Date :
Saturday, November 22, 2025
In the far southwest of Belarus, in the small village of Dubitsa in the Brest Region, lies one of the most unusual railway sites in the country. This tiny, almost toy-like station is the only one in the region included in the State List of Historical and Cultural Heritage. The old red-brick building, surrounded by oak trees and the border strip, looks as though time stopped here at the end of the 19th century.
Where Borders and Destinies Meet
Dubitsa is a village located right at the edge of Belarus: only about fifty metres separate the station from the border with Poland. The Western Bug River flows just behind the building, and the proximity of another country can be felt immediately – the quiet forest, the stillness, and the occasional sound of the diesel train running between Brest and Włodawa. The station’s remoteness and preserved authenticity make it a unique place where visitors can see 19th-century railway architecture in nearly its original form.
Strategic Importance and the Birth of the Station
The history of the station dates back to the late 19th century, during the development of the Brest–Chełm railway line. The decision to build the line was made in 1884, and train service began in 1887. Dubitsa station was constructed in 1897, marking the tenth anniversary of the line. The exact reason for placing the station here is unknown, but researchers believe it was tied to nearby crossings, bridges, and the historic St. Onuphrius Monastery in Jabłeczna on the opposite riverbank.
The architecture of the station is particularly notable. Built in the style of industrial Gothic with elements of Art Nouveau – a rare combination for Belarusian railway stations – it features massive red-brick walls, decorative niches, arches, and expressive cornices. If you look closely, you can still see the fingerprints of the craftsmen who shaped the bricks over 120 years ago – small traces of the past that have remarkably survived.
A Station That Survived the War
During World War II, the station found itself in the middle of fierce fighting. A military command post stood nearby, and the 15th Border Outpost defended the area. The soldiers were among the first to face the enemy and held their ground with extraordinary courage. One of them, Junior Sergeant Novikov, became a legend: he held off enemy forces for two days while hiding inside a hollow oak tree. Today, memorial obelisks near the station commemorate the fallen defenders, and the very oak from the stories still grows close by.
Despite bombings and battles, the station building survived. Bullet marks remain visible on its walls – mute witnesses to wartime events. The building was restored in 1944, and since then its appearance has changed very little.
An Open-Air Film Set
Since the early 2000s, Dubitsa has become a popular location for film directors. Its authentic appearance, almost untouched since the era of the Russian Empire, makes it an ideal natural film set. Episodes of well-known films have been shot here, including “Fortress of Brest,” “Cadets,” “Sniper 2: Tungus,” “The Role,” “Saga of the Khanty,” “Hunt for the Gauleiter,” “Interrupted Memories,” and others. Station workers even keep an autograph album signed by visiting actors and film crews – a small museum inside the tiny station building.
Architectural and Historical Value
The station building is a rare example of compact railway architecture from the late 19th century. It consists of three parts: a central two-storey block, a narrower southern section, and a long one-storey wing to the north. This composition gives the building a distinctive silhouette, while the decorative elements create a unique visual character.
The foundation extends three metres underground – a sign of high construction quality. Wooden sleepers, old track switches, and the surrounding landscape have survived almost unchanged. Together, they make the station not only a historical relic but also an important architectural monument of Belarus’s railway heritage.
Why Visitors Should See Dubitsa
The Dubitsa railway station is a place where history can be felt in every brick. Here you can:
• experience the atmosphere of the borderland,
• see a rare architectural monument from the 19th century,
• walk through a location used in dozens of film productions,
• visit memorials dedicated to border defenders,
• enjoy peaceful walks along the Bug River and the surrounding forests.
This is a destination for travellers seeking something truly authentic. The small station, red-brick walls, tall oaks and the slow rhythm of the borderland train create a special, cinematic mood.
For history enthusiasts, railway lovers or those who appreciate quiet and atmospheric places, Dubitsa is sure to become a memorable discovery.