The church of the Birth of the Virgin in Muravanka

Author: Lida added 19-11-2012, 22:25

The church of the Birth of the Virgin in Muravanka is one of the most beautiful and famous churches in Belarus. It is situated in Shchuchin area, Grodno region, Belarus.

In different sources we can meet different names for the church, which is confusing. For example, Malomozheyka’s fortified church or The church of the Birth of the Virgin in Muravanka. In fact, the one and the other - they are one and the same building, which can be considered one of the most interesting and ancient architectural structures in Belarus. That building is still used for its original purpose, as a church.

The temple was built somewhere between 1516 and 1542 years. It has been preserved almost in its original form and it is one of two surviving temples of defense type in Belarus.

The church of the Birth of the Virgin in Muravanka

Malomozheykovska’s temple belongs to defense type of churches. Its design clearly traced gothic elements. In the church the residents could hide and defend against attackers in case of danger.

The church of the Birth of the Virgin in Muravanka

The major differences of the church are symmetrical and the right plan, richer external decoration and a weaker system of loopholes.

It is a monumental building. It is fixed at the corners by round towers with spiral staircases leading to loopholes, which united the top of the temple. The tower walls' thickness ranges from 1.8 to 2 meters.