Isle of Tears

A small bridge crosses the Svisloch River and leads to the Isle of Tears. This memorial to "the Sons of Motherland Perished Abroad" was unveiled in Aug 1996. Planned as the memorial to the soldiers perished in Afghanistan, it has become the monument to the sons and daughters of Belarus killed in the battlefields of any war. About 30 thousand Belarusian fought in the Afghanistan War, 771 of them have never come back.






The fountain, located next to the memorial, with an angel weeping, is a favorite spot to throw in money and make a wish. Since all their money is paper it is found floating on top of the water.






It also a favorite place for couple to get married. This is symbolized by putting a padlock on the fence going into the memorial. The couple's name and date they were married is engraved on the lock.