Baranovichi

Baranovichi is situated in the north-west of Brest Region 206 kilometers away from Brest and 138 kilometers away from Minsk. The city lies at the crossroads of several major motorways including international highways and railroads connecting it with Minsk, Brest, Volkovysk, Lida, Luninets and Slutsk.

Baranovich is a relatively young city. It was first mentioned in 1706 in a document related to the construction of Moscow-Brest rail line. The line was commissioned in 1871. In 1914 Baranovichi became the military capital of the Russian Empire that hosted the general headquarters of the Supreme Commander of the Russian army. Later the headquarters moved to Mogilev.

During World War I the city turned into a battle field, where in 1916 Russian troops conducted an attack that resulted in huge human losses. In 1921-1939 Baranovichi belonged to Poland. In 1924 there began the construction of Pokrovsky Cathedral with mosaics designed by famous artists Vasnetsov and Bruni.

During the Great Partiotic War Baranovichi hosted a branch of the fascist concentration camp Schtalag-337. Over thirty thousand people died in that camp. And in July 1942 fascists shot there three thousand Jews who were brought to Baranovichi from Czechia. Decades later there was built Urochishe Gay memorial.

Today Baranovichi is the second largest city in Brest Region. One of its major attractions is an open-air railways museum.

Other notable sights include Pokrovsky Cathedral, Holy Cross Day Cathedral (built in 1930, currently hosts a Dominican monastery), two catholic monasteries and five Protestant oratories, St Alexander Nevski’s Cathedral.

Baranovichi visitors often take picture of the giant Metallic Sparrow sitting on a 1.5-metre platform. The city residents jokingly nicknamed this giant metallic bird “the monument of the 21^st century”.

Every spring or summer Baranovichi hosts a festival of brass bands called Belarusian Fanfares. Another annual festival called Baranovichi Spring involves an arts contest whose participants (painters and graphic artists) compete in the nomination “My Home City”. Besides, Baranovichi is host to the International Youth Festival called Russian and Belarusian Youth to Enter 21^st Century Together.

There are two hotels, six travel agencies, a company that rents tourist equipment, five restaurants, 20 bars and cafes, a theatre, a cinema, three night clubs, dancing clubs, a billiards club, an Internet-cafe and a casino.

Baranovichi guests may also visit the nearby located towns of Ishkold, Polonechka, Stolovichi, Synkovichi, Mir, Nesvizh, Novogrudok, Slonim, whose famous architecture masterpieces may soon be put on UNESCO World Heritage List.

• Accomodation
  • Hotels
• Rehabilitation and recreation
  • Profilactic sanatoriums
• Architecture
  • Religion
  • Palaces and estates
  • Museums and art galleries
• Food