Guest yard in Minsk

Gostinyi dvor - an architectural monument of the XVIII century. Initially represented by a two-story building, after reconstruction of russian architect F. Kramer acquired traits of classicism, was completed the third floor.

There were administrative offices, stores, shops, living rooms, Minsk Department of the Azov-Don Bank. At the beginning of the XX century - Merchant club, during the First World War - the hospital and the Chamber Theatre. Vladimir Mayakovsky played in the merchant club in 1914 year. In 1917 year the Regional Executive Committeein of the Western Front was located in the Gostinyi dvor, were meeting the bolsheviks, the conference of the RSDLP. The house was called ”Minsky Smolny.” Here the Nazis were sentenced to death antifascist Fritz Shmenkelya in February 15, 1944, as evidenced by a plaque at the building.