Discover Eastern Europe: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus

There is hardly any person in Belarus and in the neighboring countries like Russia and Ukraine who has not heard about the famous Brest fortress. It is one of the most popular places of interest in the republic that is famous for the events that took place during the years of Great Patriotic War. Nowadays quite a number of people have the desire to visit this memorial as it is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the country.

The construction of the fortress started in 1833. It was the project of Opperman. But at first just temporary earthworks were built there and the construction of the fortress that we observe in Brest today started on June 1, 1836. April 26, 1842 is known to be the first day when Brest fortress was put into service. The fortress was composed of a stronghold and three fortifications that protected it. The total area is 4 square km.

The stronghold is composed of two caserns that have two floors. These caserns are built of red brick with 500 casemates which house 12 thousand people. The walls are very thick – of about 2 meters thick.

At the beginning of the 20th century the second circle of fortification was built. The construction began in 1913. It was to be 45 km in diameter but nevertheless the construction was not finished because the war began.

Brest fortress has a long history and was an active “participant” of the hostilities that took place on the territory of Belarus. But it is even more famous for the events that took place at the beginning and at the end of the World War II. Nowadays people from all over the country come to that place not only because they see it as a mere tourist attraction, but to pay tribute to the people who died during Brest fortress defense.

In general Brest is considered to be one of the most attractive cities in the republic. There one can find many places to go to. Numerous clubs and bars, restaurants and cafes… Young people always have a choice where to go out one of these days. It is not very large but very clean and attractive. Many people claim that as it is located closer to Poland it is more western like. Whether it is so or not can only be said after seeing it with your own eyes.

Still many people go there in order to see the famous Brest fortress that made the city known for the citizens of the former USSR countries. People of the entire republic have something to be proud of and the citizens of Brest in particular.

Going to Brest can become not a mere excursion around the city itself, visiting it can also become very informative and educational. Here you can learn more about the history of your own country or, if you are a foreigner, you can get to know quite a lot of new facts about the country you are visiting.
You can have a good rest in Belarus. Try it.

Belarus is famous for its lakes and rivers. Many people get real pleasure from having a rest at the bank of one of the lake districts located on the territory of the republic. Lake Naroch and Braslav lakes are the most famous ones. Tourist from any country can go there and derive aesthetic pleasure from the beauty of the area.

Braslav lakes are not only the lake district but also a National Park of the republic of Belarus. It is located 250 km from Minsk – the capital of the country, and its total area is 70 square hectares.

The National Park was created in 1995 and now it is regarded as one of the most picturesque and beautiful places of the country.

It is quite remarkable to note that thousands of years ago at that place there was a glacier after which the lakes formed. Many of the lakes at this district are located in the hilly area. Each of the lakes is unique in its shape and appearance, which makes the view of the whole district beautiful and unforgettable.

Lake Voloso Yuzhny is the deepest on the territory of the National Park. Its maximum depth is 40.4 m with the total area of 1.2 square km. What is unique about it is the transparence of water which makes it possible to see at the depth of 7 meters.

The flora of the region is very rich and there are more than 800 species of plants 20 of which are on the edge of extinction and are included in the Red Book of the republic.

The fauna is also very diverse as even the extinct animals are represented on the territory of the park. 30 species of fish in the waters of the lakes and the multiplicity of flora and fauna speak volumes. The conditions are favorable for all kinds of animate nature which means that the human beings will also feel there as nowhere else.

In this respect tourist centers are located on the territory of the park which makes the rest of the visitors good not only for their aesthetic feelings but also for their health. Numerous cottages are ready to receive new guests annually and make their time spent in the park enjoyable and pleasant. The lovers of the active kind of rest can enjoy fishing or just boating. In any case the holidays will be healthy and wonderful for all the members of your family.

Being closer to the nature seems a real necessity nowadays when every person is sick and tired of the dirty cities they live in. Everyone needs a rest from everything that surrounds him or her and this makes the life in general more diverse. We all need to revive from everyday routine and make our life more energetic and pleasant for us. In this respect making a pause is a must. Just plunge into a relaxing atmosphere of natural beauty and you will feel alive again. It is so easy to do!

There is hardly any Belarusian (and nowadays Russians and Ukrainians) who do not know what the Naroch is. Not so long ago it was simply known as one of the largest lakes in Europe but now it is quite a popular brand that is known far beyond the borders of the republic. Here you can have a really qualitative rest in numerous resorts, hotels, restaurants and bars.

