Rakov District is the very historic center of Minsk that has a rich history spanning many centuries but develops in step with modern city trends.
Rakov District is a small central district of Minsk. It is bordered by three major streets, Pobediteley Avenue, Nemiga Street and Romanov Sloboda Street. Belarus Cinema is located here. The large Nemiga shopping mall houses many shops and draws large numbers of visitors on a daily basis. The historic Cathedral of Apostles Peter and Paul is located very close to the Nemiga Metro Station. The cathedral was built in the early 1600s. This district is densely packed with buildings. A big number of small restaurants and cafes is located here.
Minsk City History Museum is located here on Rakov Street. The exhibition hall started operation in 2022. The museum houses exhibits that reflect the history of the city. The museum is located in a renovated historic building. Located nearby is the Centre for Russian Science and Culture, also known as the Russian House in Minsk.
A historic building of the Minsk Yeshiva is located here on Vitebsk Street. It was built in 1880s, and the yeshiva was located in this building until 1921. Today the building houses the Rakov Brovar restaurant and brewery, opened in 1997. The central administration of the Russian Orthodox Church in Belarus is also located in Rakov District.