Nesvizh. The Orthodox church of the Most Holy Body of God.

The city of Nesvizh in the Minsk region is widely known for its unique sights and architectural monuments. One of the most significant sites is the Jesuit Church, also known as the Church of the Most Holy Body of God. This temple was the first in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, built in the early Baroque style. The church houses the largest family tomb of the Radziwill family, which preserves the memory of their glory and power.

The construction of the orthodox church was carried out from 1578 to 1593 according to the project of the famous Italian architect Giovanni Maria Bernardoni, who was invited to Nesvizh at the personal invitation of Nikolai Radziwill Sirotka. The official consecration of the temple took place in 1601, and from that moment it received its current name. Initially, the church belonged to the Jesuits who lived in Nesvizh, and even then it became a tomb for members of the Radziwill family. After the abolition of the Jesuit Order in 1773, the church became the main Catholic church of the parish.

The Jesuit Church became famous throughout Europe not only for its architecture, but also for the magnificent paintings of the XVIII century. The church was painted after its reconstruction in 1750-1753, and the unique frescoes reflected the idea of the Eucharist, one of the most important themes of the Christian Church. Most of the compositions were created based on the samples of engravings by the famous Dutch artist Peter Paul Rubens.

The facade of the church in Nesvizh has two levels, with an emphasis on vertical and horizontal divisions. The vertical elements are made in the form of pilasters, and the horizontal ones are in the form of wide cornices. The upper level of the facade is decorated with curved shapes typical of the Baroque, and many niches with sculptures.

The interior of the church impresses with its biblical compositions and figures of saints decorating the dome and vaults of the temple. Perfectly executed paintings combined with illusory architecture create a stunning panoramic effect, demonstrating all the possibilities of the art of the XVIII century. An active organ has also been preserved in the church. The founders of the temple, Prince Radziwill Sirotka and his two sons, are immortalized in sculptural tombstones.

In the underground part of the church of the Most Holy Body of God is the tomb of the Radziwills, which contains 71 sarcophagi and a number of burials in wall niches. The last burial took place here in 2000, when the urn with the ashes of Anthony Radziwill, who died in London in 1999, was delivered to the family tomb according to his will. Not far from the church there is a bell tower equipped in the Castle Gate tower, which once stood on the way from the city to the castle residence.