Staryya Darohi offers several cultural perspectives. The Starodorozhsky Historical-Ethnographic Museum brings together ethnographic exhibits, reconstructed rooms and art collections; other attractions include the Anatoly Bely Art Museum, an active wooden church and a historic water tower. This makes it possible to distinguish between material culture, art, religious history and architecture when planning your trip.
Museum and Historical Collections
The ethnographic section of the Starodorozhsky Historical-Ethnographic Museum explores the material and spiritual culture of the Belarusian Sakuny. The exhibition includes original items more than 100 years old. Another perspective is offered by the permanent exhibition “History of Roads and Postal Services”: spread across three halls, it recreates a postmaster’s office, a smithy and an inn. Original cultural objects are thus presented alongside reconstructed rooms covering various aspects of everyday life and transport.
The collections include paintings by I. N. Stasevich, works by Belarusian graphic artists and medallists A. Kashkurevich, E. Tikhonovich, S. Gerus and S. Gorbunova, as well as wooden sculptures by the carver I. Lisuro. Exhibitions, presentations, master classes, lectures and guided tours are held in the exhibition hall. If you plan to attend a tour or event, check the dates in advance.
Art and Weaving Traditions
The Anatoly Bely Art Museum in Staryye Dorogi has a distinctive architectural layout: four two-storey buildings are joined under one roof. The museum has about 500 square metres of exhibition space and eight themed halls. The building’s design, approximate floor area and number of halls each describe a different aspect of the museum.
At district level, weaving traditions are another cultural focus. The Starodorozhsky District is considered the home of Rukhove carpets, which have been included on the list of intangible cultural heritage. The district is also known for its weaving traditions. These are preserved and developed at the Starodorozhsky Craft Centre.
Church and Historic Buildings
The wooden Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Staryye Dorogi is active. It was built between 1991 and 1993. A Way of the Cross was brought to the church grounds, where it was welcomed by numerous parishioners and pilgrims from neighbouring communities. The church’s construction history and religious significance are thus distinct aspects of the site within the community context.
The Staryye Dorogi water tower was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and is part of a tourist sightseeing route. It dates from considerably earlier than the wooden church, built in the early 1990s—a clear chronological difference between two buildings with different functions.
Practical Information
The Waterman sculpture stands on the slope of the river Solyanka embankment. As of May 2026, safe access to it was practically impossible; check local conditions again before visiting.
Part of the Wider Travel Destination
In the wider travel destination of Minsk Region, Dudutki has its own focus: the Museum of Belarusian Rural Culture presents numerous national crafts live. Visitors can also taste cheese made directly at the local cheese dairy; availability of the tasting offer may vary.
Discover more destinations: Novy Svieržań, Tarasava, Baryssau, Njaswisch, Smoĺnica, Halica, Pavelkovo, Schodsina.
Back to the wider travel guide: Minsk Region.
