Architectural complex in the center of Pinsk
In the historical part of the city Pinsk preserved one of the largest and most beautiful monasteries Belarus. Its foundation dates back to the end of the 14th century, when monks settled here. Franciscan orders.
This architectural complex can be considered as several sights of Pinsk combined into one. First part - Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Second - Bell tower and third - residential buildings of the monastery.
The whole complex of buildings occupies a quarter between Pina River и main street of the city. The panorama of this ensemble opens beautifully from the river and the vast expanses of the right bank.
The history of the Franciscan monastery in the city of Pinsk
Also in 1396 year, at the expense Prince Sigismund Keistutovich, the first wooden church and monastery were laid. The Franciscan monks actively developed the region and in 1510 a stone one was erected on the site of a wooden church.
In the course of time and history, the monastery was repeatedly attacked. So in 1648, during the uprising of Bogdan Khmelnitsky, the monastery in Pinsk was seriously damaged. Through the efforts of the monks, it was quickly restored by 1651. New troubles came with the beginning of the Swedish war, when the monastery buildings were completely destroyed.
Church in Pinsk
Interesting fact: Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - this is one of the three churches in Belarus with an honorary title minor basilica. The church in the Baroque architectural style began to be built at the beginning of the 18th century, and completed in 1730.
The Pinsk church partially preserved the masonry and fragments of the walls of the predecessor temple of 1510. The temple is three-aisled, with two baroque towers. The central place in the composition is occupied by a facade with a decorative spike.
Bell tower in the Franciscan monastery
As early as the beginning of the 19th century, in 1817 year, a three-tier stone bell tower was built. Designed by the architect Kamensky.
Interestingly, in the first half of the 20th century, another tier was added to the bell tower. The tower can still be seen in this form today.
Franciscan monastery in Pinsk, under which the parish school operated and the collegium was closed in 1863. A similar fate befell many other Catholic monasteries and churches on the territory of modern Belarus.
After these events, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary turned from a monastic one into an ordinary one - a parish one.
The buildings of the monastery were rebuilt in the 1920s.
Under Soviet rule, the church in Pinsk was not closed. The name of the cardinal is also closely associated with this temple. Kazimierz Swiatek, who is the only Belarusian cardinal in the 20th century. In 1954, Sviontek returned from the Stalinist camps and from that moment on he served in the church for more than 50 years.
In 1991 year Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary acquired the status of a cathedral. In 2001, on the initiative of Cardinal Swiatek, the Pinsk Seminary was recreated (one of two, along with the Grodno seminary, Catholic seminaries in Belarus). The school is located in the buildings of the former monastery at the cathedral. The former Franciscan monastery is located on Lenin's pedestrian street, you definitely won't be able to pass by.
Near look the old college of the Jesuits и Butrimovich's palace. More interesting sights of Belarus on the map.
You can write and talk about Pinsk for a long time, but in short, the Franciscan monastery is one of the 3 attractions that you absolutely must visit!