I’m not a traveller in real life because of the kind of work I have but I do travel a lot through internet that I even visited Minsk.

Do you know where Minsk is? Minsk is the historic capital of Belarus, home to more than 1.8 million people and by far the biggest city in the landlocked Eastern European country. As far as I know (from my research), it would take a good 18 hours to drive to Minsk from Milan (I’m familiar with Milan because of the movie “Milan”).

If you love historic places,Minsk is the right place for you. They said that you miss half of your life if you’ll not visit their great sites like:

1. Belarus National Museum of History & Culture

A comprehensive tour of the Belarus National Museum of History & Culture is a de facto journey of the country’s long and turbulent past. While not always facile to digest, a definite must-see attraction in Minsk if ever there was one.

2. Dudutki

Though a full 40 km south of Minsk, Dudutki is well worth a visit. The excellent open-air museum offers a veritable slice of rural, bucolic 19th century Belarusian life. Admission includes a hearty, traditional meal.

3. National Academic Big Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus

The historic heart of Minsk is host to the world class National Academic Big Opera and Ballet Theatre of the Republic of Belarus. A long title indeed, which is why locals refer to it simply as Opierny Teatr. Whether you have tickets to a performance or not, the park and theater compound is a great place to hang out.

4. Island of Tears

Just outside the Old Town of Minsk is a small footbridge which takes visitors to a somber memorial dedicated to the scores of Belarusian soldiers who lost their lives in the Soviet-Afghan conflict from 1979 to 1989.

5. National Library of Belarus

For those who long to see a piece of architecture in the shape of a rhombicuboctahedron, head to Minsk pronto. The futuristic, wholly progressive National Library of Belarus is utterly unforgettable from the outside and boasts a collection of close to 10 million books and documents. Outside of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, this place has the most books in Russian on the planet.

6. Palats Mastatsva

The Art Palace, or Palats Mastatsva, is a hip haunt in Minsk. Whether to admire modern art, browse book stalls, haggle with antique vendors or simply people-watch, this is the place to get a feel for the city.

7. Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

The fortress Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul dates back to the early 17th century, which puts it in elite status in Belarus. Though no longer alone on the Minsk skyline, the church has undergone a superb restoration effort over the past decade. Another church with two names, the Church of Saints Simon and Helena – a.k.a. The Red Church – is also quite remarkable.

8. Dom Ofitserov

As far as national war memorials go, Dom Ofitserov is a great one. The somber landmark commemorates those who fought to free Minsk from the grip of the Nazis in World War Two.

9. Cathedral of Saint Virgin Mary

The majestic Baroque Cathedral of Saint Virgin Mary is a vital landmark in Minsk. Built in the early 18th century, the church was left in a state of disrepair by the Soviet regime throughout much of the 20th century.

10. The National Arts Museum of the Republic of Belarus
National museums provide paramount lessons about a particular country, especially a diminutive one like Belarus. The National Arts Museum of the Republic of Belarus is no exception of course, with over 25,000 items on display. One wonders however, what the collection would look like today if the Nazis had not looted it so thoroughly.

You’ll just need a tourist visa from Belarus in order to travel in Minsk. You can avail an invitation letter from this site to process your tourist visa . It’s wiser to rent apartment in Minsk than to stay in a hotel. In the beginning of 2007 the Minsk hotel rooms have been listed as one of the most expensive hotels in the world for residing foreign citizens. That”s the time that the Belarusian travel agencies began to offer rental apartments.

How I wish time will come that we could visit this historical place. How I wish that my son would love to study History and have the chance to visit historical places that we haven’t had the chance to visit.