The first mention of Brest as a settlement of artisans dates back to the beginning of the 11th century. Over the centuries, the settlement has repeatedly changed owners, was destroyed and rebuilt from the ruins. Here you will see architectural monuments of the Early Middle Ages, Polish churches, Orthodox churches, cozy streets and embankments.
The most famous landmark of the city, where all tourists certainly go, is the famous Brest Fortress. At the beginning of the Second World War, its defenders showed incredible heroism in an unequal battle with the German army. Today, the fortification houses a museum complex dedicated to the events of those years.
Only 65 km from Brest is Belovezhskaya Pushcha - a fabulous oak grove, where you can meet a huge Belarusian bison. You can go there after visiting numerous city museums and take a break from tiring excursions.
The best hotels and hotels at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles / day
What to see and where to go in Brest?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Brest Fortress
Fortified citadel, built on the site of the Brest Castle in 1833. The structure consists of a row of red brick barracks, two-meter-thick walls and a central citadel. In 1913, a second ring of defensive structures was erected. By the beginning of the First World War, the fortress was considered one of the most impregnable in Europe. On June 22, 1941, she took over one of the first attacks of the German troops. In 1965 she received the title of Hero Fortress.
Monument "Courage"
Monument to the defenders of the Brest Fortress, designed by the Moscow architect A.P. Kibalnikov and erected on the Ceremonial Square in 1971. The grandiose monument is 36 meters high and 54 meters long. It depicts a bust of a fighter with a decisive and frowning face against the background of the Soviet banner, ready to resist the onslaught of the invaders to the end. In front of the sculpture is the grave of 850 defenders of the fortress.
The Thirst Monument
Another memorial in memory of the defenders of the Brest Fortress, which makes a powerful emotional impression. On the first day of the siege, the Germans disabled the water supply, and the Soviet fighters were forced to fight in conditions of excruciating thirst, as the remaining water was used to cool the machine guns. In an attempt to get at least a few precious buckets of water in the river captured by the enemy, many soldiers died.
St. Nicholas Garrison Cathedral
Orthodox church on the territory of the Brest Fortress, built in the Byzantine style in the middle of the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, when Brest was part of Poland, it was turned into a church. During the Second World War, the building was badly damaged. In 1972 it was mothballed, and in 1994 it was returned to the believers. The restoration work continued for many years and was completed only in 2005.
Museum "5th Fort"
At the beginning of the 20th century, the brick fort was part of the fortifications of the Brest-Litovsk fortress. There were barracks, walls, a moat filled with water. During the years of the German occupation, warehouses were located on its territory. In 1995 the building was recognized as a cultural monument, in 1997 it was restored. In 2000, a museum dedicated to the history of the Brest Fortress was organized on the territory of the fort.
Museum of the Defense of the Brest Fortress
The museum is located in a restored former barracks building. It opened in 1956 on the basis of the Military Glory Room. The collection consists of materials and exhibits telling about the defense of the Brest Fortress: weapons, archival documents, photographs - more than 8 thousand items in total, placed in 9 rooms. The surviving defenders of the citadel took part in the creation of the exhibition.
"Berestye"
Archaeological exhibition founded in 1982 at the site of the excavation. The collection is based on finds found on the territory of the 13th century settlement, including residential and household buildings raised from a depth of 4 meters and restored according to their historical appearance. In "Berestye" you can learn a lot about the traditional way of life of the Slavs, look at objects that were in use many centuries ago.
Sovetskaya street
Sovetskaya Street is often called "Brest Arbat". After reconstruction in 2009, it has become a favorite walking place for the townspeople and a must-see for tourists. Along the alley there are picturesque facades of stone estates of the early 20th century, restaurants, flower beds, rows of wrought-iron lanterns, and small city sculptures. The length of the street is about 1.7 km.
Alley of forged lanterns
The alley is located on Gogol Street. Forged lamps appeared here in 2013. The peculiarity is that they are all meaningful - part reflects the plots of the writer's works, the other part - the specifics of the activities of the enterprise that sponsored the manufacture of the lantern. There are lamps in the form of a clock, a loom, a symbolic figure of a clown, an angel, a treble clef.
Winter Garden
The territory of the garden belongs to the Brest State University. A.S. Pushkin is his scientific platform, but the greenhouses are open for free visits. The plantings are divided into three zones: tropical, subtropical and desert. Exotic species grow under a glass dome resting on a base of metal and brick. This original building stands out favorably against the backdrop of the cityscape.
Monument to the Millennium of Brest
The monument was built in 2009 at the expense of the townspeople. It is a model of Brest, reflected in the historical images of the princes and ordinary people who once ruled here. Above them is the figure of a guardian angel. In 2011, a high relief was added to the monument, which depicts important milestones in urban history, as well as a fancy Art Nouveau fence that harmoniously complements the architectural composition.
