Germanovichi. The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

In the past, there were several Catholic churches and chapels in the village of Germanovichi in the Sharkovshchina district of the Vitebsk region, which was determined both historically and geographically, given its proximity to the border of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. However, over time, especially with the establishment of Soviet power in the 20th century, most of the churches in the village and the surrounding area were destroyed or turned into Orthodox churches.

To date, the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord remains the only active Catholic church in Germanovichi.

The village has been mentioned in written sources since 1563, then still under the name Ermanovichi. The local church was built between 1770 and 1787, although it is sometimes referred to as the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the end of the 19th century, the number of parishioners increased to 3,000 people.

 The temple survived both world wars. It was closed in 1948, and the building was adapted for household needs. It reopened in 1988. It was re-consecrated in the same year.

The church is valuable not only for its long history, but also for its architectural features reflecting the Vilna Baroque. It is modest on the outside, but inside it pleases with the splendor of the Baroque style. The interior will amaze any connoisseur of such monuments: the Baroque altars are incredibly beautiful. Polychrome murals have partially been preserved, and there is a decorative composition of musical instruments on the parapet of the choir.

Near the church there are graves of representatives of the Shirin family, who owned the Germanovichs until 1939.

To see the temple and other sights of the village, you can take guided tours of Belarus or come on your own.