Built in 1951, Minsk's showcase department store is a must for fans of Stalinist architecture. Otherwise it's a fairly dreary shopping experience, full of stalls selling cheap shampoo, fake leather and those plastic things people use to beat their rugs. Then again, they could come in handy on the metro...
GUM (ГУМ) comments
- Letitia - USA, Vermont, Brattleboro
Actually, the linen fabric selection is usually excellent. Much of the linens are first-class quality and very cheap compared to what you might buy in the West. When I went there the color selection was very wide, with only orange shades missing. This part of Europe has a long tradition of turning flax into linen, with Lithuania next door also offering nice material but for higher prices. For the more adventurous chocolate lover, GUM was selling chocolate facial mask cream under the Belkosmex brand. Highly recommended for an unusual cosmetic experience. Look for it at the Belkosmex counter.Also, there should be a Belarus chatchki stand near the main staircase on the first floor. Great trinkets from Belarus, including kitchen magnets to impress all your friends and bobble-headed dogs wearing Lenin caps. GUM is also one of the last places on earth to buy genuine hammer and sickle boxer shorts.
YOUR COMMENTS
Nezavisimosti (Skoriny) 23 (Независимости 23)
tel. (+375) 227 88 76
Open 09:00-21:00,
Sun 10:00-19:00.
Metro station:
Oktyabrskaya (Октябрьская)
Sep
2009