Description of the attraction
Alexandrovsky Square in Minsk was founded in 1836 and named after Alexander Nevsky. Now officially it is called simply "Central Square". The square has a popular, widespread name in Minsk - "Panikovka".
At the end of the 19th century, the bustling commercial city of Minsk began to develop rapidly. Unfortunately, the development was chaotic. There were a large number of spontaneously emerging markets in Minsk - dirty and unsafe. In 1836, the mayor Leopold Valentinovich Depalts came to power in Minsk. Depalz immediately set about improving the city and did it often at his own expense. He drew attention to the area called the New Market or Novomeiskaya - a dirty, overgrown with weeds and pitted with pits, a quadrangular wasteland used by peasants on Sundays as an agricultural and horse market. With his own money, Leopold Depalz leveled the area of the former wasteland and planted it with trees: lindens and maples, and moved the peasant horse fair outside the city. On the site of the New Market, a boulevard was formed, used by merchants for more noble trade.
In 1867, alleys were laid here and the boulevard began to acquire the features of a public garden. In 1869, at the entrance to the square, the chapel of Alexander Nevsky was consecrated, which was erected in honor of the deliverance of Emperor Alexander from danger after the attempt on his life by terrorist D. V. Karakozova. The chapel housed an icon of Alexander Nevsky. Unfortunately, the chapel lasted until 1929. Under Soviet rule, it was converted into a newsstand, and then completely demolished.
The most recognizable symbol of the Alexander Square is the Boy Playing with a Swan fountain. Its original name is Cupid and Swan. Author - T. E. Kalid, the famous metal sculptor. Similar fountains were cast and installed in many large cities in Europe. The fountain was opened in 1874 in honor of a significant event - the construction of a city water supply system with clean artesian water. Initially, the fountain was surrounded by bronze toads, from whose mouth water jets gushed, and fish and turtles swam in the pool.
At the end of the 19th century, Aleksandrovsky Square became a fashionable place for walks for wealthy citizens. A pavilion of artificial mineral waters was opened nearby. Hydrotherapy was fashionable among the educated and respectable public.
In 1890, according to the project of architects K. Vvedensky and K. Kozlovsky, the Minsk City Theater was built at the southern end of the park. The opening was attended by members of the imperial family. Now the theater is called the Yanka Kupala National Theater.
The most unusual public toilet building in the world is located in Aleksandrovsky Square. Urban legend says that the architect created an exact copy of the house of the person he harbored a grudge against. The toilet is built in the Empire style and is a true masterpiece of architecture.
In the post-revolutionary years, Alexandrovsky Square experienced many dramatic events, being the arena of the revolutionary struggle. During the Great Patriotic War, the square suffered at the hands of the fascist invaders. The fascists used the beautiful square for public executions. The monument to Anikeichik and Levin, erected on the site of the execution of members of the communist underground in 1979, testifies to these difficult times. During the Soviet era, festive demonstrations took place in Aleksandrovsky Square.
Alexandrovsky Square acquired its modern look after a major reconstruction carried out in 2006. Now it is a favorite resting place of Minsk dwellers and a tourist attraction with pleasure.
