Country of Forests and Lakes
Belarus is a hospitable and interesting country for travel. Even in a short period of time you can see a lot. Belarus is famous for its wonderful nature, delicious and hearty cuisine, a sanatorium and resort base and offers various options for sightseeing and recreation.
Belarus is called the country of thousands of lakes and the “blue” region. There are many amazing corners of nature, ancient forests and endless fields. And sometimes you are just amazed, realizing that this pristine luxury has spread to some 50 km from a noisy city.
Excursion tours around Belarus are very diverse and low prices. It is better to start dating this country with a tour of Minsk, continue visiting the famous castles of Mira and Nesvizh, and, of course, do not forget to get acquainted with the mighty bison in Belovezhskaya Pushcha…
Draniki
Draniki – pancakes from raw grated potatoes. Draniki are considered the hallmark of Belarus. Method of preparation: raw potatoes are grated on a grater, adding flour, salt and downcomer, and mixed, and then fried. They are served on the table with fried onions, sour cream and fried lard.
Beetroot
Beetroot – cold soup, which is prepared on the basis of beet decoction. The tradition of making cold soups is inherent exclusively in Belarus (Russian and Ukrainian cuisine borrowed it for themselves). Main ingredients: Beets, kvass, cucumbers, onions, radishes, greens, eggs, vinegar, salt, sour cream.
Babka
Babka is a traditional Belarusian dish of grated potatoes, filled with fried lard, meat and onions and baked in the oven. The table is served hot with sour cream and/or milk.
Kulaga
Kulaga is a Belarusian dessert. Kulaga is a sweet dish of fresh berries, in the preparation of which different forest berries are used: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries. Served with pancakes, white bread and milk
Krambambulya
Krambambulya is a national alcoholic drink. Crambabula is a tincture on honey and spices. Drunk both cold and hot. It is believed that in addition to its main purpose, krambabula has healing properties. And this is not surprising, because the list of ingredients contains honey, spices and herbs. .
The gift bears cultural significance: it is time to eradicate the idea that in Belarus, as a guest of an eastern neighbor, you can only drink strong colorless alcohol. Balm can be added to tea, coffee and even ice cream. The surest way to quickly find him is to go to any Crystal store.
Zephyr from Bobruisk is one of the unofficial wonders of the world. It really melts in the mouth, if, of course, you buy it fresh. This great confectionery product is incredibly useful. It is even included with the list of recommended food for children. The fact is that the basis of marshmallows is ordinary apple puree, which makes marshmallows a natural product. Marshmallow is also a low-calorie product, because a whole pack of this product contains fewer calories than six chocolates!
You won’t find that anywhere else! And in Belarus it is produced in one small private production. In Belarusian, this berry is called “crane.” It was believed that cranberries can grow only in the swamps where cranes are found, which will treat it. The berry itself is extremely useful. For our ancestors, this berry was a real vitamin treasure! It contains a huge amount of useful substances – vitamins C (as much as in lemon), V1, V2, V5, as well as potassium, iron and phosphorus. Cranberries have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic substances.
A drink with the funny name Krambambulya has been known to Belarusians since about the 18th century. The recipe for this ancient drink includes vodka, honey and a whole set of spices – cinnamon, cloves, pepper, nutmeg, etc. As you know, spices in those distant times were sometimes more expensive than gold, so only rich people – gentry (Belarusian nobles) and merchants could afford Krambambul. Today in stores you can find this traditional Belarusian drink in regular and gift packages. Cost from $4.5 to $10. It is sold in large supermarkets and stores located in the tourist zone, for example, in GUM.
Linen is one of the symbols of Belarus. From Belarus you can bring bed kits and tablecloths made of natural flax, napkins, towels, aprons. In addition to traditional products, there are souvenir torbs with Belarusian symbols and embroidery, ethno-style bags, cosmetics, handbags for phones. An interesting souvenir will be a doll of linen or a heater for a kettle, they also carry linen clothes. The choice is large – from products from natural unprocessed canvas, to modern models of linen with elastane. Clothing is of good quality, affordable, can compete with well-known European brands.
Pots, vases, toys, magnets, beer glasses, mugs and other clay products are traditionally in demand. Clay dishes, for example, have decontaminating properties, as well as simply beautiful and pleasant to use. In souvenir shops you will find a huge number of ceramics of the highest quality! In the skillful hands of masters straw turns into works of art. Inexpensive braided hats, figures of animals and people, paintings, caskets are sold in any souvenir shop. Belarusian people make original earrings, pendants, bracelets from straws. Oberezhi are in particular demand among tourists. It is believed that mysterious constructions, which are called spiders, entangle misfortunes and diseases, take in the negative. Handmade lovers will appreciate wooden caskets, bison figures. You can buy wood chips that resemble lace. Panels, vases, salaries for icons, crosses, cigarettes, and written devices are born in the hands of masters. Skan is used only in Belarus, crafts are not cheap, but they are worth it.
1067
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3
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1874
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2
million
History
Minsk was founded in 1067, at that time it was first mentioned in the annals. This means that Minsk is older than European cities, such as Moscow and Stockholm.
Nature
The Minsk Botanical Garden occupies the 3rd place in Europe in area after the Royal Botanical Garden Kew in London and the park in Madrid. Here, rare plants are collected on an area of 96 hectares
Fountains
The city has more than 100 fountains. The oldest fountain in Minsk was first launched in 1874 and is still a decoration of Alexander Square.
The National Library
The National Library of Belarus, an ultra-modern building that residents of Minsk call “chupa-chupsa,” is one of the most modern libraries in Europe. The building of an unusual shape is so large that 2 football fields can fit on each floor.
Population
About 2 million people live in Minsk. And this is one and a half times more people than in all of Estonia.