More recently, drivers driving along the Minsk-Molodechno road were perplexedly examining a road sign, on which a laconic inscription "Stalin's Line" appeared. Today, many residents of Belarus already know about this unique historical and cultural complex. The "Stalin Line" is also known outside the country.
This open-air defense museum is one of the favorite places for tourists interested in the Soviet past.
Creation idea
The historical and cultural complex, known as the “Stalin Line”, is a grandiose ensemble, one of the most significant on the territory of Belarus. Its opening took place at the end of June 2005, namely June 30, and was dedicated to the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus.
The idea of creating a museum that covered the war with Nazi Germany belonged to the Afghan Memory Foundation, which is engaged in charitable affairs. The project was supported by the President of Belarus.
The construction of the complex took place by the method of folk construction. At the same time, she received the support of many public and state organizations, enterprises and just enthusiasts. The main force that took part in the construction of the museum was the engineering troops of the Republic of Belarus, who sent their units here. According to the creators of the complex, this grandiose structure should perpetuate the defensive system of fortifications created before the onset of Nazi Germany, and also be a symbol of courage and heroic, selfless struggle of all citizens of the USSR in the period from 1941 to 1945.
Historical background
The construction of Stalin's non-museum defensive line was started back in 1928. Its construction was initiated by the Soviet government. The "Stalin Line" was supposed to become a reliable stronghold in the defense during an attack on the USSR. It was a whole system of bunkers, as well as other reinforced barriers, structures and infrastructure. It was assumed that the competent actions of the personnel would make it possible to restrain the enemy's offensive for a long period. Such a balance of forces would allow time for the regrouping of troops in order to launch a retaliatory counterattack.
Where was the "Stalin Line" located? Its construction began with the Karelian and Polotsk fortified areas. Over the next ten years, fortifications appeared over 2,000 kilometers near the western borders of the Soviet Union. 23 fortified areas were erected, reinforced by 4,000 pillboxes. Among them are Mozyrsky and Rybnitsky, Novograd-Volynsky and Korostensky,Mogilev-Yampolsky, Kyiv and Tiraspolsky, as well as other lines.
Minsk was the largest fortified area located on the territory of Belarus. Here, for a length of 110 kilometers, the "Stalin Line" was located. Where is the museum complex of the same name located today? It was erected on the remains of former bunkers and structures.
It is worth mentioning that the Minsk fortified area includes buildings dating back to 1932-33. They were located not far from the then existing western border of the USSR. However, the original plan for a defensive chain of firing points and bunkers was never carried out to the end. In connection with the change in the state border in 1939, the government decided to abandon this construction in favor of the Molotov Line, which was to be located to the west, along the new defensive lines of the USSR.
Origin of the name
During the Soviet period, the chain of structures for the defense of the state from Western countries had no name. It was first called the “Stalin Line” in an article in the Russian-language Latvian newspaper Segodnya, which was dedicated to these fortifications. Further, the publication was borrowed by the English edition of the Daily Express. After that, the name "Stalin Line" became very popular in Western countries.
Where is the KIC located?
Those who decided to visit this unique open-air exhibition, first of all, are concerned about the following question: "Where is the" Stalin Line ", how to get to it?". The complex is located approximately thirty kilometers from the centerthe capital of Belarus on the road to Molodechno. Next to it, just 6 km away, is the city of Zaslavl, and in the immediate vicinity is the village of Loshany, Minsk region.
Itinerary
The best way to get to the museum is by car. This is the easiest and most convenient route for those who are interested in the Stalin Line. How to get to this historical complex by car? To do this, you need to drive only 30 km along the highway from Minsk to Molodechno (P28).
The state border of the USSR until 1939 was located near the city of Zaslavl. Today, the “Stalin Line” was built here. How to get to the complex from the specified district center? To do this, follow the road Radoshkovichi-Molodechno.
If you don't have your own car, public transport will take you to the complex. In this case, it is proposed to use one of three possible methods. The first of them is a trip by fixed-route taxi in the direction "Minsk-Molodechno" (under No. 700-T). You can get into it at the railway station from the stop, which is located on Druzhnaya Street. Such minibuses run daily from 6 am to 8 pm at intervals of 20 minutes. But it should be borne in mind that the way back on it will be very difficult due to the fact that this transport will be passing from the museum.
There are also shuttle buses that will take you to the Stalin Line exposition. How to get there by this mode of transport? You will need the route "Minsk-Krasnoye" under number 482. The end point of movement of this bus is in the Molodechno region. Take seats in this formtransport is possible at the intersection of Bobruiskaya and Kirova streets, not far from the Axis store. Such a bus departs not according to the schedule, but as the cabin is filled with passengers. Flights in the direction "Minsk-Sosnovy Bor" are carried out only twice during the day. This bus also passes near the military history museum.
The third type of transport that will take you to the Stalin Line ICC is an electric train. The ticket must be taken to the station "Belarus". From there you will need to walk or take a local bus.
What does the Stalin Line offer its visitors?
The territory of this grandiose complex is located on an area exceeding 26 hectares. The museum is an open area with fortifications and military equipment. Thus, visitors are given the opportunity to get acquainted with two pillboxes built in the previously existing Minsk fortified area. The period of their construction is 1932-1933. There is also a two-gun artillery semi-caponier, two- and three-hole pillboxes. The KNP (command and observation post) has also been restored in the museum.
In the bunkers you can get acquainted with machine guns, guns, equipment and weapons from the time of the war with Nazi Germany. These structures are equipped with periscopes, radio stations, telephones and filtration plants. Directly in the bunkers, expositions are deployed, the central place in which is occupied by mannequins in pre-war uniforms.