Railway station building
Brest railway station is considered the largest transport hub in Western Belarus. It serves long-distance trains. The city is connected by direct railways with Berlin, Paris, Warsaw, Kiev. The station building was built in 1886. It resembles a palace in shape, therefore it is one of the popular attractions. During the First World War, the building was blown up, in 1953 it was reconstructed.
Railway museum
The exposition, located on the territory of 29 thousand square meters, right on the rails, is dedicated to everything related to railway construction, tracks and equipment. The museum opened in 2000. At the moment, his collection consists of several dozen samples: cars, locomotives, steam cranes, repair units. There is even a clock tower and a signal bell. All equipment is in good working order.
Museum "Saved Artistic Values"
The museum exposition is quite unique, as it consists of valuables confiscated at the local customs, which the intruders tried to smuggle across the border. Here you can see paintings, jewelry, icons of the 16th - 17th centuries, objects of decorative and applied art and other exhibits. The collection is constantly replenished thanks to the efficient work of the customs authorities.
Brest Academic Drama Theater
The dramatic scene was set in the 1940s while fighting was still going on on the western fronts. The creative life was born in difficult conditions, but the theater quickly became popular. Here they give not only dramatic performances, but also a symphony orchestra and musical performances. Every year the stage hosts the Belaya Vezha international festival.
Brest Regional Museum of Local Lore
Since 1948, the exposition of the museum was located in the building of the former Church of the Exaltation of St. Cross. Over time, the institution moved and acquired several branches, which included expositions located within the Brest Fortress. The museum funds contain more than 200 thousand items related to the history, archeology and ethnography of the region. Many of the exhibits are unique - they are several hundred years old.
Museum of the History of the City of Brest
The collection is housed in a mansion dating back to the early 20th century. It is completely devoted to the history of the city from ancient times to the post-war years. The exhibits occupy 4 halls with an area of 200 m². Among them are city coats of arms of different periods, works of contemporary artists, coin collections, old books, documents, statues, models, maps, household items and other interesting materials.
St. Nicholas Brotherhood Church
One of the most picturesque churches in the city, located on Sovetskaya Street. It was erected in 1904 at the Synod's own funds and donations from sailors and officers - participants in the Russo-Japanese War. Architecturally, the building is a cross-domed church in the Russian-Byzantine style with pronounced elements of Moscow architecture of the mid-17th century.
Holy Resurrection Cathedral
Orthodox church built in 1995-98, built in honor of the anniversary of the Victory. In terms of size, it is the largest in Brest and one of the largest in the whole of Belarus. Inside, up to 5 thousand parishioners can be simultaneously. The cathedral was erected in the neo-Russian style, typical for church construction in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. In 2001, a bell weighing 400 kilograms was hoisted on the bell tower of the church.
St. Simeon Cathedral
Temple of the XIX century, an architectural monument of the Russian-Byzantine church style. The building is a five-domed church. The side towers and the central drum are mounted on a quadrangle, one of the sides of which has a semicircular shape. The domes are covered with gold leaf; a clock is placed on the central tower. The façade of the cathedral is painted light green and decorated with wall paintings.
Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
A functioning Catholic church, built in the middle of the 19th century. The building was built in classical style. After the end of the Second World War, a local history museum was placed within its walls, at the same time it lost some of the decorative elements of the facade. Since 2002, divine services have resumed in the church. As a result of long-term reconstruction, the historical appearance of the building was restored.
Trinity Church in Chernavchitsy
Catholic church of the 15th century, located about 18 km from Brest in the agricultural town of Chernavchitsy. It was built in the Gothic and Renaissance styles. From the outside, the structure is somewhat reminiscent of an impregnable fortress with thick walls. For a long time the church belonged to the Orthodox diocese, in 1918 it was returned to the Catholics. In Soviet times, there was a hospital and a school here.
Estate of the Nemtsevichs
An architectural complex of the 18th century, built in the Baroque style. It was erected for the Nemtsevich family, from where Julian Ursyn, a public figure and one of the founders of the constitution of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, came out. The estate is surrounded by a park created around the same time. Once upon a time, it had all the elements of landscape design - ponds, gazebos, alleys, but nothing has survived to our time. On the territory of the estate itself there is a museum.
Brest Park of Culture and Rest
Brest Park was laid out at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, several hundred trees and more than 4 thousand bushes were planted. For the entertainment of the public, a stage and a restaurant with a veranda were built. Today, this place successfully continues to function as a recreational area, at any time of the year, receiving visitors. There are rides, playgrounds and cafes here. Events for children are held in the park every month.
Belovezhskaya Pushcha
Biosphere reserve and national park located on the border of Poland and Belarus. It is the remains of a relic forest that covered the entire territory of Europe in prehistoric times. About 1000 species of trees, shrubs and grasses, up to 600 species of mushrooms, more than 200 species of mosses grow within it. The largest population of bison lives in Belovezhskaya Pushcha.
