Garrison St. Nicholas Church. St. Nicholas Garrison Cathedral

In 1851-1876, an Orthodox church was built in the fortress according to the design of academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, architect David Ivanovich Grimm. This is a domed building, a church basilica in the Byzantine style, inside of which 8 columns were installed. Light penetrated through 7 windows in the altar and the same number of windows on each side. The majestic dome was crowned with a St. George's cross.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, St. Nicholas Garrison Cathedral was the main temple of the Western Russian region, one of the most beautiful built in the center of Europe. After the signing of the Riga Peace Treaty (March 18, 1921), the temple, now located on territory that belonged to Poland, was rebuilt in 1924-1929 into a Roman Catholic garrison church according to the design of the Polish architect Julian Lisiecki.

On the eve of the war, it housed the club of the 84th Infantry Regiment. During the fighting in June-July 1941, the building became an important point of defense, as it is located on the very high place islands, from where the entire territory of the fortress is clearly visible.

On the morning of June 22, 1941, a fascist assault detachment broke through the Terespol Gate into the territory of the Citadel. The Nazis seized the club and the command staff canteen. Dividing into two groups, the enemy began to advance towards the Kholm and Brest gates. In the counterattack organized by the regimental commissar E.M. Fomin, as well as in other areas, the Nazis were thrown back to the club buildings and the canteen, but managed to gain a foothold there. Most of the assault force was destroyed by the defenders by the end of the first day of the war. Part of the detachment, hiding in the club, by the end of the second day. The building changed hands more than once. It became one of the last centers of resistance in the Citadel.

Many Red Army soldiers, commanders, and political workers died in the defense of the Red Army club.

The building was badly damaged and was preserved as a war monument in the post-war years. At the end of the 1960s, the external conservation of the building was carried out and included in the memorial complex.

For the first time after the war, on June 22, 1991, a funeral litany was held near the temple for the fallen soldiers.

The building was returned in 1994 Orthodox Church and work began on its restoration. Since the fall of 1995, services began to be held here. In winter, they were performed in the lower church in honor of the holy martyr John the Warrior. In 1995, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' visited St. Nicholas Cathedral, where he performed a funeral service.

On May 22, 1999, a new cross was erected and consecrated over the restored dome of the temple. On June 18, 2001, a bronze bell weighing 1 ton was raised from the church belfry. This is one of the largest bells cast in the last 100 years in Belarus. In 2001, on June 24, the upper altar of the temple was consecrated. In December 2003, 7 bells were donated for the belfry from the Government of Ukraine with the inscription on the large bells: “In memory of the defenders of the Fatherland. Leonid Kuchma." And in 2004, a seven-tier chandelier - a chandelier with 12 icons of the twelve holidays and 104 candles - decorated the temple.

According to old drawings and documents, restoration work on the exterior of the temple has been mostly completed, including the restoration of the dome. Work continues.

Garrison St. Nicholas Church (garrison church, garrison cathedral) located in the central part of the Brest Fortress. Built in 1851–1876 according to the design of academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, architect David Ivanovich Grimm.

This massive domed building is made in the Byzantine style. There were 8 columns installed inside it. Light penetrated through 7 windows in the oval part. It is believed that the temple was heated using fireplaces like palaces or baths.
The temple was painted in the Romanesque style. The majestic dome of the temple was crowned with the St. George Cross. At the beginning of the 20th century, St. Nicholas Cathedral was the main temple of the Western Russian region.

Holiday of the Borodino Regiment. Emperor Alexander III in the Brest Fortress. 1886

Garrison Cathedral in the Brest Fortress. Past-present.

After the signing of the Riga Peace Treaty (March 18, 1921), the temple, already located on territory that belonged to Poland, was rebuilt in 1924–1929 into the Roman Catholic garrison church of St. Casimir according to the design of the Polish architect J. Lisiecki.

