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On the memorable places of the Volovich family.

Description

The Volovich family is one of the most significant and influential noble families in the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, whose activities over the centuries have been inextricably intertwined with the cultural and spiritual heritage of Belarus.

Belonging to the 'Bagoria' coat of arms, the Volovichs held senior government positions, from chancellors and voivodes to hetmans, which allowed them not only to influence politics, but also to actively shape the architectural appearance of the Belarusian lands.


Their legacy is still alive today in the form of magnificent temples and palaces, many of which were built on their initiative and at their expense.

Prominent examples are the Church of the Holy Trinity in Gervyaty, often referred to as the "Belarusian Notre Dame", and the Grodno Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross, consecrated by Bishop Evstafy Volovich.

The family also stood at the origins of the construction of temples in Molchad, Porechye, Rogotno and Sopotskin, demonstrating its deep involvement in the religious life of the region.


One of the most striking secular gems associated with the surname is the palace and park ensemble in Svyatsk, known as the "Belarusian Versailles". This ancestral residence, created with the participation of the Italian architect Giuseppe Sacco, symbolizes the ambitions, taste and power of the Volovich family.


In addition to architectural patronage, members of the family became famous as prominent educators and reformers. Ostafiy Volovich, for example, was one of the drafters of the Statute of Grand Duchy of Lithuania, a proponent of religious tolerance and patron of the first printer Simon Budny.


Thus, the Volovichs left an indelible mark not only in stone, but also in the intellectual and legal history of Belarus, and their legacy remains an important part of the national identity.

Author: Артём Ерёменко

Trip details

Travel time:

10h 55min

Sightseeing time:

5h 15min

Distance (km):

878.7 km

By region

By region

Driving

Driving

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