- Parks and gardens of Brest
- Religious buildings
- Sights of Brest
- Note to theatergoers
- Children's rest in Brest
- Shopping and souvenirs
At the mention of Brest, the only association is instantly born - the first hours of the Great Patriotic War and the hero fortress, whose defenders performed an unthinkable military and human feat. It is the Brest Fortress that is the main attraction of the Belarusian city and its environs, although there are also plenty of other interesting historical monuments for tourists on the banks of the Mukhavets. If your strong point is local history, be sure that you will find the answer to the question of where to go in Brest very quickly. The guides will offer the keen guest a rich program of excursions to museums. Nature lovers will find peace in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, where the "light of the crystal dawn" still rises above the world. Gastronomic pleasures in the form of acquaintance with potato dishes and not only await gourmets in cozy restaurants, but the young generation will be glad to meet the Belarusian twin of Father Frost.
Parks and gardens of Brest
Part of the relict primeval lowland forest, preserved from prehistoric times on the territory of Belarus, has been legally a national park since 1992. On the basis of its environmental education center, the recently renovated Museum of Nature is located.
The uniqueness of the forest is that the average age of the Pushcha trees is 81 years. Some of them have been growing for more than 300 years, and about a thousand specimens of forest old-timers have existed since the XIV-XV centuries. In terms of the number of plant and animal species, the national park near Brest is also unmatched. The most famous are bison, the population of which in Belovezhskaya Pushcha is the largest on the planet.
In the oldest nature reserve in Europe, Vladimir Monomakh hunted, and the first law banning the extermination of large animals in the Pushcha was signed by the Grand Duke of Lithuania Jagailo in 1409.
The city park of Brest, which is also worth going for a walk, is named in honor of the First of May. It was built by the soldiers of the Libavian garrison, stationed in the city at the beginning of the 20th century. Since 1904, the area of the park has increased several times, and today the townspeople prefer to spend their leisure time in it. Several years ago, the park was reconstructed, and now there is a boat rental on its lake, and bicycle and walking paths are equipped along the banks, souvenir shops and summer cafes are open.
Religious buildings
Among all the temples on the territory of the region, the church dedicated to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is considered one of the most beautiful. It was founded in the middle of the 19th century. and was built in full accordance with the then fashionable principles of late classicism in architecture. The church looks very modest and laconic, but at the same time serves as an example of the aesthetically consistent style and impeccable taste of the author of the project. Among the valuable relics kept in the church is the icon of the Mother of God of Brest, which is especially revered in the republic. The last restoration eliminated the consequences of using the temple as a museum during the years of Soviet power. The church has acquired its original appearance and is now active again.
The second famous Brest church is located just outside the city, in the village of Chernavchitsy. Its construction began in the 16th century, and the temple is considered one of the oldest in Belarus. The main facade of the church is designed in the tradition of the Renaissance architectural style. Researchers believe that the author of the project of the temple could have been the same architect who built the Castle Gate in Nesvizh: the handwriting is very similar. The belfry is located a few meters from the church building. It looks very solid and with its reliable forms resembles a defensive tower.
Another religious building, where a tourist-pilgrim in Brest can go, is located on the territory of the hero-fortress. St. Nicholas Orthodox Church appeared in the fort in 1876. It was built by the architect David Ivanovich Grimm, known in engineering circles as the author of the "Russian style". Grimm was the chairman of the St. Petersburg Society of Architects and many churches were erected according to his designs in Russia, Georgia, Denmark, France and Switzerland.
A magnificent example of Russian-Byzantine architectural traditions, St. Nicholas Brotherhood Church was built in 1904 at the expense of the Holy Synod. The sailors who participated in the Russo-Japanese War also donated money for the construction. Over the years, a shelter for homeless children, a canteen for the poor, a shelter and even an archive functioned in the church. of the last century, the church was not returned to the believers. The temple keeps the image of Nicholas the Wonderworker, a particle of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, the Holy Crucifix with a stone from Golgotha and some icons revered as miraculous.
