Synkovichi. Church of the Holy Archangel Michael.

The Synkovichi Church is considered the most mysterious temple in Belarus. Historians constantly argue about its age and origin, shrouded in mystery.

Some believe that the construction is connected with the name of the Grand Duke of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Vitovt, who was captured and locked in the Krevo Castle by Prince Jagiello. However, he managed to escape and hid from persecution in these lands. After coming to power, Vitovt decided to found a church in the area where he found salvation, and ordered the construction of a unique church-fortress.

There is also an opinion that the Church of St. Michael the Archangel was built in the first half of the 16th century with funds from the Grand Hetman of Lithuania, Konstantin Ostrovsky.

They also say that during the restoration work carried out in the temple, an inscription was discovered under the plaster with the date 1213 in ancient Greek with the words of the Apostle John.

The temple with massive brick walls looks like a real fortress. The high walls are 1.5 m thick. The church is a three-nave rectangular structure with four defensive towers at the corners and a gabled, pointed roof.

The Synkovichi Church was built on the model of the Bernardine Church in Vilnius. Similar churches include the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Muravanka, 30 km from Lida, and the Annunciation Church in Suprasl, Poland.

The church is known throughout Belarus and beyond for its miraculous icon of the Mother of God "The Tsaritsa". There is a copy of the icon, which was painted specifically for the Church of the Holy Archangel Michael in Synkovichi on Mount Athos in Greece directly from the original. Parishioners say that even the copy has amazing power and works real miracles.

The church is also famous for the unusual sound of its bells. Five bells were specially cast for the Mikhailovskaya Church and their sound is unrivaled in Belarus.

The Synkovichi Church is a unique monument of church architecture, one of the oldest churches. It is a wonderful example of Orthodox Gothic and a fortress church. If you are passing through Slonim by car, you should definitely visit it!