Overview:

Island of Tears, located off the bank of the River Svisloch in Minsk, Belarus, is a memorial dedicated to fallen soldiers of the Soviet-Afghan War. The memorial was established in 1985 and contains memorials, monuments, and sculptures that commemorate the soldiers who were killed in the war. The memorial is located on an island in the middle of the Svisloch river, hence its name. The memorial is open for visitors and admission is free. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Belarus
Prominent Features:

The Island of Tears (Остров Слез) is a memorial island in the middle of the river Svislach (Свислочь) in Minsk, Belarus. It lies close to the city’s old town (Старое Минское Городище), and the most prominent feature on the island is a tall monument dedicated to victims of the Afghan War (1937–1989). The monument was erected in 1988 and is made of white marble, topped by a pointed dome. It stands on a platform flanked by a pool of water with six fountains, and is surrounded by an open lawn with benches, gazebos, and sculptures. The monument was designed by the prominent Belarusian sculptor, A. Tsybulski, who also designed the Minsk War Memorial. The Island of Tears has become a place of pilgrimage for both veterans of the war and civilians, as well as a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Each year, on May 9th (Victory Day), the island is filled with people who gather to pay their respects and lay flowers in memory of the fallen. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belarus.

History:

The Island of Tears, or Zamkavaya Sali, is located on the Svislach River near Minsk, Belarus and was constructed in 1965. It is a memorial to commemorate the thousands of Belarusian soldiers who died during World War II. The island is sometimes also referred to as Berezina Island, in reference to a famous battle during World War II which took place at Berezina, Belarus. The story of the Island of Tears is one of sorrow and tragedy. During WWII, the Red Army suffered heavy losses in Belarus, with more than 1.3 million soldiers killed or wounded. Many of those soldiers never returned home, and the Island of Tears was created as a memorial for them. The island is a monument to the soldiers of Belarus who gave their lives during the war. It features a large granite monument in the shape of a coffin, with a soldier lying inside. Trees line the area, which is surrounded by a circle of stones and a freshwater fountain. The Island of Tears serves as a place of reflection and remembrance for the people of Belarus who lost their lives in WWI and WWII. It is still visited by Belarusians who remember the terrible price that their ancestors paid during the conflict. In recent decades, the island has become a symbol of reconciliation, and its statue has been visited by representatives of many countries in the region. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belarus with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Island of Tears, found in Minsk, Belarus, is a memorial to the 2,000 Belarusian soldiers who lost their lives in the 1990s during the Soviet-Afghan war. 2. The main part of the memorial is dedicated to the “Unknown Soldier” who symbolically represents the lives lost in the war. 3. The island also houses an obelisk-shaped monument with a flame that is lit every year on the anniversary of the Soviet-Afghan War. 4. Inside the memorial, there are several commemorative plaques with the names of those who died in the war. 5. In addition to the memorial, Island of Tears also features the Museum of the History of the Soviet-Afghan War, which houses artifacts and exhibits related to the battles fought in the region. 6. Every day in Island of Tears, there is an outdoor display featuring a military plane overhead. 7. Many people visit the Island of Tears throughout the year to honor the soldiers who were killed in the conflict. One of the historical monuments of Belarus, it tells the story of a bygone era