Borisoglebskaya Church in Grodno is a real 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 northwestern Russia. The Church of Boris and Gleb in Grodno has been standing for nine centuries, and due to its historical and architectural value, it was included in the UNESCO tentative list.
Temple History
It is not known exactly when the construction of the church began. However, researchers believe that the stone temple on the coast of the Neman was built from about 1140 to 1170. It 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 associated with the presence of the Kolozhan tract in the city, on the site of which it was erected. The word "kolozhan" is associated with similar words used, meaning a gushing spring.
Architectural style
Borisoglebsk Church is considered to be a unique example of the ancient technology of ancient Russian architects-masons. If aTo be precise, this is a work of masters who belong 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 ceramic vessels, which are also called golosniks. They are built into the walls and go out to the outer side with a neck, which is why for many centuries the church has preserved excellent acoustics, which allows you to sing church hymns beautifully. 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.
Current State of the Church
Today, the Borisoglebskaya church is one of the oldest Belarusian monasteries, which are still operating to this day. 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 due to the difficult geological conditions of the landscape and the lack of verified information about what the original appearance of the church was, they were put on hold.
Architects presented a plan of what the reconstruction of the Borisoglebsky temple should be like so that it looks like it was before the catastrophic events in the middle of the 19th century that changed the appearancebuilding. A few years ago, information appeared in the Belarusian media about the start of a public action to restore Kolozha, which was aimed at raising funds for the restoration of the ancient building. There are also ideas for creating a smaller copy of it near the temple. The Kolozha church, which they want to restore using modern materials and technologies, would be an interesting attraction.
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. Back in the second half of the 13th century, a fortress was erected on the top of a hill, where the stream of the Dubrovenka River flowed into the waters of the Dnieper. After that, an urban outline was formed in the area near the site with the castle.
In the 17th century, lively trade was conducted in Mogilev and defensive structures were erected. Architectural buildings in the city are quite diverse. Mogilev keeps the atmosphere of bygone eras and today is the subject of tourist interest.
Church of Boris and Gleb in Mogilev
One of the colorful buildings of the city is considered to be Borisoglebskaya church. Mogilev is proud of this building, located in its central part. However, getting to the temple is not so easy, as those who want to visit it will need to go through the private sector. But if this difficult path is up to you, you will see a building made in a beautiful architectural style. It was built withretrospective-Russian flavor in the second half of the 19th century. A few years ago, the church was restored, and today it truly adorns Mogilev.
Church in Novogrudok
In this city, the oldest temple is Borisoglebskaya church. Novogrudok is a small town, but you should definitely visit the Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs Prince Boris and Prince Gleb on occasion to feel the atmosphere of the region and medieval Russia. The original building was erected in the 12th century. The temple was four-pillared with three asps, and also had a walled gallery. There were many paintings and frescoes on the walls, stone tiles lay on the floor.
After the Union of Brest was concluded, the church was transferred into the possession of the Uniates. Already at the beginning of the 17th century, the temple was rebuilt according to the style of the Sarmatian baroque. A little earlier, a monastery for men was founded in this place. A. Khreptovich helped in reconstructing the temple and building the monastery, who later laid the foundations of the family tomb under the church. In the first half of the last century, the building was again reconstructed. The architectural style was somewhat disturbed, as the building was given to the city archival institution.
