Observatory

The Observatory Building – a striking example of constructivism in Minsk. Perched on a hill, the building of the Belarusian Hydrometeorological Center’s observatory is one of the most prominent structures in the constructivist style in Minsk. Its appearance truly resembles a children’s construction set: a combination of parallelepipeds, cubes, and spheres gives the building a unique architectural expression. This remarkable structure has become a symbol of early Soviet architecture in Belarus.

Construction History: From Concept to Reality

The observatory was built in 1934 on the site of an ancient cemetery that existed from the 17th century and disappeared in the mid-1950s. The project was designed by Ivan Volodko (1895–1984), a well-known Belarusian architect who was the first in Belarus to receive architectural education in Soviet times. At the time of construction, the building was located in the suburbs, so many employees of the Hydrometeorological Center had to stay overnight in the offices. Over time, some rooms of the observatory were converted into a dormitory. An interesting detail: the building was originally painted in bright golden color, making it even more noticeable.

War Years and Restoration

During the Great Patriotic War, most of the observatory’s equipment was taken to Germany. However, the building itself miraculously survived and, after the liberation of Minsk, continued to serve its primary function – helping city residents receive accurate weather forecasts. For more than 75 years, the observatory has remained an essential part of the city’s infrastructure.