"Still Retains Aspects Of The Old Soviet Union" Vitebsk by Mikebb

Vitebsk Travel Guide: 7 reviews and 31 photos

Our visit was short, arriving late afternoon on a rainy day possibly made things look worse than they really are. New stadiums and public buildings were prominent, however the people in the street looked poor. This was later confirmed by our local guide.

Time was limited as we were travelling from Moscow to Vilnius in Lithuania, and Vitebsk was our overnight stop. We were informed by our tour guide our accommodation was the best hotel in Vitebsk, however it would be lucky to gain 3 stars.

We were informed that of all the breakaway Soviet Union States, Belarus has changed least from its Communist past. The majority of citizens are still poor and the university educated youth wishing to leave the country.

Marc Chagall Sculpture - Childhood Home

As you walk around the city you will see many War Memorials.

Vitebsk had 100,000 citizens pre World War 2. The city and its people were destroyed diuring the war with only 100 people surviving.

http://www.vitebsk.com/

Street Market in the Rain - Vitebsk City Centre

Last visit to Vitebsk: Sep 2010
Intro Updated Apr 11, 2011
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Reviews (7)

Magnificent Church Overlooks River & City - Vitebsk

Magnificent Church Overlooks River &... Things to Do (6)

We drove around the city and riverside in the rain, sometimes stopping for photos when the rain eased off. There were... more travel advice

Our Local Guide Things to Do (6)

Our Local Guide was a young lady who lived in Minsk and regularly travelled to Vitebsk for work. University qualified... more travel advice

Fighter Planes, Tanks, Helicoptors on... Things to Do (6)

The city centre has many memorials to World War 2, all of which are well worth visiting. On our city tour we passed a... more travel advice

Street Markets Things to Do (6)

As we drove around the city in the wet conditions we passed several street markets. Both were vegetable and flower... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Best Hotel In Vitebsk?

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Written Apr 11, 2011

8 photos

Aspects of Vitebsk - A Brief Overnight Stopover

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Comments (8)

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Yaqui Apr 12, 2012 at 6:59 PM

What a beautiful memorial Mike! Your pages are enjoyable. Sorry about the hotel. Nice page!
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BruceDunning Mar 16, 2012 at 2:57 PM

This is great insight about the city and the weapons ready to use again? Especially interesting was the comments about the hotel and your long legs, maybe you should have stuck them into the fridge. Good trip to remember
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balhannah Oct 13, 2011 at 3:42 PM

An interesting page! I feel sorry for you tall people, must have been so uncomfortable for you. I also like the sculpture in Chagall garden, and the War Memorial statue is well done too! Nice to have a guide that is informative, we were lucky like this in St. Petersburg!
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HORSCHECK Oct 2, 2011 at 4:41 AM

Mike, we spent 10 days in Belarus in August 2011, but unfortunately we didn't make it to Vitebsk. We visited Minsk, Brest and Grodno and some smaller towns instead. Gorgeous little page with interesting tips here.
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Nemorino Oct 2, 2011 at 4:17 AM

I also never knew that Marc Chagall came from Vitebsk. Here in Frankfurt there is a large painting of his that he made especially for the Frankfurt Opera. Also I never realized that Vitebsk was so totally destroyed in the war and nearly all the people were killed. That was an interesting description of your hotel, which indeed sounds like a relic from Soviet times, especially the system that they used to have of not allowing people to enter their rooms during the day.
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Greggor58 Aug 31, 2011 at 4:38 PM

Just got off on a tangent ...followed the Wiki link that you provided for Chagall...did you actually get inside the Chagall gallery or museum?? Interesting and memorable stopover from the sounds of it.. :o)
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nicolaitan Apr 22, 2011 at 9:37 AM

well, the hotel may date to 2004 but the decor precedes it. will wait to do chagall till i have real time - did not know he came from belarus.
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Jefie Apr 9, 2011 at 5:47 AM

Hey Mike! Great tips on Chagall's house and art, and great description of the hotel you stayed at - must have been a very different experience. I'll be back to read more soon! isa