Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Jesuit Heritage

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(Edited)

Hello everybody! Built by the Jesuits in the middle of the 17th century, the Archcathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary has become one of the main shrines of Catholicism in the Republic of Belarus. Those magnificent church is located in the very center of Minsk and is the center of the Roman Catholic religious denomination. Across the road from it is the city hall, which I talked about last time. One of the interesting facts of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is associated with Pope Pius VI. In 1722, he donated the relics of St. Felician to this monastery. One of the interesting facts of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is associated with Pope Pius VI. In 1722, he transferred the relics of St. Felician to this cathedral. Since then, St. Felician has been considered the heavenly patron of Minsk.

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Visually, it seems that the church is sandwiched between two residential buildings. This is partly true. On one of the historical archival photographs, we can see that the buildings nearby were originally part of the architectural ensemble. One way or another, but throughout its centuries-old history, the temple has undergone a number of reconstructions.

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Photo source

After the abolition of the Jesuit Order by Pope Clement XIV, the Minsk Jesuit Church changed its status. In the future, this happened repeatedly. In 1934, the Soviet authorities closed the church of the Virgin Mary, and looted the interior. Since then, the cathedral has been used as a garage and car service station. Further changes took place only after the Second World War.

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Despite the fact that the cathedral successfully survived the war in 1951, a total reconstruction was carried out. Two towers were destroyed and the original baroque façade was converted to the Empire style. Inside, the building was divided by reinforced concrete floors and solemnly turned the former cathedral into a sports club Spartak.

427095_original.jpg Photo source Archival photograph of the facade of the cathedral after the reconstruction

However, something else is interesting, that the architects who rebuilt the cathedral under the Stalinist Empire style were not indifferent. Under the added façade and layers of paint, they kept (camouflaged) everything that was possible. In addition, detailed drawings of the church, children's photographs of important details and architectural elements and unique paintings were preserved. Thanks to this, during the restoration work in the 1990-2000s, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary was completely restored and acquired its original appearance.

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dsc_0069.jpg In the niche of the figured pediment above the central part of the facade there is a sculpture of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a three-nave basilica in the 18th century Vilna Baroque style. The main façade of the church is richly decorated and framed by two tall five-tiered towers. They are decorated with semicircular niches, vases, pilasters, through openings and graceful cupolas with crosses. The building of the cathedral goes slightly deeper into the quarter, which creates a feeling of comfort.

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The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary for several centuries was the tallest building in the city of Minsk. Majestic towers towered over the city and served as a landmark. Very often the silhouette of the temple was depicted on postcards and historical sketches. Currently, the building of the cathedral is an architectural monument of Belarus and attracts the attention of guests and residents of the capital of Belarus. I hope you enjoy this majestic historic building as much as I did.

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Photo information:
Author: @danny.green
Camera: Nikon D5200
Location: Minsk, Belarus

Thanks to everyone who reads and supports. Best regards from @danny.green.



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20 comments
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Dear @danny.green. Please indicate the references/sources of the 2 archival (black and white) photos in your publication. Thank you for your attention.

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Dear @uplusd, I've added a link to the source below each of these photos. Thank you for your attention and all the best!

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Thank you for updating your post. Appreciate it!

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Dear @danny.green Catholic churches around the world are always full of Architecture and Design why?

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Why? Perhaps it is the features of the building and different styles.

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Hello @danny.green. Similar to some of your previous publications featuring architecture with many lives, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a fine example of a resilient edifice, in the sense that it was still able to retain its original design characteristics after suffering from the Second World War, subsequent reconstructions, and political influences.

It's a pity though that a significant church like that is being sandwiched by 2 residential buildings on opposite sides, having the suffocating impression of being choked. Ideally, important city landmarks like this religious monument must allocate setbacks or open spaces on all sides to allow for green development and public passages (right of ways). Nevertheless, it's a huge sigh of relief that this historic piece of architecture has survived the ravages of time.

Would you be showing us photos of its interior spaces in the future?

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Hello @storiesoferne. The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary has undergone quite a few reconstructions throughout its existence. I love the fact that it ended up reverting back to its original architecture. The first time I saw this cathedral, I was also surprised at how such a wonderful building can be squeezed between two residential buildings. Apparently, the fact is that these buildings also carry some historical value and are located in the historical center of the city. In economic terms, their demolition would be impractical, but in aesthetic terms, the opposite is true. But I am happy that the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been revived and is functioning.
Apparently shooting inside is prohibited, but when I find myself in this place again, I will try to ask permission and take photos of the interior decoration..
Thank you for your attention and support. Best wishes ☺️

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That's alright, and it's absolutely understandable. Perhaps in the near future, you would be granted permission to marvel at its interior environment by capturing its spectacular photographs. As we both mentioned, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary is simply one religious monument that deserves continuous conservation, and most importantly, our appreciation. Happy weekend, cheers! 😊

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Who would have thought that it is once used as a garage and car service station? It is good to know that it is now fully restored.

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Oh yes, this building has gone through quite a few upheavals, but now it is in perfect order.

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Under the added façade and layers of paint, they kept (camouflaged) everything that was possible.

I think this is another post of yours that testifies to how resourceful and brave the people in your country were. I admire very much what they have done, given what it cost them to do it!

Why is it not allowed to take pictures inside? It is usually forbidden only in Orthodox churches. I think I've only been to one Catholic church so far - the oldest Gothic church in Germany, where this was forbidden.

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Indeed, masking this cathedral was very dangerous. But there is a possibility that this is just a legend. However, I am glad that the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary has been successfully restored. I often encounter a ban on filming, but most often these are just local rules. You ask permission and they let you take pictures. Especially if you use a smartphone. I twice saw a ban on filming in Belarusian Catholic cathedrals - in Pinsk and Minsk. In both cases, these are ancient temples. Maybe if I ask permission they let me take some pictures. Maybe.

I lived in Zons, Germany for a while and went to see the majestic Cologne Cathedral. It's an indescribable feeling. I even wrote about it here. But due to covid restrictions, I couldn't get inside.

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Oh, I was inside. Some years ago. It was really impressive. But I could say that I prefer smaller temples. It's a lot more cozy there somehow 😊

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Wow, you are lucky to see the interior of the Cologne Cathedral! When I planned to get inside, there was a huge line of tourists and only those who were fully vaccinated and had a vaccination passport were let in. Maybe you have photos of the interior of the Cologne Cathedral? But I also feel more comfortable in small spaces.😊

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I actually don't have many pictures from the inside, because you need time for this huge building, but I was there with people who had not much time. Moreover, they were not interested in photography or religious architecture.🤭
This is unpleasant with the certificates and I hope that things will return to normal in the coming months. I was in Spain for a while in 2020 and then the temples were closed almost everywhere.
As for Germany, one of my favorite cathedrals is in Aachen. (Not so far from Zons). 1 euro was the fee for shooting inside years ago. I don't know how it is now. But it's worth it.😊

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