Beneath the Streets of Minsk: A Deep Dive into the Minsk Metro

Beneath the Streets of Minsk: A Deep Dive into the Minsk Metro was originally published in 2025

Nestled in the heart of Eastern Europe, Minsk is a city where Soviet-era grandeur meets modern architecture. While its surface tells tales of history and transformation, it’s beneath the bustling avenues that one discovers a marvel of urban engineering: the Minsk Metro.

Since the Minsk Metro’s inauguration on June 29, 1984, this rapid transit system has become an integral part of the city’s identity, ferrying over 640,000 passengers daily through its labyrinthine tunnels.

A Look Underground: The History of the Minsk Metro

The Minsk Metro isn’t just a way to zip from one end of the city to the other, it’s a time capsule, a mirror reflecting decades of ambition, resilience, and artistic propaganda.

To understand Minsk’s sleek yet stoic subway system, you have to go back to when Soviet planners were dreaming in marble and mosaics.

The Soviet Metro Dream

The very idea of a metro system in the Soviet Union was never just about moving people. It was a manifestation of communist ideology, wrapped in columns, chandeliers, and patriotic murals. The first of its kind was the legendary Moscow Metro, opened in 1935 under Stalin’s regime, and meant to be a “palace for the people”, a public space more opulent than anything Western capitalism could offer.

The goal? Impress citizens, intimidate enemies, and embody the might and modernity of the USSR.

Soon, other Soviet cities met the mark to have their own metros commissioned. Metro systems weren’t handed out like candy. You had to earn one. Tbilisi, Baku, Tashkent, and Yerevan all met the minimum prior to the construction commencement of the Minsk Metro.

So, How Did Cities Qualify?

Under Soviet policy, a city needed to reach a population threshold of over 1 million people to qualify for a metro. Minsk hit the mark in the 1970s, and the gears of underground progress started turning.

Construction of the Minsk Metro began in 1977, and after nearly seven years of digging, decorating, and defying Belarusian winters, the Minsk Metro opened on June 29, 1984, with eight stations forming the original stretch of what’s now the Maskoŭskaja Line.

Designed to Dazzle

Like its Soviet siblings in Moscow, Kyiv, and Saint Petersburg, the Minsk Metro was meant to be more than functional; it was symbolic.

Every corridor, column, and ceiling mural of the Minsk Metro was curated to inspire loyalty, awe, and national pride. The architectural style combined socialist realism with neoclassical grandeur, and stations were often named after historical events, revolutionary figures, or Soviet ideals.

Even today, stepping into older stations like Kastryčnickaja or Instytut Kultury feels like entering a Cold War-era stage set. You’ll find bronze reliefs, marble-clad walls, and mosaics dedicated to workers, cosmonauts, and peasants.

Surviving the Fall of the USSR

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, many post-Soviet metros stagnated for the period of instability that followed. But Minsk’s didn’t.

The system remained well-maintained and affordable, and continued expanding through the 2020s. In fact, it’s one of the cleanest and most punctual metros I’ve ever ridden.

Exploring the Minsk Metro

Embarking on a journey through the Minsk Metro is akin to traversing a living museum. Each of its 33 stations is a canvas, reflecting the city’s rich entwinement of art, history, and culture.

The Minsk Metro comprises three lines: Maskoŭskaja (Line 1), Aŭtazavodskaja (Line 2), and Zielienalužskaja (Line 3), in total, spanning a total of 40.8 kilometers.

How to Ride: Minsk Metro Tickets & Where to Get Them

Now, let’s talk logistics—because while wandering aimlessly through Minsk’s gorgeous metro halls might sound romantic, you’re still gonna need a ticket to get on the train.

Costs and How and Where to Buy Minsk Metro Tickets

A single ride costs just 0.90 BYN, which is around $0.28 USD at the time of writing.

There are no zones, peak fares, or weird price tiers to stress over, just one flat fare that gets you anywhere on the system, regardless of distance or number of transfers, which is nice if you’re a mole like me and my two best friends who set out to visit all 33 of the Minsk Metro Stations.

