Vitebsk is one of the oldest cities in Belarus. He survived several wars, but miraculously preserved important architectural monuments. Here you can visit the house of the avant-garde artist Marc Chagall and see the palace where the French Emperor Napoleon celebrated his birthday. We tell you what to do in a small town with a big history.
Content
- How to get there
- Where to stay
- What to do
- Where to eat national food
- Where to drink coffee
- What to bring
Main
- Currency: Belarusian ruble.
- Time difference with Moscow: no.
- Visa: Russians only need an internal passport to travel to Belarus.
- Bank cards: in many places you can pay with Russian MIR cards.
How to get there
Vitebsk is located near the border of Russia and Belarus. Therefore, it is faster to get here by land than to Minsk.
By plane. There is an international airport in Vitebsk, however, there are no flights from Russian cities to it yet.
You can fly to Minsk from Moscow or St. Petersburg, and then take a train or bus to Vitebsk. The flight will take 1 hour and 30 minutes.
By train.The most convenient way to come to Vitebsk is from Moscow or St. Petersburg. Traveling from 8 to 12 hours is an excellent choice for a night train, which allows you not to waste time during the day.
By bus. You can get from both Russian capitals — it takes an average of 9 hours to drive. There are comfortable buses with a coffee machine, restroom and wifi on board.
By car. You can go to Vitebsk by car to continue your journey through Belarus. For example, go to the nearest nature reserves and see bison. The distance to Vitebsk from Moscow is 520 km, and from St. Petersburg is 640 km.
Vitebsk is located near the border of Russia and Belarus. Photo: Uladzik Kryhin/Shutterstock.com
Where to stay
Prices are in Russian rubles — suddenly there will be confusion, after all, there are Belarusian rubles.
«Hostel H.O.». A budget option is a roof over your head in the very center of the old town. The reviews of the hostel are good — a score of 8.2 on Ostrovok.ru . There are different accommodation options in rooms for up to 12 people. The cost per night per person starts from 476 rubles.
The Eridan Hotel. The classic hotel in the city center is suitable for lovers of vintage interiors. For coffee lovers, there is an opportunity to drink a cup in the morning — Eridan is located next to the Luna coffee shop. Night — from 2928 rubles.
The Eridan Hotel.
Boutique hotel “Smart Vitebsk“. An aesthetic boutique hotel in a two-storey building next to the city zoo. There are rooms with attics and balconies — in the warmer months you can contemplate the leisurely life of a small street in the center of Vitebsk. The price per night starts from 6445 rubles.
Apartment “PaulMarie On Kirova 9/16“ with a balcony between the train station and the embankment is not a dream, but a reality! The convenient location of the apartment will allow you to put your things right away and go to conquer the cultural capital of Belarus. And these apartments also have a Top Stays quality mark. Prices — from 2823 rubles.
The Luchesa Hotel. The only hotel in our selection that is not located in the center. Choose Luchesa if you come to Vitebsk for business purposes or if you want to get off the usual hiking trails. Prices start from 2942 rubles.
The Luchesa Hotel.
Even more options are on Ostrovok.ru:
What to do
Vitebsk was considered the unofficial cultural capital of Belarus until 2010. Now this title is transferred from one city of the country to another. But nothing has changed for the locals, because Vitebsk is a city of artists. Marc Chagall, Kazimir Malevich and El Lissitzky lived and worked here at one time. The spirit of those times is immortalized in museums, street art and galleries of the city.
The Marc Chagall House Museum
The famous avant-garde artist Marc Chagall spent his teenage years here — his father built this house. To delve deeper into the history of Chagall’s life, you can read his autobiographical book “My Life” — in it he mentions this house, among other things.
Now people come here to see how Marc Chagall and his family lived — inside you can see household items of the XIX–XX centuries.
The famous avant-garde artist Marc Chagall spent his teenage years here — his father built this house. Photo: S.Tatiana/Shutterstock.com
Marc Chagall Art Center
The art center building was built at the end of the XIX century, which is already a landmark for Vitebsk, because most of the city was destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. About 300 graphic works by Marc Chagall are collected here — this is a unique place for Belarus, because there are no more museums with the artist’s originals in the country.
Museum of the History of the Vitebsk National Art College
Do not be afraid of the long name — this is one of the best museums in Belarus. Previously, this building housed a school where Marc Chagall, Kazimir Malevich, El Lisitsky and other avant-garde artists worked.
The museum is multimedia — art is closely intertwined with the history of the city. And also on the granite floor there is a poster by El Lisitsky “Beat the whites with a red wedge”.
The museum building is a mansion that was built before the revolution and miraculously survivedThe Great Patriotic War.
