Minsk. Visit to the confectionery factory "Kommunarka".

From Georges Rachkovsky's coffee shop to the leader of the confectionery market.

The history of "Kommunarka" began more than a hundred years ago. The countdown has been going on since 1905, when entrepreneur Georgy Rachkovsky opened a coffee shop in Minsk with a confectionery workshop, which later turned into the "George" factory. After the revolution, the company was nationalized, and in 1929, in honor of the 12th anniversary of October, it received the name "Kommunarka". It was here that famous candies that we still love were born in the 1930s, for example, the legendary "Belarusian potato" and the glazed candy "Kommunarka".

How is the tour going?: from history to tasting.

The factory tour lasts about 1.5 hours and is conducted for organized groups (up to 40-45 people). The route is designed to immerse visitors in the process of creating chocolate from the very beginning.

It all starts in a cozy lounge, where guests will receive a warm welcome with tea or coffee and a tasting of several types of sweets. Here you will learn about the history of the company, see an educational film about how cocoa beans overcome the path from a plantation to a bar of chocolate.

The most exciting thing is a walk through the existing workshops. You will walk through the chocolate and candy industries, see how modern automated lines cast chocolate, shape candies and wrap them in bright wrappers. Special delight is caused by the moments when, right during the tour, you can taste the freshest candies that have just rolled off the assembly line.

What the visitors say: it's delicious, but there are nuances...

The reviews of tourists are generally very positive. Almost everyone notes the generosity of the program: an abundance of tastings during the tour and a pleasant sweet gift at the end. Guides, in particular Elena, are often praised for their dedication and love of their work.

However, there are also criticisms that should be considered when planning. Due to the large number of people in the group and the strict production rhythm, the tour of the workshops sometimes takes place very quickly, and visitors do not always have time to examine the equipment in detail or hear the guide's story due to lagging behind the group. Some guests also note that the actual stay in the production area takes less time than the theoretical part in the hall.

Useful information to visit:

· Address: Minsk, Aranskaya str., 18 (central entrance).

· Opening hours: Guided tours take place on weekdays and Saturdays. Pre-registration is required by phone +375 17 229-27-75 or through marketing specialists.

· Cost: the basic excursion package with tasting and sweet souvenir is 45 Belarusian rubles per person. There are also extended packages with hot drinks, lunch or a visit to a coffee shop.

An excursion to the "Kommunarka" is a great opportunity to touch the history, see the power of the Belarusian food industry and just have fun. The main thing is to set a dynamic pace and remember that you are going to an existing production facility, not a museum. And the emotions and sweet gifts received more than compensate for all the organizational nuances.