Southern part of the Oblast is occupied by unique natural and ethno-cultural land named Polesye. The main water artery of the Oblast River Pripyat with many tributaries flows here.

In order to protect the unique natural resources, 12 reserves, 29 protected natural monuments were established in the Oblast. The real pride of the Republic is the State National Park Belovezhskaya Pushcha, the unique forest land in the northwest of the Oblast. Total square of the Park is 87,6 thousand hectares with more than 900 species of plants. More than 60 species of animals, including the famous symbol of Belarus – European bison – reside in the Park.
It was here in Viskuli Village, where the leaders of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine signed the famous “Belovezha Agreement” that finished existence of the USSR. Now this “death site” of the once mighty empire is very popular with tourists.

Kamenyuki Village (Kamenets District) hosts Belovezskaya Pushcha Museum. Don’t miss an opportunity to see one of the Belarus national symbols – famous Kamenets Tower, widely known as Belaya Vezha (White Tower). This tower was built in the 12th century and still impresses with its design and elegance.

Territory of the Brest Oblast is rich in historical and cultural monuments. More than 120 old parks and estates, 2084 monuments of history and architecture are situated here. One of the most ancient is Berestye Archeology Complex with buildings of the 11-12th centuries. One of the most valuable history and architecture monuments is Catholic church in Ishkold Village (Baranovichi District) constructed in original Belarusian Gothic style, as well as Catholic church in Chernovchitsy Village (Brest District) in Renaissance style, monastery of Cartesian Order in Bereza town, St George church in Sinkevichi Village (Luninets District). Remnants of Sapegas’ Palace in Ruzhany (17-18th centuries) despite its dilapidated conditions create indelible impression – imposing columns of majestic facade, elegant galleries “embrace” the palace…

Brest is traditional “Western” gates of the country, the city with glorious centuries-old history and amazing present. The city was first mentioned in 1019. In 1390 it was the first Belarus city granted the privilege of self-government according to the Statute of Magdeburg. It was here in 1596, that the historical Brest Union, which conciliated and united Catholicism and Orthodoxy in Belarus, was concluded. In 1917 Bolshevik government with Lenin on its head signed “Brest Litovsk” Peace with Germany during the First World War. 

During the Second World War the city grew famous because of outstanding heroism of defenders of the Brest Fortress, which lately got the title “Hero Fortress”. Today “Brest Fortress Hero” is one of the most visited tourist attractions of the city. The braveness of Soviet soldiers, who first faced treacherous attack of Nazi Germany in the summer of 1941 and who kept defense – unbelievable in those conditions! – giving the country an opportunity to summon its strength – this braveness is truly legendary and deserves to be remembered forever. Look at red walls of the fortress, literally riddled with machine gun fire –  for more than 60 years they have served as a remind of heroes.

Modern Brest is a border city, vigorous and energetic. In 1996 free economic area was established here for the period of next 50 years. As a result, it has led to the considerable revival of business activity in the Oblast.

MINSK or Menesk, as the chronicles called Minsk in the year 1067, was founded on the banks of the Svislach River and the Niamiha River at the end of the 11th century as a result of movement from an older settlement (16 km from the present-day Minsk) on the Menka River, to which the city owns its name. Originally, it was a wooden fortress close to the Prince's yard that was enclosed with earthen walls and houses of townsmen, built over the territory within the walls. In the 12th century, with the first stone temple erected there, Minsk became the center of apanage principality separated from the Polatsk Land where the foundations of Belarusian statehood were laid.

Last time we finished the story about the walking tour around Minsk in one of the restaurants, offering national cuisine of Belarus. After having something delicious, we keep on walking and notice a two-storey building in the Rakovskaya Street that was a Sunday school in 1901-1906 organized by Ekaterina Izmaylovich, socialist revolutionary terrorist, who was later executed. In another building (number 17) in this street there was a sinagogue.

This part of Minsk has seen some truly devastating times under the nazi occupation. The region belonged to the largest ghetto of Europe, with 39 streets besieged by the German soldiers, and more than a hundred Jews taken prisoners. The Nazi thought that 1.5 square meter is enough for one person, that is why one small flat turned into home for 25-30 people. Only 13 Ghetto prisoners survived till the liberation of Minsk.