Druya. Annunciation Church.

In the past, Druya was so populated that it was called a city, but over time the population decreased and now it is an ordinary Belarusian village.

The first mention of Druya dates back to 1386. During the time of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, it was an important trade center.

It is here that the Church of the Annunciation is located, which locals also call the Savior-Annunciation. It received its name in honor of the first divine service, which took place on the day of the great church holiday – the Annunciation.

Historical records indicate that it was built in a mixed style, combining elements of the Baroque and retrospective-Russian trends. Even today, architects can see traces of these styles by examining the preserved fragments.

There are many legends about the appearance of the church. According to one version, in the 18th century it was rebuilt from a church that had existed in Druja since the 16th century. However, these are only local traditions, and the exact history of the Annunciation Church remains unknown.

For a long time it was the only Orthodox church in the Braslav region. Peter I himself appreciated his grace.

During the Great Patriotic War, the Nazis organized a Jewish ghetto in Druya, and then brutally shot local residents. However, the church building survived and was not damaged.

The church operated for more than 200 years until it was closed in 1960 for unknown reasons. So that the building would not be empty, it was first handed over to the Roma community, and then used as a warehouse.

Local residents, trying to preserve the shrine, created an altar in the church on their own and held divine services there, raising funds for restoration. The restoration of the temple began relatively recently, and work is currently underway to restore it.

Tourists should visit this place to experience the spirit of Belarusian church architecture.