Memorial to the victims of fascism

The Memorial to the Victims of Fascism in Koldychevo is one of the most tragic and at the same time significant landmarks on the map of historical memory in Belarus. It is dedicated to the prisoners of the Koldychevo death camp, where tens of thousands of people were exterminated during World War II. The memorial complex is located in the picturesque yet sorrowfully silent Mikhnovichsky Forest, between the villages of Koldychevo and Mikhnovshchina near Baranovichi. It was at this site that the Nazi occupiers carried out mass executions: peaceful residents were shot, poisoned in gas chambers, entire villages were burned alive. The central element of the memorial — a symbolic three-arched structure displaying the Star of David, Catholic, and Orthodox crosses — emphasizes that the tragedy of Koldychevo affected all people regardless of religion or nationality. Every year, the memorial is visited by participants of excursions around Belarus, school groups, and tourists from different countries who come to honor the memory of the victims and preserve historical truth. The memorial is part of the state program for commemorating the victims of war and the Holocaust and can be included in any tour or excursion from Minsk to the western regions of the country.

History of the Memorial

The death camp in Koldychevo was established by the Nazis in March 1942 and operated until the liberation of the area in July 1944. According to archival records and testimonies of survivors, over 110,000 people passed through its "gates of death," with at least 22,000 murdered directly in the camp. Among them were Jews, Roma, Catholic priests, Orthodox believers, members of the partisan movement, and peaceful villagers — including women, children, and the elderly. Particularly tragic are the cases of 100 Catholic priests poisoned in gas chambers, the shooting of two Roma camps, and the burning of the village of Zastarinie on May 2, 1943, where 382 peaceful residents were killed.

In 1964, a memorial to the victims of fascism was erected at the site of the mass graves, designed by architect Alexander Kurochkin. This marked the first step in commemorating the atrocities committed on this land. In 2007, another important element was added to the complex — a monument to the victims of genocide, featuring religious symbols of the three faiths. The unveiling became an important international event, with representatives of the Union of Architects of Belarus, local authorities, Jewish, Catholic, and Orthodox communities, and relatives of the victims from Israel, the USA, and Poland in attendance. The memorial has since become a symbol of mourning, unity in remembrance, and a warning to future generations.

Excursions with a Visit to the Memorial

The memorial complex in Koldychevo is part of several specialized historical routes and is often a central site of patriotic excursions across Belarus. A particularly popular option is the excursion from Minsk to the memorial, designed for schoolchildren, students, and anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the war and genocide that occurred on Belarusian soil. During such a trip, visitors not only explore the memorial itself and the mass graves but also receive a detailed historical account from a guide — covering the camp's history, the prisoners' fates, the construction of the monument, and the key events that have come to symbolize human suffering and resilience.

It is also possible to organize custom tours — for example, with visits to other memorial sites in the Baranovichi district. These excursions are suitable for individual travelers, corporate groups, educational institutions, international delegations, and representatives of religious communities. You can book a guided tour to the Koldychevo Memorial on our website. This journey will leave a profound impression on anyone seeking to understand history not just from textbooks, but through the lens of those who lived it.