The tourist route “Golden Ring of the Homiel Region” loops through almost the entire Homiel Region. Among other things, it includes a visit to a prehistoric human settlement site. The region’s history unfolds on many different scales: in Gomel’s palace and park ensemble, in museum collections, and at historic sites such as Turau and Yurovichi. This gives you a choice when planning your trip between a broad regional perspective and individual highlights focused on culture, faith and nature.
Gomel and Vetka: Ensembles and Collections
The Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble is considered a tourist highlight of the Homiel Region. The Gomel branch of the Vetka Museum is housed in a historic mansion within the ensemble. Its programme includes temporary exhibitions, events, themed activities and workshops. The historic setting and changing cultural programme give this place different facets to explore.
The Vetka Museum in Vetka focuses on collections of Old Believer icons, handwritten and printed books, and textiles. These include rushnyks, traditional clothing and other textiles; the museum holds the region’s largest textile collection. The permanent exhibitions present the artistic culture and creativity of the Orthodox Belarusian village and the Old Believer town of Vetka, as well as other regional folk traditions. Specific collection areas are thus presented alongside an account of cultural traditions.
Mazyr: Landscape as Exhibition
At the Historical Centre “Mazyr Castle,” the entire landscape zone, including its architectural and urban development, forms the museum exhibition. There are also permanent exhibitions on weaponry, hunting and administration. Here, a spatially conceived exhibition sits alongside clearly defined exhibition themes.
The grounds also contain a pavilion chapel dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord. It was built on the site where the foundations of the old Church of the Saviour were discovered archaeologically. The Mazyr Museum Complex also includes the Museum of Folk Culture of the Mazyr Region, “Paleskaya Veda.” It conveys local traditions, customs, rituals and beliefs, offering another perspective on the region’s culture.
Turau: Buildings, City History and Faith
The Cathedral of Saints Cyril, Lawrence and Martin of Turau stands in the centre of Turau. The Church of All Saints is more than 200 years old and is the only surviving wooden church among the many wooden churches that once adorned Turau. The two buildings point to different chapters in the city’s history.
The medieval castle mound is part of the city’s historic district. The remains of the old capital rise above a picturesque former river channel. The Turau Local History Museum complements this view with archaeological and ethnographic exhibits on the history of the Turau region. In Turau, architectural landmarks, historic remains and museum objects thus offer different ways to explore regional history.
Yurovichi is also linked to religious history: the history of the Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery in Yurovichi is associated with the appearance of the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God and the construction of a church complex in Yurovichi. This tradition adds a spiritual dimension to the history of buildings and collections.
A Different Scale: Pripyatsky National Park
Pripyatsky National Park covers a specially protected natural area of 88,048.6 hectares. Alongside specific places, buildings and collections, it offers a landscape on a regional scale. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can plan your trip around the themes that interest you most: the tourist route, museums and history, or an extensive protected area.
Discover more destinations: Gomel, Rahachow, Buda-Kashalyova, Mazyr, Zhlobin, Svetlahorsk District, Turau, Ogorodniki, Baraviki, Kalinkavichy District, Zhytkavichy District, Studzionaja Huta, ReÄŤyca, Borets, Loyew.
For the broader travel overview: Belarus.