The area near Lake Naroch is called the National park of the republic and was established by the president of the country in 1999. The official name of the area is State Nature-preserving Establishment “National Park “Narochanskiy”.

The park performs numerous functions apart from the one of tourism and they are as follows:

• The preservation of the unique lakes of the Narochanskiy district
• The realization of numerous scientific researches
• The development and introduction into the practice of scientific methods of nature preservation
• Tourism development
• The organization of the ecological education of population
• And surely the preservation of the cultural heritage of the district.

One of the most vivid advantages of the Narochanskiy district is surely its location. The peculiar combination of the landscape, natural growth and reservoirs, their high aesthetic qualities and the climate influence the state of health, emotions and the mood of people immensely which makes the district extremely attractive for family rest and the process of invigorating.

A certain question must have aroused in your mind: is it possible to preserve the nature in the district where tourism is developing? Surely it is a hot issue nowadays and it is one of the most topical one. For this very reason it was decided to create not a mere “tourist attraction” but a real national park where all the rules of nature preservation should be observed. It is very important to cause as little damage to the nature as possible.

State Nature-preserving Establishment “National Park “Narochanskiy” is the place that receives the people who go there for getting the contact with nature and it is the perfect place for that.

Also the park is divided into separate “zones” each of which has its own purpose and its own rules.

• Reserved zone (8.4% of the whole territory) – here no person is allowed to be without a special permission. All possible activities are forbidden in this area except for scientific researches.
• Regulated usage zone (57.6% of the territory of the park) – the area meant for mowing, cattle pasture, berries and mushrooms gatherings and fishing. Also excursions are permitted in the area and other tourists` activities.
• Recreation zone (1.2% of the whole territory) – is meant for the tourist recreation including the resort complexes for the rest and medical treatment. Beaches, parks and meadows are at your disposal.
• And finally agricultural zone which occupies 32.8% of the whole territory of the park.

Each country is famous for its places meant for the rest and recreation. For Belarus it is the Narochanskiy district which attracts not only the citizens of the country but also the visitors from the neighborhood.

Travel abroad and learn our tips on it.

While traveling around Belarus it is impossible to miss the opportunity to get into the famous little town Mir that is located 100 km from Minsk and 30km from Nesvizh in Grodno district of the republic, or simply it is situated in the centre of the road that links ancient Belarusian towns Slutsk, Kopyl, Kletsk, Nesvizh, Korelichi, Novogrudok and Lida. The town has become known far beyond the borders of the country mainly thanks to its main architectural sight the Mir castle.

The building of this very castle began long time ago, in the 16th century and during its 500 year history it underwent a lot of destructions that were caused by numerous wars that took place on the territory of today’s Belarus. Moreover, during its existence the castle changed not only its owners but also its own appearance. The general looks of this architectural monument is really unique as it includes many elements of the European styles in architecture such as gothic, renascence and baroque. The walls of the castle produce an unforgettable impression on its visitors as their height is up to 13 meters and the width reaches 3 meters. There are four many-tier towers and the fifth, which is the highest one, reaches the height of 25 meters and can be divided into 6 tires. Each of the towers has quite a unique appearance but at the same time they all are quite similar which makes them look just like one architectural ensemble.

In general the castle is a square building with the four towers mentioned above which protected its citizens during war times. A large underground vault represents a very developed system of subsidiary accommodation that is many times as big as the area on the surface. At the same time the castle is made of the red brick which is not considered to be very attractive as it is but the general looks of the castle performed with the help of numerous elements of different styles make you believe that even red brick can make the appearance of a building unforgettable and attractive.

Many years had passed before the reconstruction of the Mir castle began in 1983. Later in 1992 the museum opened there which attracted more and more tourists from many countries as well as those who live in Belarus. The work on reconstruction of the castle is continuing but even nowadays we may often here about various concerts that are held in the castle which makes the site one of the most favorite places of interest in the country.

Each country can boast having many places of interest that a tourist can visit. And it does not really matter what kind of city or town is represented as a historical place of interest. The capital of the country is not necessarily the heart of all international visits and even international meetings. And in general it is impossible to judge the country as a whole after having seen only its capital. The most interesting and the most remarkable places may be hidden in small towns and even villages like Mir, for example.

Get interested? So read the tips to get ready for a trip in a quick way.