One of the main and most interesting sights of the city Vileika - Exaltation of the Cross Church, located in the historical center. This temple began to be built in the first half of the 20th century, but the history of the Catholic parish begins much earlier.
The role of the church in Vileyka for many years was performed by a small wooden chapel, which completely burned down in 1810. It was this event that became the impetus for the construction of the first stone temple. By the middle of the 19th century, the old chapel was restored, and in 1862 work began on the construction of a new church on the initiative of priest Severin Mikutovich.
However, the events of 1863-64 and the suppression of the uprising made unpleasant adjustments for the Catholic parish. The unfinished structure of the church was handed over to the Orthodox Church, which was completed in 1874 and consecrated in honor of St. George. The temple has not been preserved, it was located on the site of the Belarusbank building on Vodopyanov Street 19.
The construction of a modern church in Vileyka took almost 7 years and was completed in 1913. The Vileyka temple was built of yellow brick according to the project of the architect August Klein, it combines the features of neo-gothic and neo-romanesque style. The money for this project was allocated by the local gentry Alexander Lyubansky (owner of the Voroncha estate).
The temple was consecrated in the name of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, but more often it is called the Exaltation of the Cross.
The First World War left its traces on the appearance of the church, the building was quite badly damaged during shelling, but was timely restored in the late 20s.
The consequences of the Second World War and subsequent years were deplorable. Like many other churches throughout the country, the church in Vileyka was closed, after which it was converted into a warehouse.
Returned to Catholics in 1990, it is fully operational today and open to all comers. Nearby you can see another attraction of the city - Church of Saint Mary of Egypt.
An interesting fact: the monument to Lenin, located on the central square, was turned the other way until the mid-60s.
The church is located in the very center of the city of Vileyka, on the street October 2, below the mark on the map:
What other interesting places are worth visiting near Vileyka? There is a village a few kilometers from the city Vyazynwhere is located unusual church и wooden church, both objects are worthy of attention. And if you are interested in natural objects, then I advise you to swim on bird island.
