This 1980 Soviet postcard presents a view of the Svisloch River waterfront park in Minsk, featuring the architectural ensemble of Kamunistychnaya Street.
What is shown on the postcard
The image captures the calm waters of the Svisloch River reflecting the opposite shoreline. On the left, the monumental building of the Ministry of Defense of the BSSR (now the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus) stands out with its neoclassical portico topped by a red star. To the right, post-war residential buildings line Kamunistychnaya Street, including the distinctive silhouette of the “House under the Spire” at the intersection with Krasnaya Street. The foreground features a landscaped embankment with concrete parapets, steps leading to the water, and green park spaces.
Historical note
The development of this urban ensemble began in the post-war years under the master plan for the reconstruction of Minsk. The headquarters of the Belarusian Military District was built in the late 1940s (architect V. Gusev) using a pre-war foundation. The residential “House under the Spire” was completed in 1954 by architects L. Goldshtein, M. Livshits, and V. Isachenko, becoming a key landmark of the area. The Svisloch River channel here was widened and landscaped as part of the Slepyanka water-green system development.
Present day
Today, the architectural appearance of this panorama remains almost entirely preserved. The buildings along Kamunistychnaya Street are designated as mid-20th-century architectural monuments. The Svisloch embankment and the adjacent Yanka Kupala Park continue to serve as popular recreation areas, while the “House under the Spire” retains its iconic status as a signature view of Soviet-era Minsk.
Location (map)
Address: 1 Kamunistychnaya St, Minsk, Belarus
Coordinates: 53.909700, 27.564500
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus, Kamunistychnaya St, 1.
Questions and answers
- Which building is shown with columns and a star? It is the building of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus (former headquarters of the Belarusian Military District), constructed in the post-war years.
- What is the tower visible in the background on the right? It is the famous ‘House under the Spire’ located at the corner of Kamunistychnaya and Krasnaya streets, built in 1954.
- Where was this photograph taken from? The photo was taken from the Yanka Kupala Park on the opposite bank of the Svisloch River.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Minsk from 1980.
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