During the Polish period (1921-1939) the church became a church and changed its appearance

From 1939 until the very beginning of the Great Patriotic War, it housed the club of the 84th Infantry Regiment of the Red Army.
During the battles of 1941, the building became an important point of defense, as it is located on the highest point of the island, from where the entire territory of the fortress is clearly visible.
On the morning of June 22, 1941, a fascist assault detachment broke through the Terespol Gate into the territory of the Citadel. The temple building changed hands many times.

Garrison church in the Brest Fortress after the battles

Hitler and Mussolini in the garrison cathedral of the Brest Fortress (August 1941).
In the 60s of the 20th century, conservation of the temple building was carried out. The former club was included in the memorial ensemble.

In 1994, the building was returned to the Orthodox Church, and work began on its restoration.

Since the fall of 1995, Divine services began to be held in the St. Nicholas Garrison Cathedral. In winter, they were performed in the lower temple.
In 1995, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus' visited the St. Nicholas Garrison Cathedral, and he performed a funeral service here.
On May 22, 1999, a new cross was erected and consecrated over the restored dome of the temple.

Garrison Temple. August 2000. Photo by I. Romanovsky

On June 18, 2001, a bronze bell weighing 1 ton was raised from the church belfry. It became one of the largest bells cast in Belarus over the past 100 years.
On June 24, 2001, the upper altar of the temple was consecrated.
In December 2003, 7 bells were donated for the belfry from the Ukrainian government with the inscription on the large bells: “In memory of the defenders of the Fatherland. Leonid Kuchma."
In 2004, the temple was decorated with a seven-tier chandelier (a special chandelier with 12 icons and 104 candles).

Photo by Alexander Shulgach, Brestsky Vestnik.

In March 2013, Moscow restoration artists, members of the Moscow Studio of Military Artists named after M.B. Grekov, took measurements in the St. Nicholas Garrison Cathedral on the territory of the Brest Fortress. The result of the work may be the restoration of the paintings inside the temple.

Photo: Alexander Shulgach, Brestsky Vestnik.

Photo: St. Nicholas Garrison Cathedral

Photo and description

The garrison St. Nicholas Cathedral, located in the central part of the Brest Fortress, was built with money collected by officers in 1851-1876 according to the design of the architect, academician of the Russian Art Academy D.I. Grimm.

The temple was built in the Russian-Byzantine style, its vault rests on 8 columns, and light penetrates through 7 window openings. The interior decoration of the temple was made in the Orthodox style.

On March 18, 1921, when the Treaty of Riga was signed, the temple ended up on Polish territory. In 1924-29, the building underwent reconstruction under the leadership of the architect Yu. Lisetsky, and was opened as the garrison church of St. Casimir.

After Brest fell into the hands of the Red Army, an officers' club of the 84th Infantry Regiment was set up in the church. The club existed until the Great Patriotic War.

Like the Brest Fortress itself, the temple was built with possible defense in mind. Its building with massive walls became an important defensive structure during the fighting in the Brest Fortress in 1941, as it was located on the very high point fortress, from where all the surroundings were visible. Several times the temple passed from hand to hand between fascist and Soviet soldiers.

After the liberation of the Brest Fortress from the Nazi invaders, the temple building was mothballed. Its walls, disfigured by bullets and shells, but withstood in the hellish flames of war, were to become mute witnesses to the brutal battles that took place during the defense of the Brest Fortress.

In 1994, the temple was returned to the Orthodox Church. It is noteworthy that a considerable part of the donations for the restoration of the garrison cathedral was again collected by officers and parishioners of Brest.

Today, the exterior of the temple has been completely restored, services have resumed there, however, the interior has been deliberately left in its post-war form, as a reminder of the victims of the bloody war.

The first mention of Brest as a settlement of artisans dates back to the beginning of the 11th century. Over the centuries, the settlement changed owners several times, was destroyed and rebuilt from ruins. Here you will see architectural monuments Early Middle Ages, Polish churches, Orthodox churches, cozy streets and embankments.

