Today was my full day Minsk walking. I slept till 7am and left the apartment by 1030. To the left along Lenina St is the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. 

 
 

Opposite is Place Svobody square with the white City Hall. Beside is the striking Cathedral of the Holy Spirit with its two spires. 

 
 

The interior was adorned with gold Orthodox iconography. Beside was another small Orthodox Church. 

 
 

Crossing the big Niamiha intersection was a large Soviet style stone mural of people. The city was actually more historical than Soviet designed. A block south was the St Peter & Paul Church. 

 
 

The sunlight was streaming thru the windows illuminating the ceiling. Across the river was The Trinity Suburb the original historic settlement. This was about a dozen buildings and not much to see. 

A short walk up along the river was the Island of Tears with a memorial to the Afghanistan war of from 1979-89. 

 
 
































I made my way past the US Embassy which was in an older building and not well kept from the exterior. Nearby was one of the two Jewish Synagogues. 

The lady at the front desk who spoke little English was very excited when I said I was from Toronto and told me her son lived there. I wasnt sure if visitors were allowed into the actual Synagogue hall. 

 

She took me into the downstairs hall. With her limited English she told me it was built in 1915 but closed in 1935 until Peristroika in the 80s. Upstairs was a more modern newer hall. I met with maybe the Rabbi and another lady in the office both who spoke perfect English. 

They translated and said the first lady wanted me to take a present for her son, two books, and a necklace for her grand daughter. As I only had hand luggage I said ok but only one book light in weight. I gave my contact info but she backed out on my last day for whatever reason after all her initial excitement.   

 

Back on my walking route I made my way to the St Mary Magdalene Church. This is off the tourist path and worth visiting for its typical domes and impressive interior murals. 

Beside was a bakery where I got where I got some baked goods for .80 BR (.60 cents). I then went west along the big main street to the War Memorial. 

 
 

This was a big war museum I didnt want to walk and pay to go inside but the outside design was very striking. I then had to navigate some side streets to get to the Mosque. 

 
 

This has only recently been rebuilt to its exact original design. I could only get into the lower level and the upstairs main hall is closed except for maybe busy prayer times if it has been completed. 

 
 

There is an interesting photo display of the history and construction of the Mosque as well as other rural Mosques. The Mosque was destroyed in Soviet times. It was midday prayer times so I did namaaz although they didnt take as much interest in me as they did in the Kiev Mosque. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
               




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