​​​ Lost Paradises Travels - Europe  

BELARUS - Minsk

Belarus was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until the Polish Partitions in the 18th century and over a hundred years of Russian Empire rule followed by seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR. Belarus gained its independence in 1991. Minsk is the capital city and is located on the Svislač and Niamiha rivers.

The city was 80% destroyed during World War II and the historical centre was replaced by Stalinist architecture, which favoured grand buildings, broad avenues and wide squares.

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