Minsk was almost completely destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in the grand Stalinist style, making it one of the best-preserved examples of Soviet urban planning anywhere. The main avenue, Independence Avenue (formerly Skoriny), is lined with monumental buildings and flanked by parks. The Great Patriotic War Museum is one of the most significant war museums in Europe. The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit and the Church of St Simon and Helena are the main historic churches. The city also has a small but genuine Old Town (Troitsky Predmestye) on the bank of the Svislach River.