The story of the 1812 crossing of the Berezina, churches built in different periods and football at the Borisov Arena give Barysaw a range of attractions for visitors. When planning your stay, it is worth first deciding what interests you most: museums and architectural history, football or an activity on the water. You can then tailor your holiday apartment search to the kind of stay you have in mind.

Museums and the History of the Berezina

The Barysaw United Museum has six exhibition halls covering the history of the Borisov region, with a focus on the War of 1812. The updated exhibition displays restored uniforms and headgear, edged weapons and firearms, as well as portraits of Russian and French generals. The arrangement of individual exhibits may change.

The museum is the only repository of a copy of Wojciech Kossak and Julian Falat’s panorama depicting Napoleon’s crossing of the Berezina in 1812. Museums in Barysaw also include the Museum of Soviet Military Equipment and museums run by local industrial enterprises.

In the wider area around Barysaw, a memorial complex commemorates the crossing of the Berezina associated with Napoleon’s campaign of 1812. In Studenka, the sites of the two bridges built at the time are marked on the left bank of the river. The Barysaw Batteries include a viewing platform, an obelisk commemorating the soldiers and mortars.

Churches and Historic Architectural Styles

The stone Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Barysaw was built in the Late Classical style; its construction was completed in 1823. The Holy Resurrection Church is a 19th-century stone church in the retrospective Russian style. It has three apses and nine domes.

An Old Believer church is housed in an 18th-century wooden building and is one of the few Old Believer churches in Minsk Region. The churches therefore differ in their period of construction and materials, as well as their architectural design.

Estate, Tower and Railway Station

The estate in Barysaw has a restored late-19th-century interior. Exhibits include books, reproductions of paintings, engravings and archival photographs. The estate museum organizes historical quests, presentations and social events; individual activities may vary.

Another notable structure is the hyperbolic tower in Barysaw: designed by Vladimir Shukhov, it was built in 1927 and stands 27 metres tall. The surviving railway station building dates from 1914. It was the only two-storey station building along the 200-kilometre railway line between Minsk and Orsha.

Water Route and Football

The Gaina–Berezina water route runs from Logoysk to Barysaw. After 105.5 kilometres, it ends at a bay next to Barysaw railway station. Water conditions and portages may vary; take this uncertainty into account when planning.

The Borisov Arena is a major local football attraction and the home stadium of FC BATE Borisov. It has more than 13,000 seats and meets UEFA Category 4 stadium requirements. Guided tours are available; they may include a visit to the football team’s changing rooms, the dugout and the VIP lounge. Check before travelling whether a tour is available on your chosen date.

There are different themes to choose from: museums and churches explore history and architecture, while the water route calls for different planning. If you are planning an overnight stay in Barysaw, this focus can also help structure your search for a holiday apartment.

Discover more destinations: Novaye Pole, Voŭma, Apčak, Kalodziščy, Ostrovo, Tarasava, Baravoe, Rusaki

View the wider travel overview: Minsk Region.