Apr 4, 2025

National Library of Belarus Minsk

Beautiful or ugly?

"The "National Library of Belarus" in Minsk is a very controversial building - some say it's the ugliest, others the most interesting, but I love its vibes!"

One of the most controversial buildings of Minsk is the National Library of Belarus. A few ratings have listed it as the ugliest building, some others as one of the most beautiful and interesting. But you will never know until you see it on your own! It was built in 2006 and has the shape of a rhombicuboctahedron (can you pronounce from the first time?).

When it’s dark outside I like to visit the rooftop of the building – almost 74 meters high – to see the beautiful lights of the night city and check the exhibition there. To go up there, you need to buy a ticket and use the panoramic elevator where you can also enjoy an amazing view.

At night it also becomes a huge billboard. You can see bright advertisements in a radius of a few kilometers away from the library.

During daytime and opening hours, it’s cool to see the library inside with its glass floors, robotics, bringing books and lots of students and freelancers, working in there. It has an absolutely special vibe!

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Art & culture

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