Brest is the centre of the Brest region and the counry's gateway. Those who come through are welcomed with genuine Belarusian hospitality. From this city the most importan motor and rail roads leading to Russia and the West begin. The city was first mentioned in 1019 as a rather large settlement on the Bug river inhavbited by craftsmen and warriors. In 1831 the residents were moved to the Muchovets river where a new settlement was built. Old houses on the Bug river were pulled down and a fortress was built in the place. The fortress was destined to become famous worldwide. In june- July 1941 a heroic defence took place. The walls were collapsing, the bricks were melting, the earth was burning but the men stood their ground againt artillery, bombs and explosives of the Nazi troops. To come to Brest means to look through the pages of courage and heroism ever known in history.
Population -300,000
City tour of Brest
During the tour you will see the most famous sights of Brest such as:
— St.Nickolas Cathedral, an architectural monument of the early 20th century. It marked its 100th anniversary in 2006;
— Resurrection Cathedral, the largest in Belarus. 50, 000 people can attend the service;
— bronze bust to Adam Miscevich, polish poet, native of the Brest region;
— bust to Petr Klimuk, native of Belarus, Soviet cosmonaut;
— visit to “Berestye” museum. The museum was made on the place of archeological excavations. The remains of the ancient town were discovered. All the territory of excavations is covered with a protective roof made out of glass, concrete and metal through which narrow streets and log dwelling houses and public buildings of the 12th century can be seen. While walking in the museum you will also discover other objects discovered during excavations such as ceramic tiles, votive crosses, ancient coins;
— visit to museum of “Rescued Art Values” The exhibits of the unique collection displayed in the museum were confiscated by the Brest customs officers from the smugglers trying to take all these pieces of art abroad illegally. The collection of ancient icons and pictures is worth exhibiting in the best galleries of the world;
— monument commemorating the heroic deeds of many Brest border guards.
Brest Fortress Memorial
The memorial was opened on September 25, 1971 and consists of the Fortress itself, well preserved and conserved ruins and separate highly symbolic monuments. You enter the Fortress through an impressive Gate made out of red granite shaped as a five pointed star. You walk along a long path to reach Square of Ceremonies with the building of the Museum of the Brest Fortress Defense and the remains of the White Palace on one side and on the other side an impressive sculpture “Thirst” and the Gates leading to the bridge from the latter the border between independent Belarus and Poland is well seen. The Compositional Centre of the Memorial Complex is the major Monument «Courage» by name which is made of concrete and is 33.5 meters high. It features carvings reflecting episodes of the heroic defense: “Counterattack”, Meeting of Commanding officers”, “The Last Grenade”, Machine Gun Men”. There is a 100 meter bayonet obelisk next to the sculpture with the eternal fire burning in front of it. There are tombstones bearing the names of the fallen heroes, although a word «unknown» is seen quite often. Your tour to the Brest Fortress will not be complete without a visit to the Museum of the Defense of the Brest Fortress. Walk just a few meters to find yourself in the museum.
Tel: + 375 20 15 01
Fax: + 375 162 20 00 12
Address:Brest-Fortress, Brest, Brest reg. 224018
State Establishment the Museum of the Defense of the Brest Fortress
The museum is accommodated in the building of the former barracks. It was opened 50 years ago and during its existence it has been visited by 20 million people from 140 countries of the world. There are ten halls with the exhibits reflecting the unprecedented heroism of the defenders of the fortress as well as all Belarusian people. There are photographs and exhibits telling about the history of the construction of the fortress and the buildings on its territory as well as the history of the creation of the museum.
Tel: + 375 162 20 15 01
Fax: +375 162 20 00 12
Address: Brest-Fortress, Brest, Brest reg. 224018
Belovezhskaya Pushsha State National Park
Beloveshskaya Pushcha is what is left from the primeval forest which in the 12th century stretched from the Baltic sea to the Bug river and from the Order to the Dnieper. It is a unique ancient forest which is remarkable for the variety of wild and plant life. Here one can come across gigantic 44-50 meters high fur trees, 40-50 meters high pine trees. Gorgeous oak trees impress by their sizes and age. One thousand of them are from 300 to 700 years old. Pushcha is home to such rare animals as the European deer, the wolf, the lynx, the badger and the otter. The pride and the symbol of Beloveshskaya Pushcha is the European bison which has been reintroduced in this unique virgin forest. The most ancient bull is now the largest wild animal in Europe. Its length ranges from 3, 5 to 3, 75 meters, height up to 1, 8 meters, an average weight is 800 kilograms, and males reach 1, 2 tons in weight. Looking clumsy a bison runs adroitly among the trees & swims very well. Pretty powerful it throws up logs with its horns, running short distances develop a speed up to 50 kilometers per hour. Pushcha is one of a few places in the world where 680 species of this remarkable animal live in natural conditions. In 1992 Beloveshskaya Puscha was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. The National park is visited by thousands foreign and Belarusian tourists. The tour includes visit to Nature Museum and an excursion into the forest to see animals in open air cages. During the tour one can also visit Grandfather’s Frost Residence, home of the Belarusian Santa Claus.
Tel: +375 01631 56 267
Fax: +375 01631 56 398
Address: Kamenyoki village, Kamenets district, Brest reg. 225063
Web-site: www.npbp.brest.by