Previously, this building housed a school where Marc Chagall, Kazimir Malevich, El Lisitsky and other avant-garde artists worked. Photo: Tatsiana Filchankova/Yandex.Maps
Graffiti in the style of UNOVIS
The drawings on Marc Chagall Street immediately catch your eye — they are created on the walls of nearby buildings, you definitely will not miss them. These graffiti are a direct reference to paintings by artists who worked here — don’t be surprised when you come across graffiti called “Suprematist Painting. A flying airplane.”
UNOVIS (“Affirmers of New Art”) is an avant-garde art group created in Vitebsk by Kazimir Malevich in 1920. The group was engaged in the transformation of the art of that time. It lasted only a few years, but it became a significant milestone in the history of the world avant-garde.
A great idea to get into the Russian avant—garde is to take a tour of the Museum of the History of the Vitebsk National Art School, and then find all the graffiti on Marc Chagall Street. The museum is located here.
Governor’s Palace
It is interesting to see this building because in 1812 the French Emperor Napoleon stayed here. Every day he took walks around Vitebsk from here and even celebrated his birthday here.
It is interesting to see this building because in 1812 the French Emperor Napoleon stayed here. Photo: Elena Ch./Yandex.Maps
We are planning a trip to Belarus
If you have time only for Minsk and the surrounding area, it is enough to stock up on a city guide (we recommend our article about the capital of Belarus), and for a long run through the beautiful places of the country there is our overview text “What to see in a week”.
Where to taste the national cuisine
Restaurant “Cornflowers”
“Cornflowers” is an excellent choice when you want national Belarusian cuisine at a reasonable price. There is one establishment of the chain in Vitebsk, which is still very popular in Minsk. In the capital on Friday evening, people can even stand outside waiting for a free table.
Cornflowers are guaranteed to be tasty and relatively inexpensive. Draniki with a machanka — 512 rubles., leaves with an apple — 256 rubles., a glass of kvass — 56 rubles.
“Cornflowers” is an excellent choice when you want national Belarusian cuisine at a reasonable price. Photo: Vitaly/Yandex.Maps
Vitebsk tavern
An entourage place in the old town. It’s nice to come here at sunset, going down a small staircase to the tavern hall. The atmosphere is complemented by a long corridor and halls that are located along it.
Prices in the institution are above average, so a simple portion of pancakes will cost 534 rubles, and a hodgepodge — 478 rubles. There are also rolls and a large selection of steaks on the menu.
Where to drink coffee
Luna Coffee Shop
Special coffee, sophisticated interior and own bakery. People come to Luna for service, pastries and drinks at the level of Moscow and St. Petersburg. If you like an exquisite format and minimalism in the design of the space, then it’s definitely worth going in.
A small cup of butch-bru for 141 rubles and a basket with chocolate for 98 rubles will help you recharge and relax between museum runs.
Special coffee, sophisticated interior and own bakery. Photo: Dima S. & Dima S./Yandex.Maps
Coffee shop “Dreamers”
A special coffee shop, perfect for neon lovers. In the evening, the room is filled with purple light, which is visible even from the street. Here you can take beautiful photos for social networks, relax after a long walk and drink a good coffee.
The Dreamers prepare classics, original drinks and an alternative — the menu is minimalistic, but the choice is good. Cappuccino will cost 127 rubles, a large butch-bru — 141 rubles, and a small cocoa — 112 rubles.
What to bring
Souvenirs from the Museum of History of the Vitebsk National Art College
The museum has a large collection of local souvenirs inspired by the avant-garde, for example, very tiny easels with works by avant-gardists. You can also find magnets in the form of small stools, on the likes of which students and teachers of the college sat in the distant 1920s.
The museum has a large collection of local souvenirs inspired by the avant-garde, for example, very tiny easels with works by avant-gardists. Photo: Natasha Gorbunova & Natasha Gorbunova/Yandex.Maps
Candy factory “Kommunarka”
Sweets from this manufacturer can be found in almost every supermarket in Belarus. Sweets with the local names “Belarusian” and “Belovezhskaya Pushcha” will be an interesting souvenir. The second ones are not only classic, but also with different fillings — for example, with sea buckthorn or applesauce.
Antiques
Vitebsk residents are advised to go in search of rarities to an antique store called “Antique”. It is located in the very center of the city, near the Church of the Resurrection of Christ.
In the “Antique Shop” you can find various little things like badges and antique coins, as well as a gramophone or a painting.
Vitebsk residents are advised to go in search of rarities to an antique store called “Antique”. Photo: Yandex/Yandex.Maps
Vitebsk is a great option for a short trip, because the city is small, and the main attractions can be visited in one or two days, and impressions will last for a long time.
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Cover photo: nodff /Shutterstock.com