TOWN HALL (РАТУША)

At the center of Liberty Square, the city hall dates back to 1499, when Minsk was granted the right to Magdeburg. At that time, it maintained public administration. Built in wood, over the centuries the building is rebuilt several times, but the clock tower and the balcony on the facade remain its distinctive features. Destroyed in 1857 by Tsar Nicolas I, it was rebuilt in 2004 on his ancient foundations from drawings of the early th century in classical style. On the 32 metre tower, we see a clock and the emblem of the city representing the ascent of the Virgin surrounded by angels. Every hour, the clock animates and sounds the melody La Chanson de Minsk. In front of the city hall is a beautiful bronze composition of the Belarusian sculptor V. Žbanov, representing an elegant carriage drawn by two horses. Today, it is the seat of the municipal council.