GUM — Local services in Minsk

If you are in Minsk, you just MUST go to Gum! it doesn´t matter if you don´t need or want to buy anything, the visit itself is a travel experience. Travel in space and in time; the marchandise has modernize and you could find interesting things but the decor, the service and method of buying and paying is from the soviet sixties. That´s not a bad thing since it means there are always some salesperson around who could find another person who speak english and explain you things (such as the fabric in clothes and if the hats are natural fur or synthetic; don´t even try " do you have it in another color?" the concept is unkown). Nowadays there are bigger, more modern -and even less expensive stores in Minsk but Gum is both a relic and a memory. If you are thinking in some gifts to take home, skip the first floor souvenir and go directly to the 3er. floor for the tableclothes, runners, individuals, in cotton and linen, with very belarusian designs, beautiful and not expensive. Vodka? try Vulbash the best belarusian brand in the first floor. Reviewed...

Unusual attraction spot which sends you back to the history of Minsk. This object is a typical central Soviet department store so come to observe the authentic atmosphere. Of course a lot has changed since the fall of USSR and official opening of Gum in 1951. Itself building is quite picturesque. According to local city legends, Palazzo Ducale in Venice has inspired architects for this neoclassical building. As the result it is outstanding the surrounding monumental...

This simply cannot be that GUM of Minks. The store is very very dated. It departments are broken into small area that sells everything that you would expect to find in the market rather then big department store in the city centre. Has two cafe, that I would never recommend going to. It might serve good food, I would not know , but the interior and design keeps you from even walking there. Not a plus for Minks, which apart from this place managed to...