Things to Do in Church of Saints Simon and Helena

The Red Church dominates Independence Square with blood-red brick walls that photographs can't capture properly. Officially called the Church of Saints Simon and Helena, this early 20th-century Catholic landmark rises in neo-Romanesque towers against Minsk's Soviet skyline. Built during the Russian Empire, it survived Stalin's atheism campaigns and now anchors a city that won't apologize for its complex identity—Belarusian, Russian, and Soviet all at once.

Minsk's restaurants mix traditional Belarusian dishes with international options that work together. You'll eat machanka (pork stew) and kolduny (meat dumplings) alongside decent sushi and Italian dishes in the same neighborhood. The Red Church area offers upscale dining while Nemiga district leans toward craft beer and trendy bistros. Traditional meals cost $15-25 per person, international cuisine runs slightly higher.

May through September delivers the best weather for walking around the church and central squares. Summer brings festivals and outdoor events, though July and August pack with domestic tourists who know what they're doing. Winter visits work if you can handle serious cold—the Red Church looks impressive against snow, but temperatures drop well below freezing with short daylight hours.