In Minsk there are over 40 pedestrian, bicycle and bus excursion routes to the places of historical and cultural heritage, numerous museums, theatres, exhibition galleries and other popular places of interest.
Among the most popular sightseeing guided tours in Minsk are "Minsk is the capital of the Republic of Belarus", "Evening Minsk", "Minsk ancient and modern (the past and the present of Minsk)", "Temples of Minsk", "Minsk and Sports".
Every fourth tourist of Minsk is the citizen of Russian Federation; then goes Lithuania 8, 6%, USA - 7, 2%, and Germany - 6, 4%.
Cultura
The Belarusian people are notable for their original culture which traces its roots back deep in the past. The Belarusian people have saved up an enormous spiritual wealth reflecting all variety of its intellectual, moral, aesthetic life. The Slutsk belts, a muti-coloured “kafla”, openwork “vycinanka” and wood-carving, creative works of Janka Kupala, Lakub Kolas, Vasil Bykau, painting pieces of Mark Shagal, Kazimir Malevich, Vasily Kandinsky and the Belarusian ballet are well-known features of the Belarusian contribution in the world culture. Belarusians created a unique multi-genre folklore which is considered one of the richest in the Slavic world. Belarusian art crafts are an integral part of the national culture. Craft-works of art made of rod, wood, straw, garments of flax original by its form and constructive idea are made by the Belarusian craftsmen.
Food and drink
Belarusian borshch, a soup made with beetroot, is served hot with sour cream.
• Other excellent specialities are filet à la Minsk and Minsk cutlet.
• Regional cooking is often based on potatoes with mushrooms and berries as favourite side dishes.
• Local dishes well worth trying are dracheny, a tasty potato dish with mushrooms, and draniki which is served with pickled berries.
• Mochanka is a thick soup mixed with lard accompanied by hot pancakes.
Minsk is the capital and largest city in Belarus, situated on the Svislach and Nemiga rivers. Minsk is also a headquarters of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). As the national capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is also the administrative centre of Minsk Region (voblast) and Minsk raion (district). It has a population of 1, 836, 808 inhabitants (2009).
The earliest references to Minsk date to the 11th century (1067), when it was a provincial city within the principality of Polotsk. In 1242, Minsk became a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and it received its town privileges in 1499. From 1569, it was a capital of the Minsk Voivodship in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was annexed by Russia in 1793, as a consequence of the Second Partition of Poland. From 1919–1991, Minsk was the capital of the Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic.
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