The most famous attraction of the city, where all tourists certainly go, is the famous Brest Fortress. Its defenders at the beginning of the Second World War showed incredible heroism in an unequal battle with the German army. Today the fortification houses a museum complex dedicated to the events of those years.

Just 65 km from Brest is Belovezhskaya Pushcha - a fabulous oak forest where you can meet the huge Belarusian bison. You can go there after visiting numerous city museums and take a break from tiring excursions.

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What to see and where to go in Brest?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.

A fortified citadel built on the site of Brest Castle in 1833. The structure consists of a series of red brick barracks, two-meter thick walls and a central citadel. In 1913, a second ring of defensive buildings was erected. By the beginning of the First World War, the fortress was considered one of the most impregnable in Europe. On June 22, 1941, she took on one of the first attacks by German troops. In 1965 it received the title of hero fortress.

Monument to the defenders of the Brest Fortress, created according to the design of the Moscow architect A.P. Kibalnikov and erected on Ceremonial Square in 1971. The grandiose monument reaches 36 meters in height and 54 meters in length. It depicts a bust of a fighter with a determined and frowning face against the background of the Soviet banner, ready to resist the onslaught of the invaders to the end. In front of the sculpture is the grave of 850 defenders of the fortress.

Another memorial in memory of the defenders of the Brest Fortress, making a powerful emotional impression. On the first day of the siege, the Germans disabled the water supply, and Soviet soldiers were forced to fight in excruciating thirst as the remaining water was used to cool their machine guns. Many soldiers died trying to get at least a few precious buckets of water from a river captured by the enemy.

An Orthodox church on the territory of the Brest Fortress, built in the Byzantine style in the middle XIX century. At the beginning of the 20th century, when Brest was part of Poland, it was turned into a church. During the Second World War the building was damaged quite badly. In 1972 it was mothballed, and in 1994 it was returned to believers. Restoration work continued for many years and was completed only in 2005.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the brick fort was part of the defensive structures of the Brest-Litovsk Fortress. There were barracks, walls, and a ditch filled with water. During the years of German occupation, warehouses were placed on its territory. In 1995 the building was recognized cultural monument, in 1997 - restored. In 2000, a museum dedicated to the history of the Brest Fortress was organized on the territory of the fort.

The museum is located in a restored former barracks building. It opened in 1956 on the basis of the room of military glory. The collection consists of materials and exhibits telling about the defense of the Brest Fortress: weapons, archival documents, photographs - in total more than 8 thousand items, housed in 9 rooms. Surviving defenders of the citadel took part in the creation of the exhibition.

An archaeological exhibition founded in 1982 at the excavation site. The collection is based on finds discovered on the territory of the 13th-century settlement, including residential and outbuildings raised from a depth of 4 meters and restored according to their historical appearance. In “Berestye” you can learn a lot about the traditional way of life of the Slavs, look at objects that were in use many centuries ago.

Sovetskaya Street is often called the “Brest Arbat”. After reconstruction in 2009 it became favorite place for walks for city residents and a must-see for tourists. Along the alley there are picturesque facades of stone estates of the early 20th century, restaurants, flower beds, rows of forged lanterns, and small urban sculptures. The length of the street is about 1.7 km.

The alley is located on Gogol Street. Forged lamps appeared here in 2013. The peculiarity is that they all have meaning - some reflect the plots of the writer’s works, the other part - the specifics of the activities of the enterprise that sponsored the production of the lantern. There are lamps in the form of a clock, a loom, a symbolic figure of a clown, an angel, and a treble clef.

The territory of the garden belongs to Brest State University. A.S. Pushkin is his scientific site, but the greenhouses are open to free visits. Plantings are divided into three zones: tropical, subtropical and desert. Exotic species grow under a glass dome supported by a base of metal and brick. This original building stands out against the backdrop of the city landscape.