How & Where to Buy Tickets

Buying tickets on the Minsk Metro is refreshingly old-school, but with just enough modern convenience to make it hassle-free even if your ability to read is Cyrillic’s rusty (or non-existent).

Here’s how to score a ride:

1. Plastic Tokens

The OG way to ride. These little magenta plastic disks are sold at kiosks inside each station. Just walk up to the counter, hand over your rubles, and the cashier will slide over a token like it’s 1993. Drop it in the turnstile slot, and you’re in.

You can buy a few at a time if you prefer, or opt for a metro card if you’re planning for some heavy usage of the Minsk Metro.

You can pay in cash or by local credit/debit card (Mir card). Foreign cards do not work at their payment terminals in the Minsk Metro.

2. Metro Cards

If you’re planning to hop around the city a lot, say over a few days, grab a contactless rechargeable metro card. They work similarly to metro cards in most cities. You can top them up at kiosks and even some ticket vending machines.

There are options for:

• Single rides
• Multiple trips (10, 20, etc.)
• Unlimited day passes

Heads up: the card itself has a small one-time fee, but you can return it and get a refund when you’re done (if you remember to swing by a ticket office again).

Minsk Metro Operating Hours

The Minsk Metro operates daily from 5:30 AM to 1:00 AM, providing ample time for both early commuters and night owls to traverse the city.

The first trains depart from terminal stations like Malinaŭka and Uručča around 5:32 AM, while the last trains leave these stations at approximately 12:42 AM.

Train Frequency

The frequency of trains on the Minsk Metro varies throughout the day:

• Peak Hours (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM & 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM): Trains arrive every 2 to 2.5 minutes, ensuring swift commutes during the busiest times.
• Off-Peak Hours: Expect trains every 3 to 4 minutes, providing consistent service throughout the day.
• Late Evening (After 11:00 PM): Trains run less frequently, with intervals of up to 12 minutes.

Maskoŭskaja Line (Line 1 – Blue)

The Maskoŭskaja Line, the oldest of the trio, stretches from the southwestern Malinaŭka to the northeastern Urucha. This line is a journey through time, with stations like Ploshcha Lenina and Kastrychnickaja echoing Soviet architectural prowess. The vaulted ceilings and ornate mosaics at Ploshcha Pieramohi pay homage to Belarus’s resilience during World War II.

Malinaŭka (Малінаўка)

Malinaŭka Station is one of the newer additions to the Minsk Metro, opened on 3 June 2014. The station’s architecture reflects elements of nature (and its name Malinaŭka means robin), enhanced by the work of sculptor Maxim Piatrul, adding a contemporary artistic touch to the design.

Piatroŭshchyna (Пятроўшчына)

Opened on 7 November 2012, Piatroŭshchyna Station is part of the Maskoŭskaja Line extension that brought Minsk Metro service deeper into the city’s southwestern districts. Named after the surrounding neighborhood, this station was built to serve one of the fastest-growing residential areas in Minsk, bringing efficient public transit to the edge of urban expansion.

Designed by a team of local architects including Valery Kramarenko and Igor Morozenko, Piatroŭshchyna stands out for its clean, modernist design with a ceiling that looks like a clear night sky.

Michalova (Міхалова)

Michalova Station opened its doors on 5 November 1997, named after the nearby Michalova neighborhood. The station blends late Soviet architectural cues with a more restrained 1990s aesthetic, marking a transitional era in Minsk Metro design where monumentalism gave way to functionality.

The station was designed by architects Valery Kramarenko and Lyudmila Zaitseva, who drew inspiration from traditional Belarusian forms while adhering to modernist metro principles.

While Michalova doesn’t boast elaborate mosaics or sculptures like some of its older counterparts, its understated design speaks to a different kind of elegance, one shaped by economic pragmatism and post-Soviet restraint. Most of the materials used here, including the stone and metal finishes, were sourced from Belarusian quarries and manufacturers, reinforcing local identity through understated craftsmanship.

