Minsk. Alexander Square

The idea of creating a park belonged to Leopold Delpac, who was the head of the city. Thanks to his initiative, a modest alley was fenced and a pedestrian path was laid. At the same time, Karl Marx Streets, Yanka Kupala, Independence Avenue and Krasnoarmeyskaya Street, which then had other names, were formed around the square.

Alexander Square is also known as "Panikovka". This is due to the fountain "The Boy with the Swan", which many associate with the hero Panikovsky from the famous book "The Golden Calf". The fountain was built in 1874, when the city had a water supply with pure artesian water, and is one of the oldest operating fountains in the capital. The fountain's author is Theodor Kalide.

The alley of the square performed an important function: students and officials came here to relax and unwind after a hard day. Over time, the square became more and more well-groomed and cozy. Gradually, new flower beds were laid out, benches were installed, and paths were updated.

In 1890, the square acquired a new remarkable building — the current Yanka Kupala Theater, formerly known as the Minsk City Theater. The bust of the poet was installed at the entrance in the middle of the XX century, but in 1972 it was moved to Kupala's native village, Vyazinka.

After the Second World War, in 1955, the square was additionally surrounded by a granite wall on one side and a reliable metal fence on the other. Columns, updated benches, granite vases appeared in the park, the number of entrances was increased, new flower beds and lawns were added, and a grandstand was erected.

During the Great Patriotic War, the secretary of the Minsk Underground City Committee, Isai Kazinets, was hanged next to the square, in whose honor a memorial plaque was erected.