One of the first World War II museums anywhere, originally opened in 1944 before the war had even ended. Belarus lost roughly a quarter of its population during the conflict -- the highest per capita loss of any country -- and the museum does not shy away from that scale of suffering. The exhibits cover partisan resistance, the occupation, and the liberation, including a detailed section on the Maly Trostenets death camp.
The museum moved to a striking new building near the Minsk Hero City obelisk in 2014. The modern galleries use immersive dioramas, original equipment, and personal artefacts across ten themed halls. Allow at least two hours. Open 10am-6pm, closed Monday.