Bernardine Monastery

Bernardine Monastery in Minsk is a historic architectural monument of the 17th century, located in the Upper Town on Liberty Square next to the town hall and the trade rows. Founded in 1624 at the initiative of stewards Andrey and Jan Kenskovski, the complex included a wooden church, which was replaced in 1652 by the stone Church of St. Joseph and the monastery building. The church suffered from fires several times (1644, 1656, 1740, 1835), but was restored each time. By 1752, the monastery was thoroughly rebuilt in the Baroque style. By the end of the 18th century, the Bernardine Monastery had grown into a whole block with numerous buildings, including a brotherhood building, a refectory, a school, a hospital, stables, a brewery, and other structures. They were surrounded by a stone fence with gates. The Church of St. Joseph, now a three-nave basilica without a tower, stands out with its Baroque decor. The central nave has a gabled roof and a three-sided apse, while the side naves are covered by cross vaults. In 1864, the monastery was abolished due to the involvement of believers in the January Uprising. The monastery buildings were transferred to the military department, and the church became an archive. During World War II, the monastery courtyard became a place of executions for members of the Belarusian resistance. After restoration in 1983, the church was converted into an archive, and the former monastery buildings housed the prosecutor's office, commandant's office, and in 2014, the "Monastic" hotel. The ensemble of the Bernardine Monastery represents a unique architectural value and serves as an important monument in the history of Minsk, attracting tourists with its rich history and Baroque aesthetics.