Pinsk. Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Franciscan monastery.

The monastery is located in the heart of the city. It is one of the largest Baroque architectural ensembles in Belarus.

The first wooden buildings in the area were founded in 1396. In 1510, a stone church was built on the site of the wooden church. In 1648, during the uprising of B. Khmelnitsky, the buildings suffered significant damage and were rebuilt.

The stone walls of the monastery were built between 1712 and 1730, while the temple underwent significant changes, including the use of 16th-century masonry. In 1817, a three-tiered stone bell tower was erected in front of the church, which was completed in the early 20th century. In the 1920s, the buildings of the monastery were also rebuilt.

Four mutually perpendicular buildings of the monastery, along with the temple, form a series of courtyards. The facades of the buildings have a flat surface, and the rhythm is created by rectangular windows. The ends of the building are decorated with baroque pediments of complex shape.

The main building of the composition, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is a three-nave two-towered basilica with rich interior decoration, including carved altars of the 18th century and frescoes of the early 20th century. The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was consecrated in 1730. The most likely years of its construction are 1712-1730.  Perhaps this ensemble includes buildings from earlier years. 

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is made in the Baroque style, which is manifested in its exquisite facades and interior. Inside, you can see beautiful altarpieces, frescoes and other decorative elements that create an atmosphere of privacy and reverence. There are 7 altars in the temple (6 wooden and one stucco). The creator of the elegant wooden carving is considered to be the Vilna master Jan Schmidt and his students. A special place in the church is occupied by the Pinsk Madonna, painted for this shrine in 1894. The walls and vaults of the church were decorated in the Art Nouveau style by Warsaw artists in 1909. The church has an old organ of 28 registers, consisting of 1,498 metal and wooden pipes, made in 1836.

The monastery also has its own unique architectural features, including courtyards and monastic cells.

Today, the church and monastery are not only religious centers, but also cultural monuments. They attract pilgrims and tourists, and also serve as a venue for various events and celebrations. Conservation and restoration work is actively underway around these buildings, which underlines their importance to the local community and the history of the region.

The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Franciscan Monastery in Pinsk are not only architectural masterpieces, but also symbols of spiritual heritage that continue to inspire people for centuries.

Story.

The history of the monastery began in 1396, when the first wooden monastery was built on this site by the monks of the Catholic Franciscan Order. Since then, it has burned down, been rebuilt, and burned down again many times (1618, 1648, 1706), until in 1730 the familiar two-tower silhouette of the Pinsk Cathedral of the Ascension of the Blessed Virgin Mary rose above the Pina River, and a little later the stone buildings of the monastery. In 1817, a free-standing three-tiered stone bell tower was erected (architect K. Kamensky), and at the beginning of the 20th century, a fourth tier and a massive dome were added to it. The Franciscan monastery, which had a parish school and a college, was closed in 1863 along with a large number of other Catholic monasteries on the territory of modern Belarus. Under Soviet rule, the temple was not closed. In 1991, after the re-establishment of the Pinsk diocese, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary acquired the status of a cathedral.

Architecture.

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is a monument of Baroque architecture, a three-aisled, two-tower basilica. The entire complex of buildings of the former Franciscan monastery occupies a block between the Pina River and the main street of the city, representing one of the main attractions of Pinsk. The interior is richly decorated with wooden gilded carvings - about a hundred sculptures and other carved elements made by master Jan Schmitt.

Initially, the church was a modest white one. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was painted. The frescoes attract attention. On the left side is a Nativity scene. An unusual plot is the artist's interpretation: not only the Magi came to worship the newborn Jesus, but also local Pinchuks in costumes of that time. On the right side is a fresco showing the removal of Jesus Christ from the cross. The "Pinsk Madonna" or "Madonna with a bang" is especially revered. This gift to the city was left by the famous artist Alfred Romer. And the model was a local Jewish girl.

The ancient organ from 1836 is one of the main characters of the church. The second largest in Belarus. One and a half thousand pipes, 28 registers. It has seen a lot in its time, survived restorations. Now in excellent shape and voice. Collects full halls and enthusiastic applause. When Bach and Tchaikovsky sound, the settings change inside. Incredible charge. You can find out about concerts on the church website. The program includes many famous musicians from different countries.