In the historical center of Minsk, at Liberty Square, stands the "City Scales" sculpture, installed in April 2014. This monument, created by sculptor Alexander Prokhorov and architect Sergey Baglasov, symbolizes an important historical event for the city—the acquisition of Magdeburg rights in 1499. The Magdeburg rights granted Minsk special privileges and obligations, including the standardization of measures and weights, which is reflected in this sculptural composition.
"City Scales" depicts a scene from the XVI-XVII centuries when a merchant could check the weight of purchased goods on city scales located in the Town Hall. The composition features three medieval inhabitants of Minsk: a seller, a buyer, and a scale controller. This scene highlights the significance of city scales in the trading practices of that time.
Interestingly, after the monument was installed, tourists began leaving coins on the scales, a tradition symbolizing the pursuit of financial well-being. This tradition began to develop after coins were introduced in Belarus in 2016 and continues to attract the attention of both locals and visitors.
The sculpture not only serves as a monument to historical events but also makes a significant contribution to the artistic decoration of Minsk's historical center. Its realistic depiction of trading scenes and attention to detail underscore the city's rich trading heritage and its development as an important trading and craft center during the Middle Ages.