Hrushaŭka (Грушаўка)

Hrushaŭka Station, designed by Valery Kramarenko and Igor Morozenko, combines modern Belarusian design elements with a subtle artistic flair. Named after one of southwestern Minsk’s neighborhoods, Hrushaŭka Station opened on 7 November 2012

What really stands out are the decorative panels, with stylized depictions of pear tree branches (a nod to the Belarusian word “hrusha,” meaning pear) created by local artists and etched in metal or stone relief. It’s a clever, local touch that ties the station to its name and neighborhood roots.

Instytut Kultury (Інстытут Культуры)

As one of the original stations opened on 26 June 1984, Instytut Kultury Station features a vaulted design constructed from monolithic and precast concrete. The station serves as a gateway to cultural institutions, including the Belarusian University of Culture.

Ploshcha Lenina (Плошча Леніна)

Located near significant administrative buildings, Ploshcha Lenina Station reflects the Soviet-era emphasis on grandeur and authority. Ploshcha Lenina is likely the most famous of the Minsk Metro Stations due to a couple of its notable features.

One you will frequently see in social media is a stained glass piece of a hammer and sickle atop a post.

The other famous feature of Ploshcha Lenina Station is up the stairs, just off the platform- a giant bust of Lenin. For good luck passersby will rub Lenin’s nose- so much so that you can see the wear to his brass finish.

Kastrychnickaja (Кастрычніцкая)

Opened on June 30, 1984, Kastrychnickaja Station translates to October in Belarusian. This station stands out for its historical layers, where remnants of its Soviet past, such as the name “Oktyabrskaya,” still adorn the walls, juxtaposed with its Belarusian identity.

Kastrychnickaja Station was the site of a bombing in 2011 that resulted in 15 fatalities and 204 injuries to commuters.

Ploshcha Pieramohi (Плошча Перамогі)

Ploshcha Pieramohi Station is one of the most symbolically powerful stops on the Minsk Metro, located directly beneath Victory Square, Minsk’s central WWII memorial.

Opened in 1984, the station was designed by architects L. M. Polyakov and V. A. Matelsky to mirror the reverence of the monument above.

Inside, the station feels more like a shrine than a transit hub. The subdued lighting, polished marble, and heroic murals create a quiet, reflective atmosphere that many locals treat with solemn respect.

The platform features beautiful white marble columns with crystal sconce extending toward the ceiling.

In the underground, before the station and beneath Victory Square, the vaulted, columned hall is lined with red and gray granite sourced from across the former USSR, with bronze reliefs and mosaics honoring Belarusian soldiers who fought in the Great Patriotic War.

Ploshcha Jakuba Kolasa (Плошча Якуба Коласа)

Ploshcha Jakuba Kolasa Station is named after Yakub Kolas, one of Belarus’s most beloved national poets, opening on 24 June 1984. Fittingly located beneath the square that bears his name, the station is a tribute not only to a literary icon but also to the broader Belarusian cultural identity that Kolas championed.

The station was designed by architects V. Matelsky and L. Polyakov, who wanted to reflect the spirit of Kolas’s poetry, rooted in rural Belarus, rich in folkloric imagery, and deeply human. The result? A vaulted underground hall clad in soft beige and brown marble, with bronze medallions and bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Kolas’s works, including rural life and national themes.

Akademija Navuk (Акадэмія Навук)

Opened on 30 June 1984, Akademija Navuk pays homage to Soviet architectural design. Designed by architects A. Zenzin and M. Pirogov, the station features two rows of concrete pillars clad in grey marble, complemented by white marbled walls and grey granite floors.

Artworks by V. Churilo and S. Sokolov adorn the vestibules, adding cultural depth to the station.

Park Chaluskincaŭ (Парк Чалюскінцаў)

Park Chaluskincaŭ Station is your leafy portal to Minsk’s vast and beloved Park of the same name, a sprawling urban green space. The station itself, nestled beneath Independence Avenue, is both a functional transit hub and a gentle architectural nod to the outdoors.