Sights of Brest
The memorial complex Brest Fortress is the most famous landmark of the city. The construction of the fortification began in the first half of the 19th century, when Brest-Litovsk occupied an important military-strategic position, requiring fortifications in case of an enemy invasion. At the place where the fortress was erected, there used to be the Brest Castle. The central building had walls two meters thick and consisted of more than 500 rooms. It was called a citadel and was located on an island formed by Bug and Mukhavets. The island and the river banks were connected by drawbridges.
On the territory of the hero fortress, a museum exposition dedicated to the defense in June 1941 is open. Fans of fortification architecture may be interested in fragments of stone structures that have survived from the time of the existence of Brest-Litovsk, the White Palace and the casemates of the eastern part of the main shaft. The museum often hosts exhibitions dedicated to the war and the defense of the fortress.
Having explored the main attraction, guests of Brest can go on an excursion to other interesting points on the city map:
- A visit to Belaya Vezha will take a whole day. The tower is located 40 km from the city, but the trip is well worth the time. An outstanding example of medieval defensive architecture is located on the top of the hill, and the observation deck offers magnificent views of the surrounding area. Belaya Vezha was built in the 13th century. A branch of the Brest Regional Museum was opened there.
- Any other city in the world will hardly offer you to visit the Museum of Rescued Valuables. Brest is the only place where they decided to open an exposition of works of art, jewelry and simply interesting things confiscated from smugglers. The most significant exhibits are icons painted in the 17th century.
- In the Archaeological Museum "Berestye" visitors will be told one of the versions of the origin of the name of Brest and will be shown the ones preserved from the XIV century. fragments of wooden buildings. About 200 buildings of the ancient settlement are exhibited in the memorial complex Brest Fortress on Hospital Island.
By the way, on the Hospital Island in Brest you can see the ruins of the Bernardine Monastery, next to which at the beginning of the XXI century. a modern women's monastery was built. On the territory of the main city museum there are exhibits of an exhibition of artillery pieces. All of them have been preserved since the Second World War and are located in the courtyard of the 5th Fort Museum.
Note to theatergoers
Fans of theatrical performances should go to the Brest Academic Drama Theater. Lenin Komsomol. Its history began in the distant war years, when immediately after the liberation of the city from the Nazis, a troupe of graduates of the Moscow Theater School was formed. The first performances were staged in clubs and cinemas, until 1947.the renovated theater building did not open.
The troupe's repertoire includes timeless classics and performances based on plays by contemporary authors.
You can buy tickets at the theater box office or on its official website. The stage often hosts performances of Belarusian and Russian opera stars and concerts of classical music.
Children's rest in Brest
A popular route for children's excursions in Brest and the surrounding area includes a visit to the estate of the Belarusian Father Frost. It is located in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. Grandfather in Belarus is called Zyuzya, and he prefers to live in Pushcha all year round, without leaving the estate even in the summer heat.
In addition to meeting with Belovezhskaya Santa, children will enjoy an excursion to the Museum of Nature, organized in the reserve. The aviaries next to the museum contain typical representatives of the local fauna - foxes, deer, lynx, roe deer and other animals.
Exotic birds are represented in large numbers at the ostrich farm in Brest. It will also be interesting for adults to go there, especially since the cafe at the farm serves ostrich steak.
Shopping and souvenirs
Belarus is famous for its linen products, which are also made in Brest. Where to go shopping to find inexpensive gifts for your family? Head to the city's main department store, commonly referred to as TSUM. Its floors display clothes and bedding, ethnic style linen bags and jewelry, as well as pottery and straw souvenirs. The assortment is complemented by embroidered paintings, pillowcases, towels and men's shirts. For those who love strong alcohol, the local Zubrovka will be a good present from Brest.
On Sovetskaya Street, you will find many specialized shops with Belarusian knitwear, and the famous dairy products and sausages will be gladly offered to guests at the central market.
Tasty points on the map are traditionally located in the historical part of the city. On the same Sovetskaya street, you can walk from one restaurant in Brest to another and taste the legendary hundreds of bulba dishes, complementing your order with hodgepodge, dark beer, mead and delicious pancakes.
