On the opening of the exhibition at the Belarusian State Archive of Scientific and Technical Documentation

On October 4, 2024, on the eve of the celebration of Archivist’s Day, the Belarusian State Archive of Scientific and Technical Documentation (hereinafter referred to as BGANTD) opened the exhibition «Religious Architecture of Belarus».

Belarusian architecture is a rich architectural tradition that developed under the influence of various cultural and historical processes. The architecture of Belarus reflects various styles and trends that replaced each other depending on time and external influences. A special place is occupied by defensive structures, religious buildings, as well as palace architecture.

In the 10th–12th centuries, stone architecture developed on Belarusian lands, represented by the Polotsk and Grodno schools. The main monument of the Polotsk school is the St. Sophia Cathedral (11th century). The architecture was distinguished by tower-shaped churches with increasing verticality, departing from the Byzantine and Kyiv traditions. The forms of Polotsk architecture are unique for the East Slavic lands.

The Grodno school is represented by the Kolozha Church (12th century). Its walls were decorated with polished boulders, majolica tiles and built-in resonant pots, which improved the acoustics. The floors of the churches were laid with tiles, creating complex patterns. Also palace architecture.

The beginning of defensive structures on the Belarusian lands is symbolized by the Kamenets Tower (13th century), which belongs to the donjon type – powerful round towers, characteristic of Western European architecture of that time.

During the times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (14th-16th centuries), Western European influences intensified, which contributed to the development of Renaissance culture, also combined with local artistic patterns and traditions. The influence of the Renaissance is clearly felt in Belarusian architecture, where it is intertwined with Gothic elements.

Gothic castles and churches of that era, preserved to this day, are the golden fund of the country’s cultural heritage. Mir Castle (16th century) is a unique example of a combination of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Its massive walls and towers served defensive purposes, but at the same time, its decor and layout show features of Renaissance aesthetics, emphasizing its multifunctionality as a military and residential facility.

During the Baroque era, magnificent churches appeared, such as the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Grodno, distinguished by its monumentality and dynamic composition. Baroque churches were often decorated with rich decorative elements characteristic of this style: stucco, sculptures and frescoes.

In the 19th century, Under the influence of classicism, palace complexes emerged in Belarus, the most outstanding example of which is the Rumyantsev-Paskevich Palace in Gomel. This palace, built in the Empire style, combines severity and elegance, which corresponds to the spirit of the times. The architecture of this period emphasizes rationality and symmetry, characteristic of classicism.

Belarusian architecture has gone through a complex path of development, reflecting the influence of different eras and styles. Defensive structures, Gothic and Renaissance castles, Baroque churches and classical palaces – all these architectural monuments represent the unique cultural heritage of Belarus, which is an important part of the European architectural tradition.

The exhibition presents documents from the BGANTD fund #302 «Collection of documents on the history of architecture of Belarus», illustrating various iconic buildings of Belarus.

The exposition can be viewed in the Belarusian State Archive of Scientific and Technical Documentation, located at the address: Minsk, st. Cyril and Methodius, 4.

1. Exhibition materials

2. Exhibition materials. Nesvizh Castle. Nesvizh Palace and Park Complex. A monument of Baroque architecture of the 16th century. F. 302. Op. 5. D. 80. L. 2.

3. Exhibition materials. Saint Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk. An architectural monument of the 11th-18th centuries. F. 302. Op. 2. D. 122. L. 1.

4. Exhibition materials. Rumyantsev-Paskevich Palace in Gomel. An architectural monument of classical style of the early 19th century [1940s]. F. 302. Op. 3. D. 2. L. 23.

5. Exhibition materials. Kossovsky Palace. An architectural monument with elements of classical style. 1947. F. 302. Op. 1. D. 79. L. 1.

6. Exhibition materials. Mir Castle before restoration. Monument of defensive architecture of the 16th century [1937-1938]. F. 302. Op. 4. D. 47. L. 24.