Named after the Chaluskintsy, Soviet Arctic explorers whose ship was crushed by ice in the 1930s (and later became national heroes), the station connects Soviet valor with peaceful recreation—a very Minsk kind of contrast. Designed by architects L. Polyakov and V. Matelsky, the station uses light-colored marble and granite, creating an airy, inviting feel. You’ll find a subtle nature motif running through its minimalist design, with most materials sourced from within Belarus and Ukraine, keeping with the Minsk Metro’s tradition of regional craftsmanship heavy-handed.

Maskoŭskaja (Маскоўская)

Opening its doors on 24 June 1984, Maskoŭskaja Station is one of the Minsk Metro’s most iconic stops, for its grand Soviet-era design. The name means “Moscow Station,” and while it’s firmly in Minsk, the style and symbolism are unmistakably drawn from the Soviet capital’s metro grandeur.

Designed by architects L. Polyakov and V. Matelsky, Maskoŭskaja brings monumental design into a suburban setting. Think vaulted ceilings, creamy marble cladding, and bronze accents, all softly lit to create a serene underground experience.

Located close to Minsk’s lush Central Botanical Gardens, Maskoŭskaja is where nature meets nostalgic metro architecture. It’s not just a stop—it’s a reflection of the city’s past ambitions, quietly carrying passengers through space and time beneath the tree-lined boulevards above.

Uschod or Vostok (Усход или Восток )

Uschod, meaning “East,” was the easternmost station of the Minsk Metro for over two decades, opened on 30 December 1986, only two years after the first set of stations began shuttling passengers across Minsk.

Uschod Station’s design, by architects Ye. Leonovich and V. Matelsky draw inspiration from the Vostok space programme, featuring a single vault shape with a suspended canopy that resembles a spaceship interior.

The use of dark red and grey granite contrasts with the white vault, enhancing the station’s futuristic ambiance.

Barysaŭski Trakt (Барысаўскі тракт)

Barysaŭski Trakt Station is one of the more modern entries along the Maskoŭskaja Line, opened on 7 November 2007, serving the eastern reaches of Minsk. The station’s name translates to “Barysaw Highway,” a historic route that once connected Minsk with the northeastern city of Barysaw, making this stop a subtle nod to the country’s old travel arteries now reimagined.

Architects Valery Kramarenko and Igor Morozenko designed the station with clean, modernist lines and a focus on natural light and symmetry. The layout is a single-vault design with gentle curves and softly reflective surfaces. Walls are tiled in light stone and ceramics, while polished granite flooring adds contrast and texture underfoot. The minimalist approach is a deliberate departure from the grandiosity of earlier Soviet-era stations, echoing a shift toward efficiency and subtlety in post-independence Belarus.

Urucha (Уручча)

Uruchcha Station opened on the same day as Barysaŭski Trakt Station, marking a significant milestone as the first Minsk Metro station located outside the city’s Minsk Ring Road (MKAD). Situated in a leafy residential district on the city’s northeastern fringe, Uruchcha serves as a critical connection point for commuters living in Minsk’s expanding suburbs.

Architects Valery Kramarenko and Igor Morozenko brought a light, streamlined aesthetic to this single-vault station. The design leans into openness and functionality, using pale granite and ceramic finishes to reflect light and maintain a calm, modern vibe. Geometric wall patterns and minimalist stainless steel railings emphasize clarity and space over symbolism.

Aŭtazavodskaja Line (Line 2 – Red)

Inaugurated in 1990, the Aŭtazavodskaja Line connects the western Kamiennaja Horka to the southeastern Mahilioŭskaja. This line is a testament to Minsk’s industrial evolution, with stations like Aŭtazavodskaja reflecting the city’s automotive heritage. The vibrant murals at Spartyŭnaja celebrate Belarus’s sporting achievements, while the sleek design of Pushkinskaja showcases modern architectural sensibilities.

