The National Historical Archives of Belarus Participates in a Tourist Trip to the Grodno Region

On January 17, 2026, on the eve of Epiphany, Natalia Kharyanova, Lead Archivist of the Documentation Support Group of the National Historical Archives of Belarus, and a large tour group took a fascinating tour of the religious centers of the Grodno Region. The trip was organized by the Minsk City Organization of the Belarusian Trade Union of Employees of State and Other Institutions and followed the route Minsk-Zhirovichi-Slonim-Synkovichi-Minsk.

The tour began in Zhirovichi, home to the famous Holy Dormition Monastery, one of the most important spiritual centers of Belarus. The monastery houses the miraculous Zhirovichi Icon of the Mother of God. The monastery complex includes four churches, a bell tower, a seminary building, a residential complex, a refectory, outbuildings, and a vegetable garden. The Zhirovichi Monastery is also home to renowned healing springs with fonts.

1. The Church of the Apparition of the Holy Virgin, the oldest building in the Zhirovichi Monastery complex

2. Natalia Kharyanova, a staff member of the National Information Agency of Belarus on the grounds of the Zhirovichi Monastery

3. The Holy Dormition Cathedral of the Zhirovichi Monastery

4. The Zhirovichi Monastery complex

5. The Holy Spring in Zhirovichi

6. The Holy Spring in Zhirovichi

The tour continued in Slonim, one of the most ancient cities in Belarus. The tour group visited the Holy Trinity Cathedral, built in the 17th century, the Transfiguration Cathedral, erected in the early 21st century, and strolled through the historic city center, which has preserved elements of the 17th-18th century layout.

7. The Transfiguration Cathedral in Slonim

8. The Transfiguration Cathedral in Slonim

9. The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Slonim

The final stop on the tourist map was the village of Synkovichi, renowned for its unique 15th-century fortress-temple. Its massive towers with loopholes give it the appearance of a castle, and the Gothic vaults inside create incredible acoustics. This unique structure is a striking example of Gothic architecture in Belarus.

10. The Church of St. Michael the Archangel in the village of Synkovichi

Exploring the rich cultural heritage and magnificent landscapes of the Grodno region left an unforgettable impression and filled us with energy and optimism.