Tatarskaya Slabada

Tatarskaya Slabada is a historical settlement in Minsk, west and northwest of the old city centre.

Geography

It is located on the low left bank of Svislach and was settled by Lipka Tatars from the 15th century to mid-20th century. It consisted of mainly wooden 1- and 2-storey wooden houses surrounded by lush gardens. The only tall building of the area was a local mosque.

History

Tatarskaya Slabada was devastated during the World War II. During Minsk's postwar reconstruction, a large part of the settlement was destroyed to provide land for Parkavaya Mahistral avenue. Now the area is constructed of high-rise office and residential buildings from the 1960s-1980s. The traditional residents have been dispersed across the city and no longer have a cultural settlement area.