Memorial to the victims of the Smilovichsky ghetto

Memorial to the Victims of the Smilovichi Ghetto is one of the most significant commemorative sites dedicated to the tragedy of the Holocaust on the territory of Belarus. It is located in the town of Smilovichi, Cherven District, Minsk Region — just 45 kilometers from the capital, making it easily accessible for inclusion in excursions from Minsk. The memorial perpetuates the memory of the Jews who were exterminated at this site in the early months of the Nazi occupation. Here, in a quiet forest, hundreds of people — including women, the elderly, and children — were shot in 1941. The memorial is a place of mourning and reflection, a symbol of collective memory, and a warning to future generations. It is part of the routes of excursions across Belarus dedicated to World War II and the genocide of the Jewish people. For many tourists and researchers, visiting such places becomes an important step in understanding history and human values.

History of the Memorial

With the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, German troops quickly occupied the territory of Belarus. As early as the summer of 1941, a ghetto was established in Smilovichi — one of the first in the region. The Jewish population was herded into a specially designated zone, which they were forbidden to leave. Very soon after, an order for “liquidation” followed — in October 1941, the ghetto inmates were taken to the forest and executed. Among the victims were the parents of future world-renowned artist Shraga Tsarfin, his younger sister, and her infant child. Tsarfin, who had emigrated to Palestine before the war, dedicated many of his works to this loss, expressing the pain of the Jewish people through his art.

In the postwar years, information about the tragedy was carefully preserved by local residents, historians, and relatives of the victims. Only decades later was a memorial sign erected at the execution site. It became an important element in the chain of preserving the historical truth about the Holocaust. The memorial was established through the initiative of public organizations and activists, including Jewish communities, and today it serves as a site for commemorative events, gatherings, flower-laying ceremonies, and international remembrance actions.

Excursions with Memorial Visit

The memorial is included in the routes of patriotic, educational, and commemorative tours conducted by guides who specialize in the Jewish heritage of Belarus and the history of World War II. Such excursions from Minsk are especially popular among schoolchildren, students, teachers, researchers, and foreign guests interested in the topic of the Holocaust.

During the excursion, visitors learn about the history of the Smilovichi ghetto, hear authentic eyewitness accounts, and become acquainted with the story of the artist Shraga Tsarfin and his family. The guide provides context for the events: the Nazi policies in occupied territories, the creation of ghettos, methods of mass extermination, and the Jewish resistance.

You can book an excursion that includes a visit to the memorial — special guided programs are available as one-day trips from Minsk. These excursions across Belarus not only convey historical knowledge but also promote respect for memory, tolerance, and civic awareness.