Kamiennaja Horka (Каменная Горка)

As the western terminus of Minsk Metro’s Line 2, Kamiennaja Horka serves a rapidly developing residential area. The station, opened on 7 November 2005, features design that emphasizes functionality, with clean lines and durable materials to accommodate high passenger volumes.

Kuncaŭshchyna (Кунцаўшчына)

Kuncaŭshchyna Station is set within a residential district of the same name. The name harks back to a once-rural village absorbed into the city, now reimagined through tiled halls and metro maps.

Architects Ihor Morozenko and Valery Kramarenko designed Kuncaŭshchyna as a single-vault, shallow-depth station, using warm-toned granite and ceramic tile to create a contemporary but inviting space.

Spartyŭnaja (Спартыўная)

Opened alongside Kuncaŭshchyna and Kamiennaja Horka Stations in November 2005, Spartyŭnaja Station (meaning “Sports Station”) sits near several major athletic complexes, including the Minsk Arena and various training centers.

The station features sleek ceramic tiling, linear light fixtures, and abstract decorative panels that echo themes of sport and motion. Architects Kramarenko and Morozenko once again embraced a minimalist, modern palette.

Pushkinskaja (Пушкінская)

Pushkinskaja Station honors Russian literary titan Alexander Pushkin, opened on |July 3, 1995. From the moment you step onto the platform, it’s clear this station is designed to impress.

Architects V. Matelsky and L. Polyakov gave Pushkinskaja a monumental, symmetrical layout, with granite pillars and dark marble accents that give off serious library vibes.

A striking bronze bas-relief of Pushkin, flanked by neoclassical motifs and quotes from his poetry in Cyrillic script, adorns the station. Materials like Belarusian granite and Ukrainian marble anchor the station in regional artistry while pointing back to a shared Slavic cultural legacy.

Maladziozhnaja (Маладзёжная)

Maladziozhnaja Station means “Youth Station,” and the energy of that name plays out in its lively interior. The station began operation on July 3, 1995, and served as a major transfer point as a connection to the Aŭtazavodskaja Line.

The station’s white ceramic panels, color-blocked mosaics, and sleek metal accents feel upbeat and bright. Designed by architects V. Matelsky and L. Polyakov, it features mid-century modern geometry, with decorative elements meant to reflect the optimism and dynamism of the younger generation.

Frunzienskaja (Фрунзенская)

Named for Soviet military commander Mikhail Frunze, Frunzienskaja Station opened on 31 December 1990. Positioned at the junction between the Aŭtazavodskaja and Zielienaluzhskaja lines, it’s a critical interchange and one of the busiest spots on the Minsk Metro.

With architecture by A. Shcherbakov and V. Matelsky, the station evokes a blend of late-Soviet austerity and monumental pride. It’s decked out in polished granite, bronze lighting fixtures, and stylized star motifs, with decorative panels that reflect Soviet military themes.

Niamiha (Няміга)

Also opened on December 31, 1990, Niamiha Station is situated near the historic Niamiha River, an area rich in history. The station’s design incorporates cultural and historical elements that reflect the local heritage, blending modern transit needs with historical context.

Kupalaŭskaja (Купалаўская)

Part of the block of Minsk Metro stations that opened in December 1990, Kupalaŭskaja Station, pays homage to Janka Kupala, one of Belarus’s most beloved national poets. Located in the city center and connected to Kastryčnickaja Station on the Maskoŭskaja Line via a tunnel, Kupalaŭskaja is both a cultural and logistical heart of the Minsk Metro.

Architects Valery Kramarenko and V. Matelsky infused the station with a subtle romanticism. Soft white and gray marble, granite floors, and gentle arches echo the calm lyricism found in Kupala’s work. Murals and inscriptions in Belarusian script feature excerpts of his poetry, bringing a deeply local touch to the underground.

