BELARUS
TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS
Belarus is often referred to as "White Russia" (word-by-word country's
name translation), which describes the area of Eastern Europe
populated by Slavic people. As a travel destination, Belarus with its
rich historical past and unique cultural traditions has many tourist
attractions to offer. Wide open areas, and vast forests, hundreds of
lakes, picturesque landscapes, old castles and monasteries attract many
visitors.
Below we will list just a few main attractions.
The
capital city of
Minsk
was badly damaged during the World War II, but has been rebuilt and
skilfully restored since. The city is situated on the banks of the
Svisloch
River. The city boasts the famous Belarusian Ballet
and many museums such as the National Museum of Belarusian History and
Culture, the National Arts Museum, the Museum of History of the Great
Patriotic War and the Museum of Old Belarusian Culture. In the Minsk's suburb of
Troitskoye Predmestye you can see well-kept houses built in the 19th
century. In Minsk itself there are some preserved and restored medieval
churches originally built in the 17th century, such as the Cathedral of
the Holy Spirit, the
Cathedral of St Peter and Paul and the Maryinsky Cathedral. Rich
displays of the Great Patriotic War museum allow visitors to comprehend
the tragedy of the Belorussian people who lost a quarter of the
population during the World War II.
If you are interested in war history, we strongly recommend you to
visit the
Brest Fortress on the western
border of Belarus (with Poland). The fortress was built in the middle
of the 19th century, and is now world-famous for its heroic defence by
a few thousand Soviet Army soldiers against vastly superior number of
German troops in June-July of 1941. The massive stone structure looks
very impressive as well as the local museum, memorial buildings and
monuments.
Close to Brest situated the state
national park-
Belovezhskaya Pushcha.
Populated with wild European bison, bears, wolves, as well as
over 60 other species of animals, the park is very popular among
foreign tourists who are able to walk numerous scenic trails and see
wild animals in their habitat.
If you like folk crafts and historical buildings, visit the
Dudutki open-air museum.
The trip will take a one full day trip from Minsk. Traditional
crafts,
such as carpentry, pottery, craft-making and baking are on
display
in 19th century-style wooden houses with straw-covered roofs and
windmills. Meals for tourists are cooked using using traditional
recipes and
techniques.
Here you can order homemade cheeses, bread, draniki (potato pancakes),
kolduni
(potato dumplings), and samogon (moonshine). Another open-air museum is
the Museum of Folk Architecture situated in Ozerto, half-hour
southwest of Minsk, features some 100 year-old
buildings from different areas in Belarus.
The city of
Grodno, three
hours west of Minsk, is one of the most well-preserved historical
cities in Belarus, with many preserved old buildings including a
couple of 11-th century churches.
The old city of
Vitebsk, 2 hours to the north-east from Minsk, is the birthplace of the
world-famous artist
Marc Chagall (1887 - 1985). Here you will find a cultural center named after Marc Chagall, and
his family house turned into a museum.
The city of
Polotsk once was
one of the major Russian sities-states in medieval times. Founded in
862, Polotsk is one of the oldest cities in Belarus. There are several
1000 year-old churches, less old monasteries and castles in the area.
The city of
Pinsk, three hours south of Minsk, the capital of the forested Polesye region boasts many historical, architectural and cultural
monuments.
The
Braslav Lake District near the borders of Lithuania and
Latvia counts up to 40 lakes and is a good area
for watersports.
TRAVEL
TIPS
When
To Go
Early summer and autumn (May through September) are best seasons to
travel to Belarus, except for hot and rainy July and August which is a
low tourist season in Belarus. Belarus winters are cold and wet. You
should also avoid early spring thaw (March-April) and the first
snowfalls (October-November), which bring wetness on the ground, slush
and mud.
Personal Safety and Security
The threat from terrorism is
low. There is little crime in
Belarus. Most visits are trouble-free. However, you should be
alert at all times to the possibility of mugging, pickpocketing and
theft from vehicles or hotel rooms. Take extra
care when travelling by train, as there have been instances of theft
from travellers, especially on sleeper trains to Warsaw and Moscow.
Belarus is governed by a strong
Presidential system with security
forces loyal to it. Historically the authorities have shown
little tolerance for their opposition counterparts. Security forces are
often used to
disperse or intimidate opposition events. Avoid any demonstrations or
rallies.
