Belarusian State Museum of Folk Architecture and Life

The Belarusian State Museum of Folk Architecture and Life is an open-air museum with about 40 historic wooden buildings brought from different parts of the country. The collection includes farmhouses, churches, mills, and barns that are arranged across a large area.

The idea for the museum came about in 1908, but it was not established until 1976, after World War II had ended. By that time, many rural buildings had been saved and carefully moved to this site to create the collection.

The buildings show how rural families organized their homes and what mattered most in their daily lives, from family sleeping areas to kitchen spaces where food was prepared and shared. Visitors can see how the layout of rooms and the placement of objects reveal much about community values and personal practices.

The site is large and spread out, so comfortable shoes and rain protection are helpful when visiting in variable weather. Guided tours can help you understand the buildings better and move through the space in a logical order.

Some of the mills on the grounds still work and can grind grain when conditions are right. You can see how water or wind power turned the mechanical gears that made these mills operate.

Location: Shchomyslitsa rural council

Inception: December 9, 1976

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11:00-19:00

Phone: +375172905913;+375296978901

Website: http://etna.by

GPS coordinates: 53.83333,27.37417

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46