Svobody Square is one of the central squares in Minsk. From the moment of its formation in the 16th century until the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812 (the French, who captured Minsk, renamed it into Napoleon Square), the square was called Upper Market due to the fact that the main market and the largest shops were located here. In medieval times, the square was the seat of the Magistrate, the city's main authority. The square was surrounded by churches of various denominations, and the most noble families were honoured with the right of residence. Kings of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth stayed in the royal residence on the Square in different centuries, Swedish King Charles XII, Marshal Davout of France, Russian Tsar Peter I, most Russian emperors, Hetman Mazepa visited here. The most important decisions were made in this part of the city until the 30s of the 20th century. In 1917 the square received its current name - Freedom Square, while continuing to be the "heart" of the city: since 1919 the government of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic was located here. During the Second World War, the square was severely damaged and therefore lost its political significance, remaining in "oblivion" until recently. Today, the architectural appearance of the square is being recreated, a striking example of which is the City Hall, built in accordance with ancient drawings.
