KGB headquarters, Minsk, Soviet intelligence headquarters on Independence Avenue, Minsk, Belarus
The KGB headquarters is a large building painted in pale yellow that occupies an entire block of Independence Avenue in the city center. It features neoclassical design elements including columns at the entrance and is surrounded by a protective perimeter wall.
Construction of the building was completed in 1947 and it immediately served as the headquarters for Soviet security operations in Belarus. It was built during the period when the Soviet Union was consolidating its control over Eastern Europe.
The site is named after Felix Dzerzhinsky, founder of the Soviet secret police, a choice that reflects the role this building played in state power. Local residents recognize it as a symbol of the state's presence in daily life and governance.
The building can be seen from the street along Independence Avenue and is easily accessible on foot from the city center. Visitors should note that this is an active government facility with security presence, so only the exterior can be viewed.
The pale yellow color of the building was not the original finish but was applied later, making it stand out visually on the avenue. Few other Soviet security buildings from this era remain in their original function, making this one particularly unusual as an active intelligence facility.
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