Monument in honor of the Vitebsk Gate

Excursions across Belarus offer a chance to touch upon the heroic pages of history. One of the significant sites worth visiting is the "Vitebsk Gate" memorial. This monument is symbolically represented by two concrete steles, connected by a large star. The steles depict the faces of a regular army soldier and a partisan, reminding us of the bravery of those who fought for their homeland’s freedom.

The History of "Vitebsk Gate"

The "Vitebsk (Surazh) Gate" memorial was designed by architects V. V. Yagodnitsky and V. I. Chernyavsky and was inaugurated in 1977. It is dedicated to the events of the Great Patriotic War and the military actions of the Red Army and partisans. "Vitebsk Gate" refers to a 40-kilometer gap in the front line, which emerged due to the offensive of the 4th Shock Army of the Kalinin Front during the Toropets-Kholm Operation (January – June 1942).

From February to September 1942, this corridor facilitated communication with the "Mainland," allowing for the evacuation of civilians and the supply of partisan units. Over 200,000 people were evacuated through this corridor. In fierce battles, the Nazis managed to close the "Vitebsk Gate" on September 28, 1942.

Visiting the Memorial as Part of Excursions

An excursion from Minsk to the "Vitebsk Gate" memorial is a chance to immerse yourself in the history of the Great Patriotic War and honor the memory of the heroes. Here, visitors can see the memorial wall with an inscription commemorating the heroic deeds of Soviet soldiers and partisans. This is a place where history comes to life, and the memory of past events remains in the hearts of visitors.