On the square where the Stalin Line ICC is located (see photo below), visitors are invited to familiarize themselves withall types of fences that existed in those distant times. Among them are anti-personnel and anti-tank, made of metal, wire, concrete and wooden logs. There is also a platform with armored caps, which at different times were used in hostilities on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. These are German, dating from the period of both the First and Second World Wars, Polish and Soviet.
According to pre-war drawings, the museum recreated all the engineering equipment that was in the zone of the Minsk fortified area. The exposition presents all types of trenches, trenches, as well as anti-tank ditches of various profiles. Among the expositions of this amazing museum there are dugouts designed to shelter soldiers, positions for rifle units.
Opportunities for visitors
Viewing the ICC exposition is very interesting and informative. In addition, the Stalin Line provides unusual opportunities for visitors (see photo below). In this museum, all the exhibits are not only forbidden to be touched. Here it is allowed to sit in a chair designed for a machine gun or gunner, feeling like a real soldier, wander through the trenches and communications, look through the periscope or open embrasure of the bunker, etc.
In addition to the fortifications, the Stalin Line allows you to get acquainted with more than 160 exhibits of engineering, aviation and military equipment.
The uniqueness of the complex
Visitors of the ICC "Stalin Line", having entered the territoryexpositions plunge into the atmosphere of the Second World War. In this they are helped by exhibits preserved from those distant years, many of which show traces of bullets, shells, as well as numerous dents.
Visitors are greeted by workers of the complex, dressed in wartime uniforms. Everyone can try himself in the role of defender of the Fatherland. Tourists have the opportunity to try on the uniform and, entering the defensive structure, feel the weight of weapons in their hands.
Also offered to those who visited the Stalin Line complex, an excursion. It is conducted by a museum worker dressed in military uniform.
Where to stay for the night?
Due to the fact that the exhibition called "Stalin's Line" is located near Minsk, it is easiest for visiting visitors to stay in the capital. There are no hotels directly near the complex itself.
Food
On the territory of the unique museum there is a cafe with the original name "On a H alt". It offers to try a real soldier's rich porridge. This will allow you to feel the atmosphere of the war years far from us even more.
Family vacation spot
Many residents of Belarus enjoy visiting the Stalin Line complex. Its working hours are such that this place is often chosen for family holidays. An artificial lake has been excavated on the territory of the museum, on which a boat trip can be made. Teenagers and children are happy to try themselves in the role of "Voroshilov shooters", practicing in a pneumatic shooting range, and their parents are providedthe opportunity to try real weapons, preserved from the time of the war with Nazi Germany.
You can make a fascinating excursion to the Stalin Line ICC using the routes described above or by signing up for an excursion at the office of the Afghan Memory Charitable Foundation. Tours are organized either by buses for groups of 37 people or by minibuses with a capacity of 8 people.
On the territory of the complex, visitors will have the opportunity to shoot from a chilled MI-40-41 and PPSh assault rifle, Mosin and MP-44 rifles, Mauser, the Maxim machine gun and other weapons used in the battles for the liberation of our people.
Those who wish, groups of no more than ten people can lay a route on armored vehicles. For this, powerful military vehicles MTLB and BTR-40 are at their service. Here you can feel the power of the pre-war light tank BT-7. Riding on it is also included in the additional services of the complex.
In the ICC "Stalin Line" it is proposed to rent an ATV. This four-wheeled "iron horse" will carry its "rider" through the impassable roads with a breeze.
If you come to the museum, located right in the open air on one of the days off, then from twelve to fifteen o'clock you can get on a sightseeing flight by MI-2 helicopter. The duration of stay in the air, depending on the amount of payment, is 15, 20, 30 or 60 minutes. These flights are carried out by the head of the flying club, first-class DOSAAF instructor pilot, test pilot Nikolai Petrovich Mochansky. Being in a helicopter, you can get acquainted with the historical and cultural complex "Stalin's Line" from a height. Here, the flying club offers to order a sightseeing flight across the territory of Belarus and go through a training program that prepares amateur pilots.
In memory of the amazing museum on the territory of the ICC, you can buy soldier's flasks and badges, booklets and calendars, books and many other souvenirs. Organizations are happy to hold various corporate events in this amazing and unusual place. ICC "Stalin Line" provides an opportunity not only for active collective recreation, but also for the celebration of any celebration or anniversary.
When can I get acquainted with the complex "Stalin's Line"? The opening hours of this museum are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. One day a week (Monday) is a day off. However, it should be borne in mind that on weekdays from 6 to 8 pm there are restrictions on access to machine-gun bunkers and artillery semi-caponiers.
Contacts
You can order excursions at the office of the Afghan Memory Foundation, which is located in Minsk on Sevastopolskaya Street, house number 105. If necessary, everyone can contact the staff of the Stalin Line complex itself. The address of this museum: ICC "Stalin Line", highway "Minsk-Molodechno" P28, 31 km, Loshany, 223038, Belarus.
Role in patriotic education
For all the years of work of the ICC "Stalin's Line" it was visited by more than a million people. Among them are both residents of Belarus and foreign guests. On the territory of a truly grandiose historical and cultural complex, in addition to the usual excursionsconstantly hold large-scale theatrical performances.
They reconstruct the fighting that took place on this territory during the war against the Nazis. Days of conscripts are held here, as well as professional holidays of law enforcement agencies. On the territory of the ICC, soldiers of the army of Belarus, as well as veterans of the Second World War, are honored. Various international and youth events are held in the unique museum.
