Former Cistercian monastery and St. Michael's church description and photos - Belarus: Mozyr (Topic)

Former Cistercian monastery and St. Michael's church description and photos - Belarus: Mozyr. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photos and a map showing the nearest significant objects.

Photo and description

The Cistercian monastery in Mozyr was founded in 1647 at the initiative of Anton Askerka, a Novogrudok kashtelian. Subsequently, the monastery has repeatedly received large donations from the royal persons ruling the Commonwealth. The picturesque valley, where the Cistercian monastery was built, was popularly called the Valley of Angels.

Cistercian monasteries are distinguished by their great severity of the charter, solitude and asceticism. The charter prohibits monks from any luxury, including the prohibition applies to the decor of monasteries, church utensils, precious jewelry of the clergy. Cistercians are also called white monks for their vestments: a white robe with a black scapular, black hood and black woolen belt.

The Church of St. Michael and the Cistercian convent were built between 1743 and 1745 in the late Baroque style. The church is single-nave, with a three-sided apse, under a high gable roof. The founder of the convent was Benedict Rozhansky, the sum of 30 thousand gold for the construction was allocated by Prince Kazimir Sapega.

In 1864, the authorities abolished the Cistercian monastery. In 1893 the convent was also abolished. The church was transferred to the Orthodox Church. In 1894, the reconstruction of the church was completed, during which all the baroque decor was removed, side galleries were added and a wooden belfry was built. Unfortunately, during the reconstruction, the frescoes that once adorned the Church of St. Michael were completely destroyed.

At the end of the 19th century, a match factory "Malanka" was opened within the walls of the former male Cistercian monastery, which operates there to this day.

In 1990, the Church of St. Michael was transferred to believing Catholics. It is now a functioning temple.

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Topic: Former Cistercian monastery and St. Michael's church description and photos - Belarus: Mozyr.