Mahiloŭ - 1982

That’s another set of postcards from Belarus I was lucky to find at “Dry Bridge” – a famous flea market in Tbilisi, Georgia. The photos take us back in time to Mahiloŭ, let’s see what it looked like in the 1980-s!

#1 Mahiloŭ theater

One of the oldest theaters in Belarus was built in 1888. It has been preserved well throughout the years, unlike the rest of the historical center here – many great examples of local architecture were destroyed in WW2 and later in the BSSR.

#2 “Strommashina”

Strommashina, founded in 1913 in Mogilev, Belarus, was a major Soviet-era machinery plant. Originally a copper foundry, it was nationalized in 1920 and later focused on producing equipment for the construction materials industry. During WWII, it was evacuated, and in 1946 became part of the Soviet Ministry of Construction Machinery.

Strommashina reached peak production in the 1960s–1980s, manufacturing elevators, cranes, and mining equipment, with exports across the USSR and beyond. It played a key role in projects like the Moscow Metro. After 2000, financial struggles grew, leading to bankruptcy in 2015. Despite its closure, Strommashina remains a symbol of Mogilev's industrial heritage.

#3 Hotel “Mogilev”

Hotel Mogilev is a landmark 13-story hotel located in the heart of the city. Designed by architect Georgy Benediktov, it was one of the tallest and most modern buildings in the region at that time.

#4 Tourist center “Dniepr”

It was built in 1972 as part of a wave of Soviet riverside recreational sites, linked closely to Mogilev’s river cruise and leisure traditions. It functioned as a key public summer destination and docking point on the Dniapro river.

#5 Ethnographic museum

Founded in 1981 as a branch of the regional museum, it initially operated in a small wooden house built in the early 20th century. Growing collection required more space, so the museum moved to a new building in the 90-s.

#6 Lenina Square

It was 40th anniversary of the Soviet Revolution, when a bronze statue of Vladimir I. Lenin (4.5 m high) was unveiled in front of the regional House of Soviets. The Soviet era is long gone, but such monuments are still there in most Belarusian cities and towns.

#7-10 WWII Monuments

You will surely find such postcards in any soviet set regardless of the city. War memorials are important places to honour the memory of the fallen soldiers, partisans, civilians who defended or liberated a particular place.

The monuments of vehicles as symbols of victory seem a bit confusing, since there is often no connection to army regiments or events, just like the one presented here:

One of the postcards depicts the sculpture of Iosif Iraklievich Gusakovsky (born in Mahilou region), who was a Soviet military leader during World War II, He was twice awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for his command of the 44th Guards Tank Brigade.

#11-12 Soviet architecture

Soviet architecture in the 1970s–1980s shifted toward standardized mass housing and austere modernist public buildings, with hints of brutalist and expressionist styles appearing in high-profile or symbolic structures. It reflected the dual need to be economically efficient and ideologically monumental.

Here are the examples of residential buildings:

And the concert hall you may still find in the city:

So, that makes it a dozen of postcards of the epoch. I would also add a picture of the origal envelope:

Unfortunately, that's another example of how soviet publishers economized on quality in order to get huge number of copies at a low price. Back then you would buy such a set not because you really liked it, but because there were no alternatives.

Nevertheless, such postcards are interesting artefacts of that time, perhaps they could bring some warm memories to those who come from this city or would be of some interest to local historians and tourist guides.

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