Minsk’s most famous neighborhood has long gained fame as one of the unique open-air museums. Similar fragments of the old city can be found in many megalopolises around the world. They are just as reverently preserved, carrying the living memory of the history, architecture and manners of bygone eras. The Trinity Suburb has become the city’s calling card. Its image adorns most of the advertising brochures and is included in sightseeing tours as a major architectural and historical landmark.
History of Trinity Suburb
The peculiarity of the area is considered a mix of trends and styles in the appearance of houses. This is not surprising, since the first of them were built more than 9 centuries ago. As time passed, new buildings appeared, peacefully neighboring the buildings of more venerable age.
The settlement began to be built on the hill of the river Svisloch, which is why it was often called the Troitsky Hill. The place was geographically advantageous, standing at the intersection of trade routes from Smolensk, Mogilev, Polotsk. The first buildings date back to the 12th century. The houses were small, wooden, and as the settlement expanded the construction of warehouses and stores began. The market, which became a central point of the city, began operating in the 16th century. The majority of the population was made up of craftsmen, merchants, and the military.
There are several versions of where the name Troitsky suburb came from. They are all related to the erection of religious buildings. Only some justify the name by the construction of the Holy Trinity Monastery, while others point to the appearance of the Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity. It existed for almost 400 years and burned to the ground in a massive fire in the 19th century. Other elements of the architectural ensemble were damaged along with it. Restoration began on the personal order of Alexander I. It was decided not to take the risk and to recreate the buildings according to the old drawings, but in stone.
During World War II and the subsequent changes in the appearance of the city, part of the neighborhood was rashly destroyed. Nevertheless, Trinity Suburb has preserved most of the historic buildings and is a unique monument, through the territory of which city residents and guests stroll with pleasure, unwittingly submitting to the unhurried and measured flow of time. Walks are successfully combined with a tour of the old facades and museums.
Museums of the Trinity Suburb
The basis of the historic center of the city is considered a quarter, located between Kommunalnaya embankment and Starovilenskaya Street. This is where Yanka Kupala and Maxim Bogdanovich used to stroll. For many, this becomes an added incentive to visit the attraction. In 2004, the basic concept and scope of work for the reconstruction of the Trinity Suburb, as the center of the historical and cultural sites of Minsk, was approved.
State Museum of the History of Belarusian Literature
The largest organization in the country in this area. The archives contain unique documents relating to history, development, political movements and events dating back to the 15th century. Opened in 1991. The main focus is on the works of Belarusian writers. Especially valuable exhibits are handwritten books of the 17th century, samples of iconography, author’s copies and manuscripts. In total, the vaults and the exhibition halls hold more than 50 thousand exhibits.
Maxim Bogdanovich Literary Museum
It is divided into several expositions devoted to the life and work of the writer.
Among the most popular excursions:
- Gymnasium Day;
- The magical world of batlake.
Thematic lectures and museum-pedagogical classes for junior and high school students are held.
Vladislav Dove Living Room
Unique collections of stage costumes, authentic samples of folk instruments, an interesting photo gallery are waiting for the guests. A number of posters and documents about the founding and operation of the theater are of interest. The first People’s Artist of Belarus Vladislav Golubok was the head of the theater company.
House of Nature
The museum is located in the building of the old synagogue of the 19th century. The Trinity suburb has become a worthy frame for these collections, as a walk through the streets of the quarter before entering the museum sets up a certain frame of mind. The exhibition is designed for visitors of all ages. In an accessible and entertaining form tells about the different animals and plants of the planet, with the support of native species.
Trinity Pharmacy
Jan David Scheibe succeeded more than 300 years ago in doing the nearly impossible. He received a special charter to open a pharmacy. It is beautifully preserved, as are the traditional paraphernalia of the time:
- A stuffed crocodile above the entrance, symbolizing longevity;
- jars;
- pharmacy scales;
- retorts;
- vials for ointments and mixtures.
How do I get to Trinity Suburb?
If the route starts from the center, you don’t even have to go anywhere. Trinity Suburb on the map is almost in the middle of the capital.
You can get the address from the travel agency. It is more convenient to get there by subway to Nemiga station or by ground transport, waiting at the bus stop for bus number 57 or trolleybuses 23, 40, 53.
Reviews of visits to the Trinity Suburb
Larissa, 39 years old:
In the morning we arrived in Minsk and went on a sightseeing tour of the city. The Troitskoye suburb impressed me with the atmosphere of antiquity and a kind of unhurried thoroughness. It was very interesting to walk around, to imagine in these streets important merchants and pharmacists rushing about their business. It is a pity that the time of the visit is limited by the scope of the tour. We will definitely come back here on our own.
Alexei, 43 years old:
I’ve wanted to visit an old pharmacy for a long time. Looking at the tools of treatment somehow even makes me not want to get sick. I was glad to see that medicine had made great strides forward. I was impressed with the building of the Museum of the House of Nature, the exposition itself also gave good impressions. Interesting and informative. Trinity suburb does look like a piece of antiquity surrounded by a modern metropolis. It’s hard to believe that it was the busiest place in town, considering the marketplace it serves.
