Borisoglebsk church in Grodno and the temple in Mogilev: description, photo

Borisoglebsk church in Grodno is a true architectural masterpiece, a unique monument of Eastern European medieval history, in particular Belarus.

This temple is not like other similar structures that were built in north-western Russia. The Church of Boris and Gleb in Grodno has been standing for nine centuries, and because of its historical and architectural value, it was included in the list of UNESCO pre-list objects.

History of the temple

It is not known exactly when the church was started. However, the researchers believe that the stone temple on the coast of Neman was erected from about 1140 to 1170. He was founded by the sons of the prince of the city of Grodno named Vsevolod.

The temple is named after the first two saints of ancient Russia - Boris and Gleb. The building is also better known as the Kolozha church, which is connected with the presence of the Kolozhany tract in the city, in the place of which it was erected. With the word "Kolozhany" there are related words that were used, meaning a beating spring.

Architectural style

Borisoglebsk church is considered to be a unique example of the ancient technology of ancient Russian architects-masons. To be precise, this is a work of masters, who are referred to the Grodno school. The architectural structure of the temple should belong to the traditional canons of Byzantine church architecture, but it has no direct analogue either in Russia or in the Balkans.

Why is this building considered unique? In particular, due to the large number of vessels made of ceramics, which are also called voice. They are built into the walls and come out on the outside with a neck, which means that for many centuries the temple has retained an excellent acoustics, which allows beautifully singing church hymns. The interior of the building is decorated with unique frescoes. Their remains were discovered more than forty years ago on the altar and other elements of the structure.

The Present State of the Church

To date, the Borisoglebsk church is one of the oldest Belarusian monasteries, which still operate today. In addition, there is a Sunday school and a house church. In the nineties there was a threat that landslides would begin. To prevent this phenomenon, the river was strengthened. At the same time, reconstruction work began in this temple. But because of the difficult geological conditions of the landscape and the lack of verified information about what the original appearance of the church was, they were suspended.

The architects presented a plan for what should be the reconstruction of the Borisoglebsk temple, so that it looked like it was before the catastrophic events in the middle of the XIX century, which changed the appearance of the building. Several years ago in the Belarusian mass media there was information about the beginning of the public action on the restoration of the Kolozhi, which was aimed at raising funds for the restoration of the ancient building. There are also ideas for creating a smaller copy near the temple. Kolozhskaya church, which they want to restore using modern materials and technologies, would be an interesting landmark.

Monuments and sights of Mogilev

This city is considered to be one of the oldest in the country. Mogilev was founded more than seven centuries ago. In the second half of the 13th century a fortress was erected on a hilltop, where the stream of the Dubrovnik River flowed into the Dnipro waters. After that, on the terrain near the site with the castle, urban outlines formed.

In the XVII century in Mogilev was a lively trade and erected defensive structures. Architectural buildings in the city are quite diverse. Mogilev keeps the atmosphere of the past eras and for today is a subject of tourist interest.

The Church of Boris and Gleb in Mogilev

One of the picturesque buildings of the city is Borisoglebskaya church. Mogilev is proud of this building, located in its central part. However, getting to the temple is not so easy, because those who want to visit it will need to go to the private sector. But if this difficult path will be on your shoulder, you will see a building made in a beautiful architectural style. It was built with a retrospective-Russian color in the second half of the XIX century. A few years ago, the church was restored, and today it truly adorns Mogilev.

Church in Novogrudok

In this city, the oldest church is Borisoglebskaya church. Novogrudok is a small town, but you have to visit the cathedral of the holy martyrs of Prince Boris and Prince Hlib to experience the atmosphere of the region and medieval Rus. Originally the building was erected in the 12th century. The temple was four-pillar with three aspids, and also had an enclosed gallery. On the walls there were a lot of murals and frescoes, on the floor lay a stone tile.

After the Brest Union was concluded, the church was handed over to the Uniates. Already at the beginning of the XVII century the church was rebuilt according to the style of the Sarmatian baroque. A little earlier in this place, a monastery for men was founded. Helped in reconstructing the temple and cost the monastery, A. Khreptovich, who later under the church laid the foundations of the family burial vault. In the first half of the last century the building was again reconstructed. The architectural style was somewhat disrupted, since the building was given for the city archival institution.