Verkhnii Gorod Museum of Archeology

The Archaeological Museum "Upper Town" together with the Karetnaya Exposition and the Minsk Horsecar Museum is a part of the museum complex on the territory of the former Bernardine monastery.

Exposition "Minsk. Upper Town. Archaeological Museum" is located in a building designed over an archaeological excavation in 2007—2008, with arched foundations of the outbuildings of the Bernardine monks of the early 18th century.

The visual history of Minsk is captured in one and a half thousand authentic items from the collection of the Museum of the History of the City of Minsk.

The main exhibits are artifacts from archaeological research of the monasteries and shopping arcades of the Upper City, Zybitskaya, Cyril and Methodius streets, Nemiga and other parts of the historical centre of Minsk. Most of the items were discovered in the 1980s — 2010s during the "rescue" excavations (archaeologists Zayats Yu. A., Kolosovsky Yu. V., Koshman V. I., Medvedev A. M., Rusov P. A., Sobol V. E., Tarasov S. V., Trusov O. A., Shtykhov G. V. and others). Before becoming exhibits, many finds were conserved (by restorers Zhitkevich M.V., Smantser D.V.).

EXPOSITION

Exposition "Minsk. Upper Town. Archaeological Museum" introduces the history of the Upper Town and surrounding areas. In the XII — XIII centuries on the territory of the Upper City there was a trade and craft settlement. In the XVI — XVIII centuries, after receiving the Magdeburg Law, the Upper Town became the new administrative centre of the city and the place of residence of the city nobility. Visitors are offered a journey into the world of things of the 12th — 19th centuries, including bone combs and ear picks, iron arrowheads and spears, keys and locks, jewelry of the 10th — 19th centuries, leather shoes of menmen and menchuks and many other items from the everyday life of Minsk citizens.

Acquaintance with the exposition begins with a showcase-diorama "Ancient Flora And Fauna on The Territory of Minsk". The features of the terrain, the remains of ancient animals are demonstrated. The plot is based on the discovery of the remains of a herd of mammoths, which were identified by Belarusian scientists in 2008 in Minsk.

With the help of an artificially created archaeological excavation, visitors have a unique opportunity to see the features of the formation of the cultural layer of Minsk in the 11th — 19th centuries through the "immersion to the mainland" of the city.

The significance of the Upper Town in the development of Minsk is revealed through a demonstration of the life of the townspeople and their main occupations: crafts, crafts, trade in the 14th-19th centuries. Reconstructions of shopping arcades, a shoemaker's workshop, and a potter's shop have been created.

Features of the architectural and planning structure of the Upper Town are shown with the help of plans and maps of Minsk, models of iconic buildings, plot panoramas. Demonstrated original building materials, nails, bricks, architectural and decorative ceramics, floor tiles and more.

Subject installations allow you to look into the cell of the Bernardine monks and the monastery during the war of 1812.

The museum uses modern multimedia technologies that will interest not only children, but also adults: the interactive book "Chronicle of Minsk", the game module "Well of Time", a showcase-pyramid with a 3D projection, an area for museum studies "An Archeology Room" and a game "Treasure Chest".