Voŭma is a stop on the Southern Trail of the Way of Silence and is also home to the Vankovich Estate. This brings a multi-day hiking trail and a historic ensemble together in one place. When planning your trip, it is useful to distinguish between the scale of the entire route and the specific features of the section near Voŭma.

Hiking the Southern Trail

The Southern Trail of the Way of Silence is 40 kilometres long, is considered easy, and usually takes two to three days. The section near Voŭma passes through hilly terrain, with opportunities to rest and enjoy views across the hills. This brings together two aspects relevant to planning: the length and usual duration describe the entire route, while the hills, rest stops and views characterise the local section. If you are preparing for the hike, check both the trail conditions and the availability of accommodation along the route before setting off.

The Vankovich Estate

The Vankovich Estate is a cultural highlight in Voŭma. It is a 19th-century monument of classical architecture and landscape art, and has been listed in the State List of Historical and Cultural Values of the Republic of Belarus since 2001. The grounds include the manor house, surviving outbuildings, remnants of a landscape park and the ruins of a burial chapel. The site’s status as a monument therefore encompasses both architecture and traces of a designed landscape. The EthnoTechnoPark-Volma is also located on the grounds. The estate complex also includes an eco-centre and a hotel; on the Southern Trail, the site is considered an overnight accommodation option. If you are planning to stay there during a stage of your hike, confirm availability before your trip.

More cultural highlights in Minsk Region

The wider destination of Minsk Region offers other cultural highlights. Dudutki is a museum of Belarusian rural culture, where many traditional crafts are demonstrated live. You can also taste cheese made on site at the local cheese dairy; availability of the tasting may vary. Niasvizh is another highlight for architectural history. The palace ensemble lies in the north-east of the town and is surrounded by ponds on the Uša River. The town hall was built in 1596, ten years after the granting of Magdeburg rights. The Corpus Christi Church was built between 1587 and 1593 to a design by Giovanni Maria Bernardoni, commissioned by Nikolai Christopher “the Orphan” Radziwill. Mikołaj Krzysztof “the Orphan” Radziwiłł (1549–1616), the first Ordynat of Niasvizh, began construction of the stone castle.

The “Dalva” Memorial Complex is also part of the wider destination of Minsk Region. This architectural and sculptural memorial commemorates the residents of the village of Dalva. It is located at kilometre 77 of the Minsk–Vitebsk road, on the site of the former village in Logoysk District. Tours are available by prior arrangement and are conducted exclusively by staff of the memorial complex.

Discover more destinations: Vialiki Trascianiec, Voŭčkavičy, Maladsetschna, Sutoki, Soligorsk, Zagorshchyna, Siemków, Rakaw.

View the wider travel overview: Minsk Region.