Belarus is a land with deep historical roots and rich spiritual heritage. One of the most striking evidence of this is the ancient temples that have passed through the centuries. In this tour, we present to your attention a dozen of the oldest churches in Belarus, testifying to the deep roots of the Orthodox and Catholic faith in this land.These temples represent an important part of the cultural heritage and history of the country. Built in different historical periods, they demonstrate the development of architectural styles.Currently, they have not lost their charm and are a real testament to bygone times.

The Annunciation Church is not only the oldest Vitebsk church, but also one of the oldest buildings in the city. 
The exact time of construction is unknown. According to the city chronicle, the temple was erected in the year of the founding of the city of Vitebsk (974) by Princess Olga. Archaeologists have established that the church was built between 1120 and 1130.

Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Vitebsk. Annunciation Church.

St. Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk appeared in the 11th century. The temple began to be built when it was decided to move the city center from the old settlement.  
The imposing building was erected by Byzantine builders and ordinary residents of the city in 1044-1066 by order of Grand Duke Vseslav the Magician. 

St. Sophia Cathedral (Polotsk)

The Holy Trinity Church in the village of Ishkold is a rare Gothic church, one of the oldest monuments of Catholic architecture in Belarus. It was built and consecrated in 1472 at the expense of a representative of the ancient noble family of Nikolai Ivanovich Nemirovich.
It is known that the Trinity Church has not been rebuilt, and today it is of special historical value and is protected by the state.

The oldest authentic church in Belarus that has not been rebuilt.

Ishkold. Church of the Holy Trinity.

The Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Novogrudok is an architectural monument of the Renaissance, built by Grand Duke Vytautas in the Gothic style at the end of the 14th century, rebuilt in the Sarmatian Baroque style at the beginning of the 18th century.
Important historical events are connected with this church: King of Poland Jagailo and Sofia Golshanskaya were married here; Adam Mickiewicz was baptized; the relics of 11 Nazarene sisters, canonized, are kept here. The revered Catholic miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Novogrudok is also located in the church.

Novogrudok. The Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

Novogrudok Borisoglebsky Cathedral is the most ancient temple in the city.
It was built on the site of an ancient temple of the 12th century, fragments of the foundation of which have survived to this day.

Novogrudok. The Church of Saints Boris and Gleb.

The Church of St. Casimir in the agricultural town of Vselyub was recognized as the oldest Catholic church in Belarus. The exact date of construction of the church in Vselyub is unknown. Its first mention occurred in 1422. It is assumed that the church was founded by Jan Nemira, because it was on his seal that the church of St. Casimir was first mentioned. 
The temple is an example of a monument reflecting the traditions of Belarusian architecture and the Western Gothic school.

The oldest Catholic church in Belarus, which is an example of a monument reflecting the traditions of Belarusian architecture and the Western Gothic school.

Vselyub. The Church of St. Casimir.

The Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Murovanka, Grodno region (also known as Malomozheykovskaya) is a fortress–type temple of the XVI century. A unique architectural monument of the Gothic-Renaissance style, built, as is commonly believed, in 1524.
The temple in Murovanka is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list.

Murovanka. The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin.

Borisoglebskaya Church is a unique monument of Russian temple architecture, preserved since the 12th century. Today it is one of the oldest functioning Orthodox churches in Belarus. It was built in the 1140s and 1170s by the appanage princes Boris and Gleb, the sons of Prince Vsevolod Davidovich. According to another version, the church appeared a little later, it was built by the sons of the princes in 1180.

Kolozha (Boris and Gleb) Church

Grodno. Kolozha (Boris and Gleb) Church.

Synkovichi Church is considered the most mysterious temple in Belarus. Historians are constantly arguing about his age and origin, shrouded in mystery. 
Some believe that the construction is connected with the name of the Grand Duke Vytautas.
It is also believed that the Church of St. Michael the Archangel was built in the first half of the 16th century at the expense of the Grand Hetman of Lithuania Konstantin Ostrovsky.
And they also say that during the restoration work carried out in the temple, an inscription was uncovered under the plaster with the date 1213 in ancient Greek with the words of the Apostle John.

A unique monument of church architecture, one of the oldest churches, a church-fortress.

Synkovichi. Church of the Holy Archangel Michael.

The Church of the Holy Trinity in the agricultural town of Chernavchitsy is one of the oldest stone churches in Belarus.
The church was built of brick in 1583 at the expense of one of the richest magnates of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Radziwill “Sirotka".

TOP 10 oldest churches in Belarus.

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