The heart of almost any city in the world is a square. For example, in Russia, it is the well-known Red Square, Times Square in American New York and, of course, Independence Square in Minsk. In Gomel — the second largest city in Belarus — the role of the dominant is played by Lenin Square.

The history of Gomel’s landmark

The history of Lenin Square, which at first was called Bazarnaya, is inextricably linked with the Rumyantsev dynasty. Count Peter Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky received the city as a reward for his valiant service (recall that in 1775 Empress Catherine II personally granted him possessions). He initiated the construction of a luxurious palace and a park ensemble on the site of the wooden residence of the Czartoryski. The complex had been building for several decades and in 1794 was finally completed.

An interesting fact from VETLIVA: the ensemble is a grandiose complex that includes, in addition to the palace in the style of classicism, several more interesting buildings. In the picturesque park surrounding it, truly rare plants grow, one can see them while walking along shady alleys of the park. So arm yourself with our guide on Gomel and explore the Polesie pearl of urban planning!

When the heir of the count ruled, Nikolai Petrovich Rumyantsev, Lenin Square began to gain its features. In 1810-1820 Gomel had been actively rebuilding. Old quarters were demolished and new ones were built, at tat times classicism was still in fashion, and therefore the squares were built spacious and the streets — straight and wide. Nobody thought about saving space, that’s why Lenin’s area turned out to be unusually large: 250x400 m. At that time, it was one of the largest in Belarus.

An interesting fact from VETLIVA: as we mentioned above, at first the square was called Bazarnaya. It got its name because on weekends there was a lively trade, and its development was facilitated by the nearby Kievskij Descent, which overlooked the river pier.

By the middle of the 19th century, the stone Gostiny Dvor, the city hall, the Catholic Church and other buildings appeared on the square. It is noteworthy that almost none of them survived...

Before the revolution, visiting theaters constantly performed in Gomel, but there was no separate building for the organization of performances. Initially, they were planning to build it in the park itself (even valuable trees were cut down), but the war intervened in the plans.

When it ended, Lenin Square had been restoring for a long time. And then there appeared its main sights: in 1954 — the building of the Regional Theater with columns and in 1958 — a monument to the leader of the world proletariat, which gave the square a new name.

An interesting fact from VETLIVA: do you know that even in the capital of Belarus there are more monuments to Lenin than devoted to outstanding poets and writers? However, there are many really unusual ones.

What you will see on Lenin Square in Gomel

Since the city was founded, Lenin Square has been the basis of Gomel's composition. Behind there are the famous palace and park ensemble of the Rumyantsev-Paskevichs, and from it, three main streets of the city begin — Sovetskaya, Lenin Avenue and Proletarskaya. Now tourists who come to the city on an excursion or visit Gomel as part of a tour can see on Lenin Square:

• The typical monument to Lenin. The monument to the leader of the world proletariat appeared on the square in honour of the 40th anniversary of the BSSR.

• Gomel Regional Drama Theater, behind which is the square named after Cyril Turovsky. The building is decorated with columns and a sculpture of the muse of the tragedy — Melpomene, the Greek patroness of the theater.

• The Palace of Sports.

• The Entertainment Center.

In addition, it is here that the main Christmas tree of the city is established. So if you plan to go on a New Year's trip around Belarus, Gomel is ready to meet you with the radiance of festive illumination!