Andrei Halias

Liberty Square in Minsk is one of the most significant historical places in the city. Located in the <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/1/description">Upper Town</a> by the Svislach River, it has served as Minsk's administrative, commercial, and cultural center for centuries. Since the 16th century, the square has undergone numerous changes in appearance, names, and functions while maintaining its importance.

At first, it was simply called the Market, later the New Market, and in the 17th century, it became known as the High Market. Over time, the square was referred to as High Square, and by the 19th century, it was known as Cathedral Square due to the churches and other religious buildings located here. This name officially appeared in documents in 1866. After the 1917 revolution, it received its modern name—Liberty Square.

Liberty Square played a key role in the city's life. In the 18th–19th centuries, fairs, parades, and public events were held here. In 1901, a monument to Emperor Alexander II was erected in the square, but it was removed during World War I due to the threat of advancing German troops. During the revolutionary years, a monument to the "Revolutionary Soldier" briefly stood in its place. In 1921, a new obelisk appeared, but it was soon dismantled as well.

During World War II, the square, like many parts of Minsk, was heavily damaged. After the war, the city center was rebuilt, which also changed the appearance of the square. Its historic development shifted towards Independence Avenue, and the square lost its former significance.

The main architectural monument on Liberty Square is the <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/3/description">Minsk Town Hall</a>. Its history dates back to 1499 when Minsk was granted Magdeburg rights for self-government. Initially, the building was wooden, then replaced with a stone one. Over the centuries, the town hall was rebuilt and restored after fires, but in 1857 it was demolished by order of the tsarist authorities. In 2004, the town hall was restored based on old drawings, and now it symbolizes the history of city self-government.

Several other historic buildings have also been preserved in the square. Among them is the Archcathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in the early 18th century, which was part of the Jesuit monastery. This monastery played an important role in the cultural and educational life of Minsk. You can also see remnants of monasteries and old trading rows in the square, and in the surrounding areas—the former Bernardine Monastery and the Przezdziecki estate.

The history of the square is closely tied to political events. In 1906, an assassination attempt on the Minsk governor Pavel Kurlov, organized by revolutionaries Ivan Pulikhov and Iosif Izmailovich, took place here. This was one of the vivid episodes of the revolutionary movement in Minsk.

During the Soviet era, the square lost its status as the city's main center. It was used for parades and demonstrations. Many buildings were rebuilt or demolished, and the historical appearance of the square changed. However, some symbols of the past, such as the fountain installed after the war, have been preserved.

Today, Liberty Square is a tourist destination where people come to enjoy the atmosphere of old Minsk. The Minsk Town Hall, restored in the early 21st century, has become a popular spot for tours and various events.

Liberty Square remains an important symbol of the city's cultural heritage. The architectural ensemble, formed in the 16th–18th centuries, still preserves traces of the past. Walking through the square, one can feel the spirit of history and enjoy the unique atmosphere.

The square is easily accessible by foot from the Nemiga or Oktyabrskaya metro stations.

自由广场 是明斯克最重要的历史地点之一。它位于 <a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/1/description">上城</a> 的斯维斯洛奇河畔，几个世纪以来一直是明斯克的行政、商业和文化中心。自16世纪以来，广场的外观、名称和功能多次变化，但其重要性始终未变。

最初，它被称为市场，后来称为新市场，到了17世纪，它被称为高市场。随着时间的推移，广场被称为高广场，到19世纪，由于这里的教堂和其他宗教建筑，它被称为大教堂广场。这个名字于1866年正式出现在文献中。1917年革命后，它获得了现代名称——自由广场。

自由广场在城市生活中发挥了关键作用。在18至19世纪，广场上举行了集市、阅兵和大型活动。1901年，亚历山大二世皇帝的纪念碑在广场上竖立，但在第一次世界大战期间，由于德国军队进逼的威胁，该纪念碑被拆除。在革命年代，“革命战士”的纪念碑曾短暂立于其位。1921年，出现了一个新的方尖碑，但不久后也被拆除。

二战期间，广场与明斯克的许多地方一样遭受了严重破坏。战后，城市中心开始重建，广场的外观也随之改变。其历史建筑移到了独立大道，广场失去了昔日的意义。

自由广场的主要建筑纪念碑是 <a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/3/description">明斯克市政厅</a>。其历史可追溯到1499年，当时明斯克获得了马格德堡自主管理权。最初，建筑是木质的，后来被石质建筑取代。几个世纪以来，市政厅多次重建和修复火灾后的损坏，但在1857年，根据沙皇政府的命令被拆除。2004年，市政厅根据旧图纸得以重建，现已成为城市自治历史的象征。

广场上还保留了几座其他历史建筑。其中包括建于18世纪初的圣母玛利亚总主教座堂，它曾是耶稣会修道院的一部分。该修道院在明斯克的文化和教育生活中发挥了重要作用。在广场上还能看到修道院和古老商贸街的遗迹，在周边地区可见到昔日的圣伯尔纳丁修道院和普热杰茨基庄园。

广场的历史与政治事件密切相关。1906年，这里发生了一起由革命者伊万·普里霍夫和约瑟夫·伊兹梅洛维奇组织的对明斯克总督帕维尔·库尔洛夫的暗杀企图。这是明斯克革命运动的一个重要事件。

在苏联时期，广场失去了作为城市中心的地位。它被用于举行阅兵和游行。许多建筑被改建或拆除，广场的历史外观发生了变化。然而，战争后安装的喷泉等过去的象征仍得以保存。

今天，自由广场是一个旅游胜地，人们来到这里享受老明斯克的氛围。明斯克市政厅于21世纪初修复，已成为旅游和各种活动的热门地点。

自由广场 仍然是城市文化遗产的重要象征。16至18世纪形成的建筑群至今保留着过去的痕迹。漫步在广场上，可以感受到历史的气息，享受独特的氛围。

从“涅米加”或“十月”地铁站步行即可轻松到达广场。