Description of the attraction
The Jesuit Church of St. Michael the Archangel was founded in Mstislavl in 1637 in the Vilna Baroque style. Its construction was completed by the end of the century. Later, a Jesuit collegium and a monastery pharmacy were built.
In 1747-1750 the temple was reconstructed by the architect I. Glaubits. Frescoes depicting the conquest of the city by the troops of Voevoda Trubetskoy in 1654 have survived to this day. On one side, the castle of the city of Mstislavl is depicted, on the other it is shown how they dealt with the rebellious Catholic priests.
The Jesuits were the favorites of Empress Catherine II. A special meeting was arranged for the queen in Mstislavl. Two youths with white bird wings behind their backs were lowered on ropes, depicting angels, and put a laurel wreath on the head of the Russian autocrat. Catherine was delighted with such a courteous reception and gave the monks a royal gift.
In those days, the Jesuit monastery was rich and prosperous. In his collegium, the offspring of noble families studied, studying Latin, science, theology. The famous Belarusian philosopher Vincent Buchinsky taught at the collegium. The pharmacy sold medicines made according to the latest word in pharmacy science.
In 1842, the monastery was transferred to the Orthodox Church and consecrated as the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. A boarding school is located within the walls of the collegium.
Now in Mstislavl is the reconstruction of the building of the former Jesuit church of St. Michael the Archangel. Hopefully, tourists will soon be able to admire the beauty of this monumental architectural monument of the 18th century.
