Hidden Gems of Belarus: Unmissable Museums Even Seasoned Travelers Haven’t Explored

Hidden Gems of Belarus: Unmissable Museums Even Seasoned Travelers Haven’t Explored

“When in an unfamiliar city, visit a museum,” advises journalist and traveler Yulia Volchek. Yulia once realized that the best way to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a new city and discover its most interesting places is through local museums. Over the past two years, Yulia and her partner have visited numerous museums across various cities in Belarus. She shared her most fascinating and unexpected findings with us.

Discovering Belarus Through Its Museums

Until recently, I wasn’t a frequent museum visitor. My experience was similar to many others: school trips, occasional excursions with colleagues, and a few random visits during travels. Why visit a museum in the summer when there are so many other enjoyable alternatives, like lounging on the beach with a book, taking a walk in the forest, or simply sitting on a pleasant café terrace? That’s what I used to think until I developed a desire to explore Belarus more thoroughly.

This change in approach transformed my travels. I no longer sought just entertainment but a deeper immersion in the local culture. I realized that museums greatly enhance such experiences. Now, when we arrive in a new city, our first stop is the museum. There, we learn something entirely new or delve deeper into the city’s history. Often, this leads us to adjust our initial itinerary or even replace some destinations.

Sometimes, it feels like we are the only ones prompting museums to open their halls and turn on the lights. In contrast, other museums are so crowded that you might have to wait in line to take a photo. I often see discussions about whether museums should educate or entertain. I believe they should do both.

Historically, western Belarus has been more tourist-friendly. However, despite the richness and diversity of this region, there are undervalued places in the east and south of Belarus. That’s why I will focus more on museums from these areas. See what appeals to you, imagine yourself there, and if you also want to learn more, go ahead! You have a whole month of summer ahead. By the way, we travel without a car, so you can reach each of these cities and museums by public transport.

Southern Belarus: Polesie

Turov, Local History Museum: See a Real Mammoth Tusk, City Coats of Arms, and Unique Structures

Address: Turov, Kirov St, 21

The most interesting part of the museum is the hall displaying the coats of arms of various Belarusian cities. They look like intricately designed tiles: large, with raised elements and painted in bright colors. The objects on them seem to come alive: the aurochs from the Turov coat of arms slyly smiles at you, and the arrow from the Pinsk coat of arms appears ready to hit its target. You must see them.

Additionally, the museum houses a real mammoth tooth, tusk, and bones! This always fascinates children. By the way, this single-story red building used to be an auxiliary school.

I was particularly interested in the headgear worn by married women from Turov and David-Gorodok in the 18th and early 20th centuries, known as “galovachki.” The headgear has a complex structure, consisting of several parts: the “galovachka” itself (the hard part), a cap, “rabushki” (another type of fabric), and several other fabric parts draped over the back. The patterns and colors had symbolic meanings. Overall, the museum’s collection includes many national costumes, towels, and fabrics in the national style.

This place is perfect for finding inspiration. We visited on a hot day. In such weather, the staff opens the door on the opposite side of the museum. I stood among these Polesie structures, feeling the wind blowing through the room, watching it rustle the towels hanging from the ceiling…, and at that moment, I began to understand the spirit of Polesie.

Turov, Nature Museum: Observe Waders and Appreciate the Country’s Vastness

Address: Turov, Leninskaya St, 127

This museum is an ode to the nature of Polesie and is conveniently located in one of Turov’s hotels. If you’re staying there, it would be a shame not to visit. The museum belongs to the Pripyatsky National Park and is dedicated to the flora and fauna of the southernmost region of Belarus. I was intrigued by the displays of enormous insects—beetles and butterflies. But most of the museum’s two floors are filled with bird exhibits, including various species of waders that are found almost exclusively in this area—on the Turov Meadow. The main hall features many birds and animals, with their stuffed displays arranged in scenes. The museum information states that the animals were not hunted for these displays but were already deceased when collected.

You might also enjoy the information about the different soils of Polesie. They are conveniently displayed: poured into special demonstration flasks mounted on the walls.

Children will definitely enjoy this museum: it will be both educational and interesting. But even without children, studying information about herbs, water bodies, and nature reserves of Belarus in a calm environment, you will discover a lot of new things. I was amazed at how rich our nature is! And the idea of Belarus being small no longer holds when you see the number of rivers and lakes in our country. You definitely won’t be able to explore everything in one summer!

Pinsk, Museum of Belarusian Polesie: Enjoy the Beauty and Feel the Breath of Eternity

Address: Pinsk, Lenin Square, 22

Continuing to explore Polesie, you can head to Pinsk. It seems that Pinsk is greatly underestimated as a city where you can spend a day or even a whole weekend. After all, it is called the capital of Belarusian Polesie. And the city lives up to this title: two rivers—the Pina and Pripyat, a pedestrian street, charming central districts, a theater, and a breathtakingly beautiful church. The capital of Belarusian Polesie has a corresponding museum. It is located in the building of the former Jesuit collegium, dating back to the 17th century.

The museum is situated in the city center—right on the square—and should be your first stop due to the atmosphere of the building itself. Wandering through the hall that tells about the crafts and trades of the Pinsk region, a different world opens up for us—people who did not grow up by the river. There are many fishing gear and accessories, all indicating that the rivers were the basis of people’s lives. The exhibition shows how the peasants’ lives revolved around the water bodies. After visiting this hall, a walk along the embankment of the Pina River takes on a new meaning. After all, there used to be a lot of shipping on the river, both industrial and civilian.

I spent a long time in the hall dedicated to the urban life of the early 20th century. There is a lot of rare furniture, and you want to take a selfie in the mirrors of many cabinets—this creates beautiful frames almost like in paintings.

Moving from hall to hall, you can see a 12th-century sarcophagus! It truly impresses: looks very heavy and raises many questions. For example, who was lying there, or how it was delivered to the museum. One of the most interesting halls, in my opinion, is the picture galleries. However, the staff who oversee the halls do so very diligently. It’s hard to relax there: one of the conditions was not to take pictures of the paintings with phones. Although we follow the rules, I personally couldn’t resist taking a memory in the form of a painting by Yudal Pen or a portrait of Kristina Radziwill, signed by D. Grassi. The picture gallery also honorably displays a painting.