Top Shrines Inscribed on UNESCO's Tentative World Heritage List

Which churches and Roman Catholic churches are candidates for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List?

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Murovanka

The mighty walls of this temple, built in the first half of the 16th century, remember many historical events. Towers, loopholes, strong brickwork - thanks to these architectural solutions, the church became not only a place of prayer, but also a reliable shelter from enemies in wartime. The building stands on a foundation of unprocessed stones. The rather brutal appearance of the monument is complemented by refined decorations: decorative ornamental belts, niches and cornices.

Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist in Kamai

One of the oldest Catholic churches in our country has never been closed in four centuries of its history. Two majestic towers with embrasures on its main facade remind that the building served not only religious but also defensive functions. And although the Roman Catholic church's exterior is not rich in decoration, its restrained architecture impresses tourists with a combination of Renaissance sophistication and Gothic severity. The interior of the shrine is filled with numerous items of sacred art, including an ancient miraculous icon of the Mother of God. In addition, the sound of a three-hundred-year-old organ can be heard in the Roman Catholic church.

Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Polotsk

One of the oldest stone buildings in Belarus attracts many pilgrims. The history of the church is closely connected with the name of Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk. With her blessing, the architect John began to build the temple. Within these walls was also the cell of the Belarusian saint. The legendary altar cross created by Lazar Bogsha was kept here. The temple impresses with its masterly paintings on the walls and vaults. The 12th-century frescoes depict biblical scenes and the faces of saints. Some of the images are unique. For example, researchers discovered a rare scene in the church called "Saint Anthony and the Centaur". Thanks to the painstaking work of restorers, the paintings have been cleared of later layers.

Boris and Gleb (Kolozha) Church in Grodno

It is considered one of the oldest temples in Eastern Europe: it was built in the 12th century. The building is made in line with Byzantine traditions, however, in world architecture there is not a single structure completely identical to the Grodno one. The temple has excellent acoustics. It is provided by many resonant vessels, built into the walls made of plinth brick. Kolozha is also famous for its facade design. They are decorated with crosses made of majolica and large polished stones. The church has suffered many destructions. Damage was caused by bloody wars and the whims of nature. In the 19th century, two walls collapsed due to landslides. Subsequently, the destroyed stone structures were replaced with wooden ones. This explains the unusual appearance in which the monument has been preserved to this day.

Saint Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk

The majestic temple in Vilnius Baroque style with two towers rises on the steep bank of the Western Dvina. However, the monument acquired its familiar appearance only in the 18th century. To this day, St. Sophia Cathedral has survived in a significantly altered form, since over the course of its centuries-old history, it has repeatedly been subjected to destruction, fires and reconstruction. In 1710, the temple was severely damaged by the explosion of a gunpowder warehouse located in it. The last reconstruction of the cathedral was carried out under the direction of one of the most sought-after architects of his era, Jan Glaubitz, in the mid-18th century.

The temple was founded in the middle of the 11th century. It not only served as a spiritual center, but also testified to the power of Polotsk principality. In addition to divine services, important state ceremonies and receptions were held in the cathedral.

Today, the oldest stone building on Belarusian lands houses a museum. Visitors can see the building's historical foundation, fragments of masonry and paintings, works of sacred art and other artifacts.

On Sundays, Polotsk residents and guests of the city are invited to organ concerts.

Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Synkovichi

The architectural monument was erected at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. The religious building combines the features of Byzantine temple architecture and the Gothic features of European castles. There are turrets at the corners, and a row of loopholes runs along the top of the walls. These features are reminiscent of the defensive function of the structure. It is noteworthy that the church's chronicle does not contain any evidence of the destruction it experienced. Synkovichi shrine has steadfastly survived all the trials that befell it over its long history.