Known for
The governor's garden that became the central park: the wheel, the planetarium and the Svislach embankment by Victory Square.
The old governor's garden between the avenue and the Svislach
Gorky Park
парк Горкага
Frunze, the Svislach embankment, Victory Square
The central park on the site of the governor's garden, opened in 1805 and given Gorky's name in 1936. It sits between Victory Square and the river: alleys, a Ferris wheel, the planetarium at Frunze 2 and a run of rides in one green strip, with the embankment on the water. In winter it is a walk from the obelisk to the river through the trees. In summer it is a place to sit. The wheel turns in the warm months. Yanka Kupala Park continues the bank westward, toward the Kupala theatre and the bridges by the Upper Town.
Why go
In the afternoon, when the alleys are in shade. In summer people stay on the embankment into the evening. In the morning the park is emptier and works as a quiet crossing from Victory Square to the river. The rides are a warm-season layer on top of the paths. The paths themselves are the reason to come when the wheel is still.
Where to stay
There is nowhere to sleep in the park. It suits anyone who wants to step out onto the alleys. Sleep by Victory Square or on the avenue, a short walk away.
Local guide
Fedor Samorodov · guide
Enter from Victory Square or from Frunze 2, where the planetarium sits. The embankment leads west to the bridges by the Upper Town and Trinity Suburb. In the warm months the wheel is the tall shape above the trees, visible from the avenue too.