Minsk is a city of about two million people — one of the largest capitals in Eastern Europe. Independence Avenue is its spine, connecting the oldest parts of the city to the newest. If you walked the whole street without stopping, it would take you about three hours.
The buildings along the avenue are very grand, with tall columns, wide doorways, and decorative stonework. Many of them were built in a style called 'Stalinist architecture', which is known for its huge scale and symmetrical shapes. Standing between them can feel a little like being a small person in a very large world.
Minsk is also famous for its clean streets and wide open spaces. Parks and squares open up between the buildings, and in summer the fountains along Independence Avenue are switched on and families come to cool off beside them. In winter the avenue is decorated with lights and there are skating rinks nearby.
The avenue passes through several large squares where you can see important city landmarks: universities, government buildings, big department stores, and the national circus — children love that one. The city has a very efficient metro (underground railway) if the 15-kilometre walk feels too far!