Building of the former male gymnasium

The building of the former men's classical gymnasium in Gomel is one of the most significant architectural monuments of the city, now home to the Belarusian State University of Transport (BelSUT). It attracts attention with its elegance, expressive architecture, and historical value. This place has become not only a symbol of education but also an important part of excursion routes.

History

The history of the building began in 1895 when the Gomel City Council announced a competition for the design of a new gymnasium. The construction was financed by Irina Ivanovna Paskevich. Young architect Stanislav Shabunevsky proposed a successful location and building design, which was approved. Construction lasted from 1897 to 1898, and the grand opening of the Alexandrian Gymnasium took place on January 17, 1899. This building became one of the largest educational institutions in pre-revolutionary Belarus, impressing contemporaries with both its scale and architectural expressiveness.
After the October Revolution of 1917, the gymnasium ceased to operate, and the premises were occupied by the Western Railway Department. During World War II, the building was severely damaged but was later restored with the addition of a third floor to the side wings. In 1953, it became an educational facility for the Belarusian Institute of Railway Engineers, which was later transformed into BelSUT.

Architecture

The gymnasium building is designed in the Russian Classicism style, characterized by symmetrical composition, restrained yet elegant decorative elements on the facades. Initially, it was a two-story structure, with classrooms in the central part and the right wing, while the left wing housed the living quarters of the director and inspector.
Some of the interesting architectural features include:

• Functional zoning: classrooms, an assembly hall, dance and gymnastics halls (now a library).
• Architectural decor: stucco molding, elegant window frames, and a symmetrical structure.
• Historical elements: a church that was once located inside the building, as evidenced by the dome on the main facade.

Over time, the building's architectural appearance changed slightly: after reconstruction, a third floor was added to the side wings. However, the historic spirit of the gymnasium remains, and its architecture continues to impress visitors to the city.

Excursions

Today, the former gymnasium building is included in excursion programs across Belarus and can be part of a tour from Minsk. You can learn about the pre-revolutionary education system, the fate of the gymnasium after the revolution, its significance in the development of Gomel, and how the building has transformed over time.
For organized groups and individual travelers, excursions with a visit to this building are offered, along with visits to other iconic sites in Gomel, including the Rumyantsev-Paskevich Palace, the railway station, and the historic city center.