The oldest park in Minsk and founded in 1800 as the City Gardens, Gorky Park received its current name in honour of the Soviet-era writer in 1936. Originally designed along the lines of a classic English park, the hugely popular public space has seen many transformations over the years. Now geared towards children although frequented by people of all ages, it’s home among other things to an amusement park complete with a 56-metre Ferris wheel, a small observatory and planetarium and an indoor skating rink. During the summer it’s possible for children to take a ride round the park on a pony.