Description of the attraction
In 1700-1710 on the territory of the Upper City in Minsk, a Catholic church was built at the Jesuit monastery. The cathedral was an example of the Vilna Baroque, its interiors were decorated with rich frescoes and figures of the 12 apostles, carved from wood. For a long time the Jesuit church remained the tallest building in Minsk. Due to the fact that in 1773 Pope Clement XIV dissolved the Jesuit order, in 1798 the Minsk diocese was created - a Catholic district under the jurisdiction of the bishop, the church received the status of a cathedral, consecrated in honor of the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The temple was visited in different years by such famous historical figures as Peter I, the Swedish king Charles XII, hetman Mazepa, French Marshal Davout, the Decembrist Nikita Muravyov, Emperor Nicholas II.
During the Second World War, the cathedral was badly damaged, in 1951 it was closed in order to change its appearance beyond recognition - two cathedral towers were demolished, and the central facade was rebuilt, adapting the building to accommodate athletes of the Spartak sports society. By 2000, the cathedral restored not only its original appearance, but was also returned to believers. Today the Archcathedral Cathedral of the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the main Catholic church in Minsk.