The monument was built in 2009 at the expense of the townspeople. It represents a model of Brest, reflected in the historical images of the princes and ordinary residents who once ruled here. The figure of a guardian angel stretches above them. In 2011, a high relief was added to the monument, which depicts important milestones urban history, as well as a quaint Art Nouveau fence that harmoniously complements the architectural composition.

Brest railway station is considered the largest transport hub V Western Belarus. He serves trains long distance. The city is connected by direct railways to Berlin, Paris, Warsaw, and Kiev. The station building was built in 1886. Its shape resembles a palace, which is why it is one of the popular attractions. During the First World War the building was blown up and in 1953 it was reconstructed.

The exhibition, located on an area of ​​29 thousand m² directly on the rails, is dedicated to everything related to railway construction, tracks and equipment. The museum opened in 2000. On at the moment his collection consists of several dozen samples: carriages, locomotives, steam cranes, repair installations. There is even a tower clock and a signal bell. All equipment is in good condition.

The museum exhibition is quite unique, as it consists of valuables confiscated at local customs, which criminals tried to illegally transport across the border. Here you can see paintings, jewelry, icons of the 16th – 17th centuries, objects of decorative and applied art and other exhibits. The collection is constantly updated thanks to the efficient work of customs authorities.

The dramatic scene was set in the 1940s at a time when fighting was still raging on the Western fronts. Creative life arose in difficult conditions, but the theater quickly became popular. Not only are dramatic performances performed here, but there is also a symphony orchestra and musical performances. Every year the stage hosts international festival"White Vezha".

Since 1948, the museum's exhibition has been located in the building of the former Church of the Exaltation of St. Cross. Over time, the institution moved and acquired several branches, which included exhibitions located within the Brest Fortress. The museum's funds contain more than 200 thousand items related to the history, archeology and ethnography of the region. Many exhibits are unique - they are several hundred years old.

The collection is housed in a mansion from the early 20th century. It is entirely dedicated to the history of the city from ancient times to the post-war years. The exhibits occupy 4 halls with an area of ​​200 m². Among them are city coats of arms from different periods, works of contemporary artists, coin collections, ancient books, documents, statues, models, maps, household items and other interesting materials.

One of the most picturesque churches in the city, located on Sovetskaya Street. It was erected in 1904 using the Synod’s own funds and donations from sailors and officers who took part in the Russo-Japanese War. Architecturally, the building is a cross-domed church in the Russian-Byzantine style with clearly expressed elements of Moscow architecture of the mid-17th century.

An Orthodox church built in 1995–98, built in honor of the anniversary of the Victory. In terms of size, it is the largest in Brest and one of the largest in all of Belarus. Up to 5 thousand parishioners can be inside at the same time. The cathedral was built in the neo-Russian style, characteristic of church construction at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. In 2001, a bell weighing 400 kilograms was installed on the bell tower of the temple.

Temple of the 19th century, an architectural monument of the Russian-Byzantine church style. The building is a five-domed church. The side towers and the central drum are mounted on a quadrangle, one of the sides of which has a semicircular shape. The domes are covered with gold leaf, and a clock is placed on the central tower. The façade of the cathedral is painted light green and is decorated with wall paintings.

An active Catholic church built in mid-19th century. The building was built in a classical style. After the end of the Second World War, they placed within its walls local history museum, at the same time he lost some decorative elements of the facade. Since 2002, services have resumed in the church. As a result of lengthy reconstruction, the historical appearance of the building was restored.

A Catholic church of the 15th century, located approximately 18 km from Brest in the agricultural town of Chernavchitsy. It was built in Gothic and Renaissance styles. From the outside, the building somewhat resembles impregnable fortress with thick walls. For a long time the church belonged to the Orthodox diocese; in 1918 it was returned to the Catholics. IN Soviet era there was a hospital and a school here.

