Independence Square, Minsk, Square in Minsk, Belarus

Independence Square is a large public square in Minsk, Belarus, located along Independence Avenue. It is surrounded by important buildings such as the Government House, the National Assembly, Minsk City Hall, and the Red Church, and it has a metro station entrance and an underground shopping mall.

The square was laid out in 1933 by architect Iosif Langbard as Lenin Square, the main ceremonial space of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. It was renamed Independence Square in 1991 and underwent a major reconstruction between 2002 and 2006 that added an underground shopping center and changed the traffic layout.

The square is a common meeting point for locals, who often gather near the fountain or use the underground mall. Its name, Independence Square, reflects the country's sovereignty, and the mix of government buildings and public spaces gives it a formal yet accessible feel.

The square is easy to reach on foot or by metro, with a station entrance right on the square. It is a good starting point for exploring Independence Avenue, and the open space makes it simple to navigate even on busy days.

The square is larger than Red Square in Moscow, covering about 7 hectares (17 acres). Its underground level holds a three-story shopping center and a four-story parking garage, making it one of the few squares in Europe with such extensive underground facilities.