Andrei Halias

Zero Kilometer of Belarus is a commemorative sign that symbolizes the starting point of all roads in the Republic of Belarus. It is installed in the center of Minsk on <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/80/description">October Square</a> and represents a granite pyramid adorned with bronze cartouches and medallions. This monument was erected in 1998 during the reconstruction of the square and has become a symbol of the country's transportation system, linking history and modernity.

The history of Zero Kilometer dates back to the 18th century, when Minsk became part of the Russian Empire after the second partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1793. At that time, the city's roads were being organized, and regular postal communication began in 1795. Mileposts were installed on postal routes, and the "zero milestone" was located near the Main Post Office — the reference point for all provincial roads. For many years, Zero Kilometer remained near the Main Post Office, but in 1998 it was moved to October Square.

The monument itself is made of granite, brought from Portugal. The pyramid symbolizes strength and eternity, and its shape also resembles ancient Egyptian pyramids, which have always been associated with wisdom and stability. On the sides of the monument, there are bronze medallions with a map of Belarus' roads, the Latin saying "The road is life," verses by Yakub Kolas, and an inscription about the beginning of Belarus' roads. At the base of the pyramid are plaques indicating the distances from Minsk to the largest cities in the country and the capitals of neighboring states.

One of the unique features of the monument is that each direction on the plaques corresponds to the cardinal points. For example, information about the distances to Moscow, Mogilev, and Bobruisk is placed on the eastern side, while Warsaw is on the southwest side. This not only enhances the monument's symbolism but also makes it convenient for tourists, who often use it as a landmark.

Zero Kilometer in Minsk has become a landmark for both locals and tourists. Residents of the capital often arrange meetings here, while visitors to the city are keen to find the distances to their hometowns on the monument. This monument is not just a geographic point from which Belarus' roads are counted, but also an important element of Minsk's cultural and historical heritage.

Comparing Minsk's Zero Kilometer with similar markers in other countries, one can note that such monuments exist in many cities around the world. However, each of these monuments has its unique history related to the culture and traditions of the country.

Today, Zero Kilometer on October Square has become an important part of the tourist route through Minsk. It blends harmoniously with the square's architecture, not obstructing the view of the city's main attractions, such as the Palace of the Republic and <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/recreation/parks/49/description">Alexandrovsky Square</a>. The monument fits perfectly with the historical context, preserving important aspects of the past while adding a new dimension to the city's landscape.

Thus, Zero Kilometer of Belarus is not just a commemorative sign. It is a symbol of the beginning of all the country's roads, embodying both the historical roots and the modern connection of Minsk with other cities and countries.

白俄罗斯零公里 是一个纪念标志，象征着白俄罗斯共和国所有道路的起点。它位于明斯克市中心的 <a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/80/description">十月广场</a>，由装饰着青铜浮雕和徽章的花岗岩金字塔构成。该纪念碑于1998年在广场重建期间竖立，成为该国交通系统的象征，连接着历史与现代。

零公里的历史可以追溯到18世纪，当时明斯克在1793年第二次瓜分波兰-立陶宛联邦后成为俄罗斯帝国的一部分。那时，城市的道路正在整顿，1795年开始定期的邮政通信。在邮政线路上安装了里程碑，而“零里程碑”位于邮政总局附近——这是全省道路的起点。在许多年里，零公里一直位于邮政总局附近，但在1998年它被迁移到了十月广场。

纪念碑本身由从葡萄牙运来的花岗岩制成。金字塔象征着力量和永恒，其形状也类似于古埃及的金字塔，象征着智慧和稳定。纪念碑的四面装有白俄罗斯道路地图的青铜徽章、拉丁格言“道路就是生命”、雅库布·科拉斯的诗句和有关白俄罗斯道路起点的铭文。在金字塔的基座上安装了几块石板，标明了从明斯克到该国主要城市及邻国首都的距离。

纪念碑的一大特色是每个方向的指示牌都对应着四个方位。例如，到莫斯科、莫吉廖夫和博布鲁伊斯克的距离信息放置在东边，而到华沙的信息则在西南侧。这不仅增强了纪念碑的象征意义，还为游客提供了便利，他们经常将其作为地标。

明斯克的零公里已成为市民和游客的地标。首都居民常在这里约会，而城市的游客则兴致勃勃地寻找纪念碑上指向他们家乡的距离。这个纪念碑不仅是白俄罗斯道路的起点，也是明斯克文化和历史遗产的重要组成部分。

与其他国家的类似标志相比，明斯克的零公里也有其独特的历史，和国家的文化与传统紧密相关。

如今，十月广场的零公里已成为明斯克旅游线路的重要组成部分。它与广场的建筑风格和谐融合，不会遮挡主要景点的视野，如共和国宫和 <a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/recreation/parks/49/description">亚历山大广场</a>。纪念碑完美结合了历史背景，既保留了过去的重要方面，又为城市景观增添了新的维度。

因此，白俄罗斯零公里 不仅是一个纪念标志。它象征着该国所有道路的起点，既体现了历史根源，又反映了明斯克与其他城市和国家的现代联系。