Visit the house-ship and feel the spirit of Polesie: how to relax in Pinsk for 100 rubles

Here is one of the largest concentrations of historical architecture in Belarus. Here come Nobel laureates, famous journalists, billionaires and people who invented modern television. The first president of Israel studied here. Here you can see the original paintings of Shishkin and Aivazovsky. It is called the pearl of Polesie. Do you know which Belarusian city we are talking about? The project “Rest for 100” in Pinsk.

Generally, Pinsk is one of the largest cities in the south of Belarus. The ancient cultural, spiritual and historical center has been known for more than nine centuries. The first written mention of it in the Tale of Bygone Years is dated November 5, 1097. At different times, the city was an influential region of states and has always admired the beauty and originality. Today it is considered the unofficial capital of Polesie and the second most preserved architectural monuments in Belarus after Grodno. The rich heritage, amazing nature and originality of the culture of local residents – Poleshuks – distinguish it from other settlements of the country. To get acquainted with all this, choose how to get to Pinsk from Minsk. There are several options. Most often, locals from the capital get by taxi. We are studying the proposals of carriers. The budget is 43 rubles in one direction. And we understand that with a budget of 100 rubles, this type of transport is not suitable for us. Fortunately, there are well-developed transport links and trains run several times a day. For tickets in both directions give 49 rubles 76 kopecks. Regional lines of business class reach in 4 hours and 11 minutes. This is 20 minutes faster than a taxi. The savings are substantial. On the road, we traditionally study the recommendations of local residents and literally in an hour we collect a list of five places that every guest of Pinsk must visit. And with a balance of 50 rubles 24 kopecks arrive in the heart of the Belarusian Polesie.

Getting to know the city starts from the station. After reconstruction, it is almost a new building. The previous one was erected in the 1930s, it was thoroughly remade after damage during the Great Patriotic War. And the first building was built in 1882, after the opening of the railway line connecting the city with Zhabinka. By the way, in the waiting room there is a photo retrospective of the station and the city of the early XX century.

Looking ahead, I give you a little advice. Take it with you to Pinsk Powerbank. Here, every building deserves special attention and everyone wants to capture on the phone camera. History in the city at every turn. Almost all buildings have signs with historical references. This is how we saw the alma mater of the first president of Israel and visited the temple where Yakub Kolas was married. As in any trip, we advise to explore the sights during walking. First, no detail will escape you. And secondly, it is a good opportunity to talk to locals and ask them about places that are worth visiting.

We reach the Railway to Pervomayskaya and go to the bridge through the majestic Pina. Here is the main street of Pinsk – Lenin. The locals call her a pedestrian. It became a place of traditional walks of citizens in the XIX century. Historical buildings, as well as the original design of each quarter make it the most beautiful street of the Old Town. The beginning of Pinsky Broadway is the famous “City of Masters”, and a walk opens a meeting with the bronze “Pinchuk” – a collective image of the indigenous inhabitant of the Pinsk outskirts. The sculpture was installed in 2017 to the 920th anniversary of the city by the project of Alexei Pavlyuchuk. Kaftan, wicker belt, straw hat with fields and polished to shine boots - everything suggests that Pinchuk lives in full prosperity and he also does not take a fee. At the same time, he not only has a characteristic pose and clothing, but also a symbolic position of his hands - a bent pinky. It's very symbolic. When Pinchuk was asked about something, he replied: “Firstly, I am from Pinsk, while bending my finger, and secondly, I will answer your question.” Thus, he proudly emphasized his origin and love for a small homeland. To make a joint photo with a characteristic hand position is already a mandatory program and one of the brands of Pinsk.

Another tradition, born relatively recently, is to taste a real Polesie burger. Fortunately, a cafe popular among citizens, where this street food is prepared, is located next to the Pinchuk sculpture. For a hearty lunch we give 19 rubles.