Pyershamayskaya (Першамайская)

Opening its doors to the world on 28 May 1991, Pyershamayskaya Station takes its name from International Workers’ Day (May 1st), a cornerstone of Soviet ideology. It sits in a peaceful, green part of the city, making it feel more laid-back than some of the central stations.

Designed by architects V. Matelsky and A. Shcherbakov, the station reflects its namesake’s socialist themes through simple geometric design, understated elegance, and an air of order.

Pralyetarskaya (Пралетарская)

Pralyetarskaya Station, opened on 31 December 1990. Located in a more industrial stretch of the city, this station forms an important link for daily commuters navigating the heart of Minsk’s southeastern side.

Architects A. Shcherbakov and N. Shcherbakova brought a functional modernism to the design, leaning into polished stone, clean lines, and symmetrical vaulting.

Traktarny Zavod (Трактарны завод)

Traktarny Zavod Station is an unapologetic celebration of Minsk’s industrial backbone, specifically the nearby Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), one of Belarus’s largest factories. The name literally means “tractor factory,” and yes, the station leans hard into that identity.

The station’s bold symmetry, sturdy granite walls, and metallic industrial accents reflect the spirit of Soviet-era productivity. Architects A. Shcherbakov and N. Shcherbakova designed it with strong horizontal lines and iron-framed lighting that evoke factory design.

Partyzanskaja (Партызанская)

Opened 7 November 1997, Partyzanskaja Station honors the Belarusian partisans who resisted Nazi occupation during World War II. It’s located near the Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War, and it wears its symbolism proudly.

Architects A. Shcherbakov and I. Semashko designed the station with a solemn, almost chapel-like feel. The dark granite columns, deep red marble walls, and low, ambient lighting create an atmosphere of reverence. Bas-reliefs show scenes of partisan fighters, and inscriptions tell their stories, turning your commute into a brief encounter with Belarus’s wartime past.

Aŭtazavodskaja (Аўтазаводская)

Aŭtazavodskaja Station opened along with Partyzanskaja Station in 1997, took its name from the automobile plant nearby, another nod to Minsk’s status as a manufacturing powerhouse. Located in the city’s southeastern industrial zone, the station is a crucial hub for workers and daily commuters.

Architects Igor Morozenko and Valery Kramarenko gave this deep-pylon station a distinctly modern vibe. The design favors cool tones, steel accents, and functional elegance, using polished gray granite, ceramic tile, and hidden lighting to give a high-tech sheen to the space.

Mahilioŭskaja (Магілёўская)

Serving as the easternmost station on the Aŭtazavodskaja Line, Mahilioŭskaja Station opened on 5 September 2001. Named after the city of Mahilioŭ (Mogilev), one of Belarus’s major urban centers, the station forms a symbolic and physical connection between Minsk and the country’s eastern region.

Designed by Kramarenko and Morozenko, the station features a muted, minimal aesthetic with clean lines and practical finishes.

Zielienaluzhskaja Line (Line 3 – Green)

The newest addition, the Zielienaluzhskaja Line, began operations in 2020. Though shorter, it offers a glimpse into Minsk’s future, with stations like Jubiliejnaja Plošča and Kavaĺskaja Slabada boasting contemporary designs and state-of-the-art facilities. This line underscores the city’s commitment to sustainable and efficient urban transport.

Jubiliejnaja Ploshcha (Юбілейная плошча)

As the deepest station in the Minsk Metro, Jubiliejnaja Ploshcha required significant engineering feats, even though the station the station only opened in November 2020. These feats included an 800 mm thick monolithic wall to withstand the soil pressure encapsulating the station at 32 meters in depth.

Ploshcha Francishka Bahushevicha (Плошча Францішка Багушэвіча)

Opened on 6 November 2020, Ploshcha Francishka Bahushevicha Station is named after Francishak Bahushevich, a 19th-century Belarusian poet, lawyer, and champion of the Belarusian language. It comes as no surprise that this station is a celebration of national identity, which is something important to the people of Belarus, who feel as though the remainder of the world thinks that they are the same as the people of Russia. Belarus has its own language, which shares much in common with Russian and Ukrainian, but is still a language of its own, with a cuisine of its own, and a culture of its own.

