Minsk Victory Square, A Monumental Tribute to Heroism

crossing of Independence Avenue and Zakharau Street

Introduction

"Victory Square" is a representative square in the centers of many former Soviet countries, symbolizing the victory of the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front in World War II. Located at the intersection of Independence Street and Zakharau Street in the center of Minsk, Victory Square (Belarusian: Пло́шча Перамо́гі, Russian: Пло́щадь Побе́ды) is a landmark of the city and holds great significance for Belarus, equivalent to the significance of Moscow's Red Square for Russia. The 38-meter monument in the center of the square is decorated with a replica of the "Victory Medal," the highest military medal awarded by the Soviet Union during World War II. The sacred sword of victory stands on the base of the monument. This monument was built in 1954 to commemorate the soldiers who fought for the Soviet Union and Belarus in World War II. The bronze reliefs around the base of the monument depict scenes such as "May 9, 1945," "Soviet troops during the Great Patriotic War," "Belarusian partisans," and "heroes who sacrificed their lives for liberation." The bronze wreaths on the four corner obelisks of the monument represent the four battlefronts, three of which saw soldiers bravely fighting and sacrificing their lives for the liberation of Belarus.