Freedom Square

Freedom Square is a central plaza in Minsk where the historic City Hall building stands and major streets branch outward. The space features a rectangular layout surrounded by structures from different periods that define the urban character of the area.

After a major fire in the late 1500s, the area was rebuilt following Renaissance planning principles. This restructuring established the foundation for how the central city district is arranged today.

The square serves as a meeting place where locals pass through or gather throughout their day. The Bernardine Monastery complex gives the space a spiritual and architectural presence that shapes how people experience it.

Start from City Hall to orient yourself, then explore the surrounding streets at your own pace. Cafes and shops nearby remain open throughout the day, making it easy to rest or grab something when needed.

During renovation work on the monastery complex, handwritten letters from a Bernardine friar dating to the 1860s were discovered in an attic space. These personal documents offer rare glimpses into the daily life of the religious community during that era.