Residence of Father Frost in Belovezhskaya Pushcha

The Belarusian Residence of Father Frost and its inhabitants

Now it is hard to imagine how we lived without our residence of Father Frost in Belovezhskaya Pushcha! But it was opened relatively recently - in 2003 - and since then it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belarus. Every year - and all year round - it is visited by about 150 thousand people.

A whole team of woodcarvers have worked on creating a fabulous atmosphere for the estate. They decorated the house of Father Frost as well as everything around it with intricate wooden interwoven ornament. They also created many sculptures made of wood based on fairy tales. The entrance to the residence of Father Frost is guarded by Dub Dubovic and Vyaz-Vyazovic. Two huge trees had been damaged during the storm - but the sculptors breathed new life into them and turned them into two fairytale knights.

The estate is quite large. It is located on 15 hectares. There is also a treasury, a magic mill, which grinds bad things into dust and sand, a Snow Maiden's attic story, a glade of Twelve Months, an alley of the eastern calendar signs, and a real Christmas tree. In winter it is incredibly beautifully decorated with glittering lights. However, it is very beautiful here at any time of year. The coziness made by the caring hand of Father Frost is hinged here, and the smoke is curling from the chimney and that means - the owner is waiting for guests for tea. Father frost also reads numerous letters sent to him by children from all over the world and answers them.

While the children communicate and play with Father Frost, adults can have a snack with pancakes or other national Belarusian dishes at the "Hata Dzeda Maroza", buy souvenirs as a memory of visiting the fabulous residence. Then, together with children, they can take the New Year train ride. A two-hour tour of the Father Frost Manor will fly nearly unnoticed. Buses run from the entrance to the National Park in Belovezhskaya Pushcha and  to the residence of Father Frost at 11:00, 13:30 and 16:00, and on holidays from the 10th of December - every hour.

What else can I see?

It should be noted that it is not only Father Frost that Belovezhskaya Pushcha is famous for. It has become possible to preserve the world's largest population of bison, which live practically in their natural habitat. You can see bison and other wild animals in the forest zoo. These are huge enclosures inhabited by deer, roes, lynxes, wolves, bears, foxes and birds of prey. Visitors especially like the biggest owl that lives here - the long-eard owl.
You can strengthen your knowledge in the Museum of Nature, which is considered one of the best of its kind in Belarus.

In addition, there is a wonderful museum of folk life and old technologies in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. Tour guides will tell you about the history of the reserve's foundation, as well as numerous hunting stories that have been told from generation to generation in these places. And those wishing to do so can taste the "Pushcha" treats at the Khutorok cafe, including moonshine, which will be prepared before your eyes.

The open-air archaeological museum will show you the life of our distant ancestors from the Bronze Age (1st millennium B.C.) to the early Middle Ages (10th century A.D.).

In general, if you decide to spend a good weekend - take the whole family and go to Belovezhskaya Pushcha in the residence of Father Frost. Neither the adult nor the youngest of kids will be bored!