Overview:

: Stalin Avenue in Minsk is a major avenue that runs through the city center of Minsk. Named after Joseph Stalin, the former Soviet leader, the street is one of the most recognizable streets in Minsk. It stretches from the historic Red Square in front of the Minsk City Hall and government offices northward towards the National Library of Belarus. Along its length, it passes by many notable landmarks, such as the elegant Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Crown Plaza Shopping Centre, and the Palace of the Republic, a high-rise building which can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Apart from its historical and cultural significance, the street is also renowned for its vast array of restaurants, cafes and businesses. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Belarus
Prominent Features:

, Stalin Avenue is one of the most prominent features of the capital city of Minsk. It is one of the main thoroughfares of the city. The street is bordered with Soviet influenced buildings and Stalin-era statues. The avenue is also the site of various events and festivals, such as the Minsk International Film Festival. On the avenue, you will find many coffee or food joints, shops, bars, and other recreational establishments. Alongside Stalin Avenue, you will also find a number of public squares, churches, and other historic landmarks. The avenue is also the starting point for various walking tours of the city. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belarus.

History:

Stalin Avenue, located in the city of Minsk, is a major thoroughfare running almost the length of the city. Previously known as Proletariat Avenue (from 1921 to 1940), it was renamed in 1940 to honour Stalin's 60th birthday. The avenue originally stretched from the Principal Gate of St. Sofia Cathedral to the distant suburbs Sever and Aviordy. The street's namesake was once one of the most powerful figures in the Soviet Union, leading the Soviet people through a series of tumultuous times; as such, the street has become a symbol of Soviet control over the country. The avenue has been at the centre of several important events in Belarusian history. In 1952 it hosted a Red Square procession of the Soviet military to celebrate the third anniversary of the victory in World War II. In 1956, the so-called “war” between Soviet tanks and citizens of Minsk on Stalin Avenue ended in favour of the Soviet government. During the December 1986 Chernobyl disaster, people walked along Stalin Avenue to flee the contaminated region. In 1991, the avenue saw its largest rally to date, when the Belarusian National Republic Declaration of Sovereignty was read to the crowd by Maurycy Krapivy, a former dissident and National Front member. More recently, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, it was renamed to its current name, Independence Avenue. The street has been undergoing major reconstruction and renovation since 2017, setting the stage for more vibrant walking areas and transportation options. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belarus with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Stalin Avenue is the longest street in Minsk, stretching 5.25 miles (8.6 kilometers) from the railway station in the southwest to Gorky Park in the northeast. 2. It is lined by 576 trees and several historical monuments. 3. The street was created in the 1950s and was named “Stalinskoe Prospekt” in honor of Joseph Stalin. 4. It serves as the main avenue of Minsk and is the home to several important buildings, including the Nation's Palace, Minsk City Hall, and the Belarus State University. 5. During the Communist period, it featured a sculpture of Joseph Stalin standing on top of a pedestal. This sculpture was removed in 1991. 6. In 2020, a memorial was erected in honor of Minsk’s fallen soldiers during the Great Patriotic War. One of the historical monuments of Belarus, it tells the story of a bygone era