Well, having completed the first item from the to-do list, we move on to the second. From "Pinchuk", located exactly at the very beginning of the pedestrian, slowly make our Polesie "spatsyr" - so the locals call a walk along Lenin Street. After a few tens of meters, you can see the oldest building in the city – the former Jesuit Collegium of the XVII century. The collegium has become an alma mater for many prominent people. Now it houses the Belarusian Polesie Museum, which occupies two floors. His visit is a mandatory item of the program. Admission ticket for an adult is only 6 rubles. There is an opportunity to visit the exhibition halls with a guide. This will cost you 27 rubles. We chose the second option and did not regret it. In 45 minutes, the baggage of knowledge was replenished with curious facts about the nature, ethnography and history of Polesie. The pride of the museum is “Polessskaya Tretyakovka” – an art gallery, where more than two thousand paintings are collected, including portraits of historical figures from the collection of the Radziwill princes. All the paintings are originals. Including the works of Shishkin and Aivazovsky. And it turns out they're not accidental. The legendary Minister of Culture Ekaterina Furtseva personally gave the corresponding order. A few personal impressions: as a person who is fond of cycling, it was curious to look at a wooden bicycle poleshuk Ilyuchik.

Literally 200 meters from the museum are the Church of the Ascension of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Franciscan monastery. In its lush interior, the wonders of wooden carvings are presented, here the “Pinskaya Madonna” walks on the clouds and the residents of the Pinsk outskirts worship the newborn Jesus. Pride of the church is the second largest historical organ of Belarus. The church bell tower for a small slope is called the “Pinsk Pisa Tower”.

Butrimovic Palace is another item of the program that must be visited. It became the first brick civil building of Pinsk and was called “Pinsk Mur”. Built in a style transitioning from baroque to classicism. This palace was alternately owned by three famous Polesie families: Butrimovichi, Hordes and Skirmunty. The first owner is the reformer of Polesya Mateusz Butrimovic, thanks to whom Pinsk became an important port on the waterway connecting the Baltic and Black Seas. Here, returning from Parisian emigration, lived his famous grandson – artist and composer Napoleon Orda. This is evidenced by a small exposition located in the west wing of the palace. Local residents and numerous guidebooks say: to get a full picture of Pinsk, located in the junction of rivers and canals, you can only thanks to a boat trip, which will allow you to swim through the waters of several rivers in a short time: Pina, Strumen and Pripyat, admire the most beautiful southern panorama of the city, the natural beauty of Zarechye and learn the history of three flotillas associated with Pinsk. After walking along the pedestrian, we head to the river station building. This white and blue wooden building on the banks of the Pina is not to be confused with anything. Excursion ship "Pinsk" 1979 built, unfortunately, was in repair. But we believe that next time we will definitely make this exciting river trip.

But the resident of Pinsk Grigory Kosko managed to realize the dream of his childhood. His house-ship is a real tourist mecca. An unusual object is located on March 8. We were lucky to meet the owner of the frigate, who said:

- When I was ten years old, I thought I would build a ship. After 50 years, he fulfilled his dream. He served in the Navy and studied shipbuilding. And after retirement, he began building a ship right in his garden.

It turned out impressive - a length of 14.5 and a width of 4.5 meters. It was built by Gregory and his family in four years. On the first floor there is a hold and a galley. Inside, guests find themselves in the atmosphere of the deep sea. The scenery is made of putty and stones by hand. On the second floor is the deck. There was a place for a cabin with a trunk and treasure. The owner of the ship does not conduct excursions, but will not refuse hospitality to those who wish and will guide them along the corridors of the ship. Although, he admits, he already has the idea of conducting excursions, as well as another dream:

Pinsk stands on the river, here was the Dnieper flotilla. And I think we need to build a lighthouse about 25 meters high with an observation deck. I consulted with the citizens, and my idea was supported. People are ready to help with implementation. We need to develop tourism, attract people with something unusual. Now the place for the object where it could be put is determined.

And, as it turned out, the idea of the local resident did not appear out of nowhere. Grigory Kosko showed photos that show that once there was a lighthouse on Pina. We hope that all his dreams will come true and we will be able to see the lighthouse while walking around Pina again. And in memory of this trip, they acquired not a traditional magnet, but a particle of the gifts of Polesie. On the Pinsk pedestrian, in addition to traditional souvenirs, cranberries are sold. And we were lucky to buy half a kilogram for 4 rubles.

Travel - 49 rubles 76 kopecks

Visit to the Museum of Belarusian Polesie with a guide - 27 rubles

Lunch - 19 rubles

Cranberries - 4 rubles

Remainder - 24 kopecks sichevich@sb.by