National Library of Belarus Minsk
Beautiful or ugly?
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!
About this spot
Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Minsk guide.
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Minsk
Zilber's ’’Science’’ – Coders of the past
Zilber's Sculpture (1975) in Minsk, ''Science'', is said to be the first sculpture in the world dedicated to coders & programmers...
By
Katia
Syrayezhkina
Hopscotching in Kašary – Canal wisdom
It's said that exploring the "Kašary" canal in Minsk can inspire you to find novel solutions to questions you need an answer to!
By
Katia
Syrayezhkina
Antonaŭski Park – The green gate to Traktarahorad
Antonaŭski Park is part of the Slepyanskaya Water System, Minsk's longest park complex and one of the largest in the world! It has it all.
By
Katia
Syrayezhkina
MON NOM – Coffee, melusines and more
MON NOM in Minsk is too cool to miss. Feels like an antique shop, inspiring from the start. Opens at 10 am, perfect for a day exploring Traktarahorad!
By
Katia
Syrayezhkina
Cafe 4 (Let it be) – Bread. Reimagined.
"Let It Be" in Minsk is a minimalist bakery that makes baked stuff with toppings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Also try their 'wine of the day'...
By
Ilya
Uglianitsa
Cafe 5 (Underdog) – Pizza and sparkling wine
"Cafe 5" in Minsk is a pizza place with a simple concept: Pizza and sparkling wine. You'd be surprised how well these two go together!
By
Ilya
Uglianitsa
Art-Belarus – Not just a gallery
Art-Belarus in Minsk is a historical and cultural project that has the biggest collection of Belarusian artworks, it also supports local contemporary art.
By
Katia
Syrayezhkina
Accidental Point – Music store and artist spot
"Accidental Point" in Minsk is a place dreamed up by a community of musicians. When it's not Saturday night, it's mostly quiet, calm and dreamy...
By
Ilya
Uglianitsa
Traktarahorad – A living monument to social realism
"Traktarahorad" is a historical district of Minsk originally intended for the workers of the Minsk Tractor Plant. The buidlings have interesting details...
By
Katia
Syrayezhkina
Trams 4 & 7 – Scenic city rides
Trams 4 & 7 offer equally nice scenic routes through Minsk! Hop on a tram, observe city life and travel back in time...
By
Katia
Syrayezhkina
Panoramic Elevator – Minsk from above
The "Panoramic Elevator" in Hotel Belarus in Minsk is a secret tip to see some of the city's best views over the river Svisloch and beyond!
By
Katia
Syrayezhkina
Minsk Observatory – A bit of cosmic romance
Minsk observatory (the only public one in Belarus) is by far my favourite place to spend a sleepless night out. A perfect alternative to bar hopping!
By