Making Calls To Bobruisk, Belarus: A Step-By-Step Guide

Bobruisk, also known as Babruysk, is a city in the Mogilev Region of Belarus. It is one of the biggest and oldest towns in the country, first mentioned in writing in the 14th century. The city is known for its unique history, architecture, and cultural significance, particularly in relation to Jewish culture.

With a population of over 200,000, Bobruisk is accessible by car, train, bus, or minibus taxi from the capital, Minsk. The city boasts a range of attractions, including the Bobruisk Fortress, a 19th-century defensive installation, and the White Church (St. George's Church), a beautiful stone church built in the Old Russian style.

Bobruisk has a rich Jewish history, with a significant Jewish population before World War II. Notable Jewish figures from Bobruisk include Polina Vengerova, author of 'The Remembrances of a Grandmother', and Zalman Gorelik, a geologist who discovered deposits of potassium, stone salts, and oil.

The city also offers a variety of dining and accommodation options, such as the Chyrvonaya Vezha restaurant located in a former water tower, and the Bobruisk Hotel, built in the post-war period.

Bobruisk's location and how to get there

Bobruisk, also spelt Babruysk, is a city in the Mogilev Region of Belarus. It is one of the biggest and oldest towns in the country, located on the Berezina River. Bobruisk is around 240 kilometres from the country's capital, Minsk, and can be reached by car, train, bus or minibus taxi. The train journey from Minsk to Bobruisk takes approximately two hours.

Bobruisk is situated at the intersection of railroads to Asipovichy, Zhlobin, Aktsyabrski, and roads to Minsk, Gomel, Mogilev, Kalinkavichy, Slutsk, and Rahachow. The city is also accessible from outside Belarus, with one traveller reporting taking a flight to Minsk from Moscow.

The Bobruisk Fortress, built in the first half of the 19th century, is one of the city's main attractions. The fortress was used as a defence installation and is considered one of the best-preserved specimens of fortification architecture from that time. During World War II, the Nazis turned the fortress into a concentration camp, killing approximately 40,000 soldiers and 40,000 civilians. Today, the fortress is open for excursions, film shoots, and archaeological studies.

The city's history and its Jewish community

Bobruisk, or Babruysk, is a city in the Mogilev Region of Belarus. It is one of the oldest cities in the country, with the first written mention of it dating back to the middle of the 14th century. The city's name likely originates from the Belarusian word for beaver, as the now-endangered animal used to inhabit the area.

Bobruisk was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth for many centuries and served as an important military border post. In the 14th century, a castle was built on one of the hills near the Berezina River. The city was also a prominent trade centre, with nearly a hundred stalls in its market, and skilled tradesmen such as carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, and bakers.

The Jewish settlement in Bobruisk was first mentioned at the end of the 17th century. The Jewish population began to increase rapidly after the city became part of Russia following the second partition of Poland in 1793. By the beginning of the 19th century, supplying the military fortress in Bobruisk was a major source of employment for Jews. Later in the century, lumbering supplanted the military supply trade, and Bobruisk became an important lumber centre.

By 1897, the Jewish population in Bobruisk had grown to 20,760, accounting for 60% of the total population. The heyday of Jewish life in the city came at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Clothing manufacture, farm trade, and harvesting and selling timber were among the most sought-after occupations among Jews. There were 41 synagogues, numerous yeshivot, a Jewish library, and many other Jewish cultural institutions. At the turn of the century, Bobruisk had been one of the main bases of the Bund, a Jewish socialist and territorialist organisation.

During the 1890s, the citizens of Bobruisk witnessed pogroms after the assassination of the Russian emperor Alexander II. Many of the attacks were repelled by armed Jewish self-defence. In 1902, the Great Fire of Bobruisk left 2,500 families homeless and destroyed over 250 businesses, 15 schools, and the market.

During World War II, 25,000 Jews were killed in the Bobruisk ghetto, which was in existence from 1 August to 20 December 1941. Emigration in the late 1980s and early 1990s further reduced the city's Jewish population. However, even today, Bobruisk is considered the historical, cultural, and religious centre of Belarusian Jews.

Things to do and see in Bobruisk

Bobruisk, also known as Babruysk, is a city in the Mogilev Region of Belarus. It is situated on the Berezina River and is known for its timber mill, chemical, machine building, and metal-working industries. Here are some things to do and see in Bobruisk:

Explore the Bobruisk Fortress

The Bobruisk Fortress is a major tourist attraction and a remarkable example of 19th-century defensive architecture. Construction began in 1810 to mark the western border of the Russian Empire, and it played a crucial role in repelling Napoleon's invasion in 1812. The fortress features impressive earthworks, ditches, and a wide range of weaponry. It also includes residential and administrative buildings, cobbled streets, a botanical garden, and a square.

Visit the Church of St. Nicholas

The Church of St. Nicholas has a long history in Bobruisk, with the first mention of it dating back to the 17th century when it was located on the banks of the Berezina River. The temple was relocated during the construction of the Bobruisk Fortress and was later converted into a pool during the Soviet era. In the 2000s, it was returned to the Orthodox Church and restored, reopening its doors to worshippers in 2007.