An architectural complex of the 18th century, built in the Baroque style. It was erected for the Niemtsevich family, where Julian Ursyn, a public figure and one of the creators of the constitution of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, came from. The estate is surrounded by a park created around the same time. Once upon a time it had all the elements landscape design- ponds, gazebos, alleys, but nothing has survived to our time. There is a museum on the territory of the estate itself.

Brest Park was laid out at the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, several hundred trees and more than 4 thousand bushes were planted. To entertain the public, a stage and a restaurant with a veranda were built. Today this place successfully continues to serve as a recreational area, welcoming visitors at any time of the year. There are attractions, playgrounds and cafes. The park hosts monthly events for children.

Biosphere Reserve and national park, located on the border of Poland and Belarus. It represents the remains of a relict forest, which in prehistoric times covered the territory of all of Europe. About 1,000 species of trees, shrubs and herbs, up to 600 species of mushrooms, and more than 200 species of mosses grow within its boundaries. IN Belovezhskaya Pushcha is home to the largest population of bison.

The Cathedral of St. Simeon the Stylite is the first Orthodox church in Brest, built in 1865. The five-domed cathedral, built in the Russian-Byzantine style, is the main temple of the city. And after the night illumination was completed, the cathedral began to decorate Brest and in dark time days.

The main shrine of the temple is the relics of the Venerable Martyr Afanasy Filippovich. Also stored here are particles of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Sergius of Radonezh, St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk and St. Innocent of Radonezh.

A copy of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God hangs above the church gates; the church contains a copy of the miraculous image of the Mother of God “Theodorovskaya” of Kostroma and a collection of several icons in an icon case, donated in 1881 by the Sakharov family.

Here, as in many other Orthodox churches, there is a church school and an Orthodox library. The cathedral publishes the newspapers "Spiritual Messenger" and "Brest Diocesan Gazette".

On the territory of the cathedral and beyond there is a cemetery for German soldiers who died during the storming of the Brest Fortress.

St. Nicholas Garrison Cathedral

St. Nicholas Cathedral is located in the very center of the Brest Fortress, behind the “Courage” monument and its white walls and golden domes can be seen from afar. It’s hard to believe, but 20 years ago it was a dilapidated building with vague outlines, in the gaping openings of which one could discern the altar and hanging balconies.

In 1851, by imperial decree, construction of an Orthodox cathedral began with money from garrison officers. The construction site was not chosen by chance - once upon a time there was an Augustinian church on this site. Tsar Nicholas II was present at the opening of the temple. Because of the white walls, the temple began to be called the “White Church”. Later the church was consecrated in honor of Nicholas the Wonderworker.

After the First World War, St. Nicholas Church was given away catholic church and turned into the Church of St. Christophe. After Brest annexed to the USSR in 1939, an officers’ club was established in the former church. The Great Patriotic War turned most of the buildings of the Brest Fortress into ruins, and it did not spare the building former temple, although the walls and ceiling still stood. After the war, for some time there was a warehouse in the dilapidated building, and after that it was simply left to crumble.

In 1994, the temple was returned to the Orthodox Church, and little by little, brick by brick, it began to be restored to its original form. Bricks were taken from the rubble of the destroyed barracks of the Fortress, and years later, as a result of hard work, St. Nicholas Church again shone with white walls and golden domes. And the White Church now has the largest and loudest bell in Belarus. His voice resounds over the casemates of the Brest Fortress, over the mass grave, over the eternal flame and soars into the heavens.

Resurrection Cathedral

Resurrection Cathedral - largest temple in the city and one of the largest in the country (up to five thousand parishioners can be here at the same time).

On June 24, 2001, the cathedral was consecrated by Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus', after which regular services began here. In the same year, a bell weighing four hundred kilograms was installed in the cathedral.

There is a temple school and library at the cathedral, and a sisterhood has been organized in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

In 2003, by the decision of the Belarusian Republican Council on Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture, the Resurrection Cathedral was given the status of spiritual historical and cultural value of Belarus.