Andrei Halias

House of Government of the Republic of Belarus is one of the largest and most significant buildings in Minsk, playing a key role in the administrative life of the country. Located on <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/49/description">Independence Square</a>, this majestic structure, built between 1930 and 1934 according to the design of the renowned architect Iosif Langbard, became a striking example of the Constructivist architectural style and an important symbol of post-war Belarus.

The House of Government is the largest public building in Belarus, with a volume of 240,000 cubic meters. Its massive size harmonizes with the surrounding urban landscape, creating a monumental effect while maintaining elegance and ease of perception. The building was designed to become the central architectural dominant on the square, setting the direction for the development of Minsk's city center.

The National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, the House of Representatives, and the Council of Ministers—all these vital state institutions are housed within the walls of the House of Government. It is also home to the Presidential Library of the Republic of Belarus, emphasizing the building's cultural and intellectual significance. The House of Government has become the center of the political and administrative life of the country, combining the functions of executive and legislative power.

The project of the House of Government, presented by Iosif Langbard, was recognized as the best in a nationwide competition held in 1929. At that time, Minsk did not have a master development plan, and its central districts were densely built. Due to the complexity of building in the city center, a site in the western part of Minsk, previously occupied by low-rise wooden houses, was chosen for the construction of the House of Government. The construction was carried out almost entirely by hand—at the time, the country faced a severe shortage of construction machinery, cement, and metal. The only technical device was a shaft lift built to raise bricks and other building materials. These difficulties did not prevent the timely completion of the construction, making the House of Government one of the most recognizable buildings in Minsk.

The building has a strict geometric shape, with its side wings forming a ceremonial courtyard, and in front of the main entrance stands the <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/50/description">monument to V.I. Lenin</a>. This monument, created in 1934 by sculptor Matvey Manizer, depicts Lenin giving a speech to soldiers of the Red Army as they depart for the Western Front. The monument was a symbolically important part of the architectural composition of the building and its surroundings, emphasizing the monumentality and historical significance of this place.

During World War II, the House of Government was used by the German occupation authorities. The Germans planned to destroy it before retreating by mining the building, but the actions of Soviet troops and partisans prevented its destruction. After the war, the Lenin monument was restored according to the original drawings, and the building itself was renovated.

The interiors of the building also deserve attention. Prominent artists and sculptors of that time were invited to decorate it. For example, the famous Soviet artist Isaac Brodsky created several paintings and portraits that adorned the interiors. Ceiling murals and the foyer of the meeting hall were painted by artists I. Frenk and M. Lebedeva. Young Belarusian sculptors, including Z. Azgur, A. Bembel, A. Orlov, and A. Glebov, participated in the building's decoration.

House of Government of the Republic of Belarus is not just an architectural structure but an important part of the country's history and cultural heritage. It symbolizes the continuity of power, strength, and resilience and is a landmark that attracts the attention of both locals and visitors to the capital. This unique Constructivist monument continues to be the heart of the state's life in Belarus and one of the key attractions in Minsk.

Today, the building continues to perform its functions, remaining the administrative center of the country, where the Parliament of Belarus holds meetings, and where central executive authorities and other state institutions work. The House of Government continues to draw attention with its majestic architecture and historical significance, making it a must-see for anyone interested in the history and culture of Belarus.

白俄罗斯共和国政府大楼 是明斯克最大、最具重要性的建筑之一，在国家的行政生活中起着关键作用。位于<a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/49/description">独立广场</a>，这座宏伟的建筑于1930至1934年间根据著名建筑师约瑟夫·朗巴德的设计建造，成为构成主义建筑风格的典型代表，也是战后白俄罗斯的重要象征。

政府大楼是白俄罗斯最大的公共建筑，体积达240,000立方米。其庞大的体量与周围的城市景观和谐融为一体，既创造了纪念碑式的效果，又保持了优雅和视觉的轻盈感。该建筑旨在成为广场的核心建筑，指引明斯克市中心的发展方向。

白俄罗斯共和国国民议会、众议院、部长会议等重要的国家机构都设在政府大楼内。同时，这里也是白俄罗斯共和国总统图书馆的所在地，凸显了该建筑的文化和知识价值。政府大楼成为了国家政治和行政生活的中心，结合了行政和立法权的功能。

约瑟夫·朗巴德提交的政府大楼项目在1929年举行的全苏竞赛中被评为最佳设计。那时，明斯克还没有总体发展规划，中心区域密集建造。由于市中心建筑的复杂性，政府大楼的选址位于明斯克西部，原先这里是低层木质建筑。建筑施工几乎全靠手工完成，当时国家缺乏建筑机械、水泥和金属。唯一的技术设备是一个用来提升砖块和其他建筑材料的矿井升降机。这些困难并没有阻碍工程按时完工，政府大楼最终成为明斯克最具辨识度的建筑之一。

建筑物呈现出严谨的几何形状，两侧翼楼形成了一个礼仪庭院，而主入口前矗立着<a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/50/description">弗拉基米尔·列宁纪念碑</a>。该纪念碑由雕塑家马特维·马尼泽尔于1934年创作，描绘了列宁在红军士兵前往西部战线时发表演讲的情景。纪念碑作为建筑及其周围环境中象征性的重要部分，突出了此地的纪念性和历史意义。

在伟大卫国战争期间，政府大楼被德军占领并使用。德军计划在撤退前炸毁这座建筑，并对其进行了布雷，但苏联军队和游击队的行动阻止了建筑的毁灭。战后，列宁纪念碑按照原始图纸被修复，建筑本身也得到了修复。

建筑的内部装饰也值得注意。许多当时的著名艺术家和雕塑家受邀参与装饰。例如，著名的苏联艺术家艾萨克·布罗德斯基创作了多幅绘画和肖像，装饰了内部空间。会议大厅的天花板壁画和大厅的装饰由艺术家I.弗伦克和M.列别捷娃完成。许多年轻的白俄罗斯雕塑家也参与了建筑的装饰，包括Z.阿兹古尔，A.贝姆贝尔，A.奥尔洛夫和A.格列博夫。

白俄罗斯共和国政府大楼 不仅仅是一个建筑结构，更是该国历史和文化遗产的重要组成部分。它象征着权力的延续、力量和韧性，也是一个引人注目的地标，吸引着本地居民和来访者的目光。这座独特的构成主义纪念碑仍然是白俄罗斯国家生活的核心之一，也是明斯克的主要景点之一。

今天，这座建筑仍然在发挥其功能，继续作为国家的行政中心，白俄罗斯议会的会议在此举行，中央执行机关和其他国家机构在此工作。政府大楼因其宏伟的建筑和历史意义继续吸引着人们的注意，是所有对白俄罗斯历史和文化感兴趣的人必看的地方。