The design by architects Tatyana Revina and Alyaksei Larychev mixes contemporary minimalism with poetic symbolism. The green and white laser light show illumination sit in contrast with decorative panels inscribed with Bahushevich’s words, turning the station into a moving homage to the literary spirit of Belarus.

Vakzalnaja (Вакзальная)

Vakzalnaja Station is named for its direct link to the Minsk Railway Terminal (Vakzal), making it one of the busiest transit hubs in the city. Strategically placed to serve both local and long-distance travelers, Vakzalnaja is more than just a metro stop; it’s a modern gateway to Belarus.

Architects Alyaksei Larychev and Siarhei Tarasevich designed the station with practicality in mind but didn’t skimp on aesthetic detail. The interior features dark granite flooring, light-toned walls, and dramatic LED-lit ceiling panels, evoking a futuristic feel. It also forms a convenient interchange with the Minsk Metro’s Maskoŭskaja Line of Ploshcha Lenina Station, bridging old and new in Minsk’s transit system.

Kavalskaja Slabada (Кавальская Слабада)

Kavalskaja Slabada Station was the original terminus of Minsk Metro’s Zielienaluzhskaja Line when it opened on 6 November 2020, but owing to an extension that opened on 30 December 2024, it’s no longer the end of the route.

The architects, Siarhei Tarasevich and Tatyana Revina, used raw textures, metal accents, and deep earth tones to give the station a distinctive personality. Sculptural elements subtly reference smithing tools and techniques, while bronze panels and forged-iron motifs line the walls, celebrating the hands-on craftsmanship that once defined this part of Minsk.

Aeradromnaya (Аэрадромная)

Part of the newest extension of the Minsk Metro, and opened just days after I left Belarus 🙁 is Aeradromnaya Station, opened on 30 December 2024,

Not connected with the still-functional Minsk National Airport, Aeradromnaya Station is named after its location near the former Minsk-1 Airport.

Architects Uladzimir Ragoisha and Siarhei Tarasevich leaned into aerodynamic themes in the station’s design from the looks of the photos I have seen.

Nemarshanski Sad (Немаршанскі Сад)

Translating out to Nemarshany Garden, Nemarshanski Sad Station gives way to one of the greenest parts of Minsk.

Architectural duo Tatsiana Revina and Andrei Shablinski brought in botanical elements and eco-inspired materials, with green-tinted tiles, warm stone, and carefully designed lighting that mimics natural sunlight. Decorative panels depict garden scenes and stylized tree silhouettes, bringing nature underground in a way that feels both modern and calming.

Slutski Hastsinets (Слуцкі Гасцінец)

Slutski Hastsinets Station, named after the historic Slutsk Road, a centuries-old trade route that once linked Minsk to the southern town of Slutsk, opened on 30 December 2024 as the new southern terminus of the Zelenaluzhskaya line.

The design, by architects Siarhei Tarasevich and Alyaksei Larychev, incorporates motifs from traditional Belarusian folk art.

Reflecting on the Underground Odyssey

Navigating the Minsk Metro is more than just a commute; it’s an immersive experience into the soul of Belarus’s capital. Each station narrates a story, from the echoes of Soviet history to the aspirations of a modern European city. For travelers seeking to delve deeper into Minsk’s core, the Minsk Metro offers a unique vantage point, where every stop is a chapter, and the journey a story waiting to be found.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or a curious wanderer, the Minsk Metro beckons with tales etched in stone and steel. So, next time you’re in the city, descend into its depths and let the rails guide you through a captivating chronicle of Minsk’s past, present, and future.

Have you Ridden the Minsk Metro or Have Any Questions About it?

Ask in the comments below. If you’ve reached the new stations of the Minsk Metro that opened in 2024, let us know in the comments about your thoughts on the design.

More posts from Belarus