Check Out the House of Merchant Katsnelson

The House of Merchant Katsnelson, built in 1912, is a wooden building in the modern style, painted in a rich turquoise colour. It features two two-story towers and an attic. The house has been used for various purposes, including as a library and, more recently, as a rental space for a local advertising agency.

Stroll Through the City Centre

Take a walk through the central streets of Bobruisk and admire the beautiful buildings constructed in the first half of the 20th century. You'll find a mix of architectural styles, including classicism, empire, and modern. Don't miss the former female Alekseevskaya gymnasium, a building from the early 20th century located on Socialist Street.

Visit the Bobruisk Arena

The Bobruisk Arena, built in 2008, is an ice palace with a round shape and a diameter of 118.8 meters. It features an IIHF standard hockey rink and can accommodate thousands of spectators.

Enjoy the Local Cuisine

Be sure to try the delicious marshmallows that Bobruisk is known for. Additionally, explore the local restaurants and bars, such as the "Chyrvonaya Vezha," which is located in an old water tower.

Bobruisk's hotels and accommodation

Bobruisk, Belarus, is a city in the Mogilev Region, situated on the Berezina River. It is known for its unique complex of beautiful architecture in the style of Classicism. The city boasts a range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly to luxury hotels, as well as apartments for families.

Bobruisk offers a variety of hotels to suit different budgets and preferences. Here is some information about some of the notable accommodation options:

• AMAKS Premier Hotel Bobruysk: A 3-star hotel located on Sovetskaya Street, offering free perks like WiFi and self-parking. It provides a daily continental breakfast for a small surcharge. Rooms are equipped with standard amenities, including free toiletries and towels. The hotel has a 24/7 front desk and provides tour/ticket assistance and dry cleaning/laundry services.
• PaulMarie Apartments: PaulMarie offers a range of apartments in Bobruisk, including on Oktyabrskaya, Stroiteley, Gor'kogo, Pushkina, Internatsionalnaya, and other locations. These apartments are highly rated and provide a more independent and homely stay.
• Apartment On Sovetskaya 103: Located on Sovetskaya 103-62, just 149m from the city centre, this apartment is a short walk from nearby attractions such as Утро (Utro) and Кофе Саунд (Kofe Saund).
• Cheap Hotels: Bobruisk also has several cheap hotels and guest houses, with prices starting from around $15 per night. These provide basic amenities and are a good option for those on a budget.

Bobruisk has over 40 hotels and accommodations available for reservation online, with a range of prices and locations to suit different needs.

The local cuisine and drinks

Bobruisk, Belarus, is a culinary paradise, offering a wide range of traditional Belarusian dishes and local delicacies. The local cuisine has something to satisfy any palate, from hearty dishes to unique fermented beverages. Here is an overview of the local cuisine and drinks you can experience during your visit to Bobruisk.

Appetizers and Main Courses

A traditional peasant or merchant's dinner in Belarus consists of two dishes: soup and a main course. Belarusian cuisine has a variety of soups, both hot and cold. The old word for most traditional Belarusian soups was "poliŭka", except for those named after the main vegetable ingredient. For example, "kapusta" (cabbage soup), "buraki" (beet soup), and "gryžanka" (turnip soup). The traditional Belarusian soup "borscht" is a thick and rich beet and cabbage soup made with grains, potatoes, and meat.

Another popular soup is "chaladnik", a cold borscht made of beets, beet leaves, or sorrel, served with sour cream, hard-boiled eggs, and boiled potatoes. This dish has also been popular in Polish and Lithuanian cuisines since the late 18th century.

Meat was typically consumed only during major Christian holidays and was usually pork. A common meat dish is "veraščaka", a thick meat gravy with pieces of meat and sausage, used as a dip or sauce for thick pancakes. "Machanka" is another popular meat dish, which is a pork stew. "Draniki" (thick potato pancakes) are also a staple in Belarusian cuisine and can be served plain or stuffed.

Bread and Dairy

Belarusian bread is traditionally made with rye flour and a special leaven, resulting in a heavier, slightly sour taste. Various additives such as caraway seeds, linseeds, and sunflower seeds are used in traditional recipes.

The main dairy foods in Belarus include a kind of fresh white cheese called "tvorog" and sour cream ("smantana"), which is used in cooking and as a garnish. Sour butter from the former Dzisna county was once exported to Britain, where it was the most expensive variety until World War I.

Beverages

The traditional hard drink in Belarus is vodka or "harelka", which can be made from rye malt, birch sap ("biarozavik"), or flavoured with forest herbs ("zubrovka"). Mead and similar drinks made from honey and spices were once common but became less popular in the 19th century. However, they have seen a revival in recent times, with drinks like "krambambula" gaining popularity again. "Krambambula" is made by diluting vodka with water, mixing it with honey, and adding spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and pepper.

The main local non-alcoholic drink is "kvass", traditionally made through the natural fermentation of bread or cereal (barley or rye). It is now more commonly made with sugars and artificial flavourings, and can be purchased from street vendors or bottled in stores.

Desserts

For centuries, honey has been the main dessert for Belarusians. "Solodukha" (malt dough), "kulaga" (a thick beverage made from berries, flour, sugar, and honey), and baked apples are also popular treats.

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