Driving Tips
You must possess a valid International
Driver's Licence to drive legally in Belarus. When travelling
by private vehicle, you must be able to produce original ownership
documents or
a letter of "power of attorney" at Custom's offices at border
crossings. You must have third party car insurance or you may
get a fine. Since January 2005 Belarus introduced a new system
of fees for drivers
of foreign vehicles wishing to use the country's highways. Payments are collected at border checkpoints and will vary
according to the length of stay.
The quality of driving in Belarus is erratic. Belarus'
"A-class" highways are in average to good condition. The
condition of "B-class" roads varies considerably and some are
impassable for periods in winter. Drivers should note that
road works and potholes are usually poorly marked.
Observe the speed limit at all times. The standard
speed limit is 60 kph (37 mph) in built up areas; 90 kph (55 mph)
outside built up areas; and 100 kph (62 mph) on motorways. Drunk
drivers are severely persecuted. You should drive with your lights on
at all
times between November and March.
Long queues at the border are common, customs and immigration
procedures can be lengthy and
bureaucratic. Drivers should
stop at police
checkpoints when instructed, and have the vehicle
documentation to
hand, otherwise you risk a fine and delay.
Ensure that you do not overstay the
temporary import terms for your vehicle. Violation of the
exit deadline may result in confiscation of your vehicle at the
Belarusian border or if stopped at an in-country police checkpoint.
Local
Laws and Customs
Belarus
has severe penalties for
drugs-related
crimes. The penalties for possession of drugs
range from fines to up to five years imprisonment. Large-scale
drug-related offences can result in imprisonment
of up to 15 years.
Homosexual
relationships are permitted under Belarusian
law. However, Belarus remains a conservative society, and the
gays/lesbians keep low profile.
Avoid taking photographs of all government buildings,
military installations and uniformed officials.
Visas and Registration
Visitors to Belarus from most
countries will need a visa. In order
to get a visa you will also
need a compulsory state medical insurance and documents, depending on
the type of visa
you apply for. There is a compulsory
state
medical
insurance for visitors to Belarus. For a week's
visit you will need to fill out a form and pay US$3. Visas are also
required
to enter or transit Belarus. If you attempt to transit Belarus
without
a visa, the border authorities will send you to Minsk to obtain the
appropriate visa. You may also be required to pay a
fine and face deportation. Check the list of
Embassies of Belarus to the World
or
Embassies of Other Nations to Belarus
for more details.
Anyone staying more than 3 days in
Belarus must register
with the local registration office (OVIR) in the
district in which they are staying. If you are staying in a
hotel this will be arranged by the hotel. If you are not
staying in a hotel this must be organised by your host. There
are fines for not registering in time. If arriving at the
weekend the earliest you will be able to register is Tuesday.
Tuesday will count as the first of the three days.
Since February 2006, you need to
complete a migration card to enter
Belarus. Part B of the card will be stamped on arrival and
should be retained. You will need to return it when leaving
the country. The migration card must also be stamped at the
local OVIR. This is done at the same time as registration.
If you are staying in a hotel, they should do this for
you. You should state on the migration card the period that
you intend to stay in Belarus. If you decide to stay longer
than the period stated, you should ensure you extend the validity of
the migration card (and your visa if necessary) at OVIR.
Declaration of currency and
goods
You must complete a currency and
goods declaration form on entering Belarus. This must be
completed accurately and must be stamped on entry by a Customs
Officer. You will not be allowed to take out from Belarus
more currency than you originally declared on the currency declaration
form on entry to Belarus. You should keep these forms for the
duration of your visit. When leaving Belarus you will have to
complete a new form but you should also have the original form to
hand. If you do not do so, your journey may be delayed and
you may be fined.
Health
In Belarus, there is a big institute
and lots of funding for studying the after effects of the
Chernobyl
nuclear power plant disaster (1986) in the food
chain.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive
travel
and medical
insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions,
and that
your policy covers you for the activities you want to
undertake.
Standards of health care in Belarus
are below
that of developed countries. You should bring essential personal medications,
as the
availability of local supplies cannot be guaranteed.
