilev region on holidays in May.
Memorial complex "Buynichskoe field"
The memorial is set on the site of fierce fightings that took place on approaches to Mogilev. In 1941, near Buynichi, there was the line Tishovka - Buynichi - Selets, which the Germans sought to occupy. And for 23 days the Soviet soldiers bravely held the line and did not let the enemy through.
Now there is a scarlet chapel with names of the victims and a Foucault pendulum - a symbol of the eternal memory. Nearby you can also see the rich display of military equipment.
An interesting fact from VETLIVA: did you know that in Belarus you can not only be photographed against the background of a tank, but also take a ride on it? Such a service is offered by a famous historical and cultural complex "Stalin Line".
Memorial Complex "Zemlyanka"
At the 1st kilometer of the highway Mogilev-Chausy there is an interesting and unusual sight. This concrete dugout was erected to commemorate a landmark event of World War II: the first meeting at which they discussed the strategy of defense of the Dnieper frontier and the creation of underground units in the rear of the Nazi army took place here. So if you are going to Mogilyov - be sure to stop by!
Vitebsk region
Our selection of the memorial places is completed by two locations in Vitebsk. If you are just planning a trip to the city on the Dvina river - it's a good time to book accommodation and note the points on the map!
Memorial complex "Victory Square" in Vitebsk
The memorial, popularly named "Three bayonets", stands in the center of Victory Square in Vitebsk. Each of the bayonets is crowned with a cast relief depicting courageous defenders of the Motherland: "Warriors", "Undergrounders" and "Partisans". The complex also includes two ponds with fountains, ten pylons and sculptures. Nearby, in the Victory Park, you can see the exhibition of World War II equipment.
Memorial complex "Katyusha" ("For Our Soviet Motherland!")
The monument to the combat vehicle, fondly named Katyusha, you will find during your visit to Orsha. The place for the memorial is not chosen by chance: it was in this city on the 14th of July 1941 the first volleys of the legendary cannon were fired. On the pedestal there is an exact replica of the Katyusha of 1941.
No matter what direction you choose to travel and no matter what memorials you see, each location will leave a lasting impression and emotions. Our duty as heirs is to remember the price paid for the peaceful sky above our heads and to honor the memory of our ancestors.
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