Alexander Square in Minsk was founded in 1836 and named in honor of Alexander Nevsky. Now officially it is called simply "Central Square". Square is a popular, widely held in Minsk name - "Panikovka."

At the end of the XIX century, a lively market town Minsk began to flourish. Unfortunately, construction was chaotic. In Minsk there was a large number of squatter markets - dirty and unsafe. In 1836 the authorities in Minsk to come Mayor Leopold V. Depalts. Depalts immediately proceeded to the improvement of the city and did so often at his own expense. He drew attention to an area called the New Market or Novomeysky - dirty, overgrown with weeds and pitted with holes rectangular vacant lot used by peasants on Sundays as an agricultural and equestrian markets. On the money Leopold Depalts lined area of ​​the former wasteland and obsadil its trees: lindens and maples, and peasant horse fair moved out of town. In place of the New Market was formed boulevard used by merchants for a noble trade.

In 1867, there were paved alleys and boulevard began to acquire features of the park. In 1869, at the entrance to the park it was consecrated a chapel of Alexander Nevsky, which was built in honor of Emperor Alexander deliverance from danger after the attempt on his life terrorist DV Karakozov. The chapel was the icon of Alexander Nevsky. Unfortunately, the chapel existed until 1929. During the Soviet era it was converted into a newsstand, and then completely demolished.

The most recognizable symbol of the Alexander square is a fountain "boy playing with a swan." His original name - "Cupid and The Swan." Author - TE Khalid, a famous sculptor, to create sculptures of metal. Similar fountains were cast and installed in many major European cities. The fountain was opened in 1874 in honor of the momentous event - the construction of urban water supply with pure artesian water. Originally the fountain was surrounded by bronze toad mouth which beat the water jets, and swimming in the pool fish and turtles.

At the end of the XIX century Alexander Square was the fashionable place to explore the wealthy. Nearby was a pavilion of artificial mineral waters. Hydrotherapy was fashionable among the educated respectable public.

In 1890, by architects K. Vvedensky and K. Kozlowski, at the southern end of the square was built Minsk City Theatre. At the opening was attended by members of the imperial family. Today, the theater is called the National Theater named after Yanka Kupala.

In the Alexander park is the most unusual in the world of building a public toilet. Urban legend has it that the architect has created a replica of the house of man, who harbored a grudge. Toilet constructed in the Empire style and is a true architectural masterpiece.

In the years after the Revolution Square, Alexander experienced many dramatic events, being an arena of revolutionary struggle. During the Great Patriotic War Square suffered at the hands of the fascist invaders. The Nazis used the beautiful square for public executions. About these hard times shows the monument Anikeichik and Levin, built on the site of executions of members of the Communist underground in 1979. During Soviet times the square of the Alexander festive demonstration.

The modern look of the Alexander Square acquired after major renovation, carried out in 2006. Now it is a favorite vacation spot of Minsk, landmark, gladly visited by tourists.