You should take care to avoid
certain food products
(primarily local dairy
produce, forest mushrooms and berries), which can carry
high levels of radiation as a result of contamination from the
Chernobyl disaster. You should not drink village well water
as it is usually heavily contaminated with impurities. In
cities, you should first boil, then filter tap water before
drinking. We recommend that you buy bottled water.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all
appropriate vaccinations are up to date.
Money
US Dollars and Euros are the most
widely accepted currencies. The number of ATMs is steadily increasing
in major cities. Credit cards are not widely used but can be
used to withdraw cash at major hotels and banks, some large stores and
restaurants. Exchange foreign currency only at Government licensed
booths near major stores, hotels, banks and all shopping
centres. Non-compliance can result in fines and/or arrest.
Converting belarusian rubles back into hard currency once you are
outside of Belarus will be impossible. Therefore, convert them
back into your home currency or spend before leaving the country.
Be very careful, exchange kiosks will not exchange any foreign bill
that is damaged or marked on in anyway.
Be sure to take only relatively
new and undamaged foreign money with you.
BRIEF
HISTORY
Between the sixth and the twelfth centuries, modern-day Belarus was
settled by the Slavs, who still dominate the country. The Early East
Slavs gradually came into contact with the Varangians and were
organized by them under the state of Kievan Rus'. In the thirteenth
century, several of the separate Ruthenian principalities were badly
affected by a Mongol invasion. During the later country's
history, parts of Belarus have been under the control of several
different countries, including the Lithuania,
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Russian
Empire. elarus became a republic f the Soviet Union
in 1922.
In September 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Poland and annexed its
eastern lands, including majority of Polish-held Byelorussian land. In
1941, Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Byelorussia was
occupied and remained in German hands until 1944. Over one
million buildings were destroyed and 25% of the Belorussian
population (over 2 million people) were killed. Following the collapse
of the Soviet Union, Belarus officially attained its independence on
August the 25, 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties
to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and
Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999
envisioning greater political and economic integration. Since
his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Alexandr
Lukashenko has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian
means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press,
peaceful assembly, and religion continue.
GEOGRAPHY
Area:
total: 207,600 sq km; land: 207,600 sq km,
water: 0 sq km.
Climate: cold
winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and
maritime.
Terrain: generally
flat and contains much marshland.
Natural
Resources: forests, peat moss deposits, small
quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic
limestone, chalk, sand, gravel.
Environmental
Problems: soil pollution from pesticide use;
southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986
nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine.
PEOPLE
Population:
10,000,000.
Major
Ethnic Groups: Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%,
Polish 3.9%, Ukrainian 2.4%, other 1.1%.
Religions: Eastern
Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and
Muslim) 20%.
GOVERNMENT
Type: republic
in name, although in fact a dictatorship (Republic of Belarus).
Capital
City: Minsk.
Time
Difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington,
DC during Standard Time). Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last
Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October. Check
current time.
National
Holiday: Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note -
3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25
August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union.
ECONOMY
Belarus has seen little structural reform since 1995, when President
Lukashenko launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In
keeping with this policy, Lukashenko reimposed administrative controls
over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right
to intervene in the management of private enterprises. The present
government has re-nationalized a number of private companies. In
addition, businesses have been subject to pressure by central and local
governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous
inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and
arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. Because of
these restrictive economic policies, Belarus has had trouble attracting
foreign investment, which remains low. Growth has been strong in recent
years, despite the roadblocks in a tough, centrally directed economy
with a high, but decreasing, rate of inflation.
Unemployment
Rate: 1.6%.
Agriculture
Products: grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar
beets, flax; beef, milk.
Major
Industries: metal-cutting machine tools,
tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, televisions, chemical
fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators.
Export
Commodities: machinery and equipment, mineral
products, chemicals, metals, textiles, foodstuffs.
Export
Partners: Russia 34.7%, Netherlands 17.7%, UK
7.5%, Ukraine 6.3%, Poland 5.2%.
Import
Commodities: mineral products, machinery and
equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals.
Import
Partners: Russia 58.6%, Germany 7.5%, Ukraine
5.5%.
Currency: Belarusian
ruble (BYB/BYR). Check
current rate of exchange.
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