Carthusian monastery in Bereza - This is a unique monument of architecture, striking in its scale, even being in ruins. At monastery was built Church of Saint Josephwhich has not survived to this day. Only one tower partially survived from this temple.
It is known that the construction of the monastery was carried out with the support of Leo Sapieha and started at 1648 year. The church itself was consecrated 1666 year (some sources indicate that the construction was completed in 1661).
The temple was a three-nave basilica with 3 apses and a faceted barbican, made in a complex Baroque architectural form. The same tower that can be seen today was attached to the facade.
Inside the church was divided into 2 parts - one for the monks, the second for the parishioners. That is why the temple seemed to have 2 main facades, one from the side of the gate, and the second from the side of the tower.
The best idea about the appearance of the church is given by the drawing of a famous traveler and composer. Napoleon Ordacompleted before 1866.
The history of the church is closely connected with the fate of the monastery itself. After the defeat of the uprising of 1830, which was supported by the Carthusian monks, the temple became a parish.
The condition of the building was deteriorating, which was facilitated by the Russian military, who dismantled the monastery complex into bricks for the barracks.
In 1866 the church in Bereza was finally closed.
The photographs of the early 20th century show that only the outlines of the foundation have been preserved from the church. It is not clear why they decided not to destroy this tower?
The ruins of the church of St. Joseph are located on the territory of the former monastery complex, below the mark on the map.
If you are in these parts, you can see church in the village of Seletsand also explore attractions in Pruzhany.
