Muravanka Fortified Church, Muravanka, Belarus

Muravanka Fortified Church was built between 1516 and 1542. Together with earlier Suprasl' and Synkavichy churches it represents an original class of church-fortresses that appeared in Belarus in 15th-16th centuries.These are compact in plan, rectangular buildings flanked in the corners with towers. The top of the walls are fortified with mashykooli and shooting windows. There were cellars in the basement with water and food for the sieged defenders.

References:

Belarus Guide

Religious sites in Belarus

Address

M6, Muravanka, Belarus

See all sites in Muravanka

Details

Founded: 1516
Category: Religious sites in Belarus

More Information

www.belarusguide.com

Rating

4.9/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Lida Castle (29 km)

User Reviews

Alfika G (3 years ago)
Unique temple-fortress

Алексей Голубинский (3 years ago)
One of the few defense-type churches on the territory of Belarus and perhaps the most beautiful. Definitely worth a visit. Permanently accompanied by the dog that is in the photo)

Сергей Якшевич (3 years ago)
On the road Minsk - Grodno, not far from the village of Mozheikovo, this temple is located. It is very convenient to stop by and there is something to see. And if you manage to listen to Father Kirill, you will learn a lot of interesting information about this place.

Виктория Романюк (3 years ago)
If you get to the Temple, do not miss the opportunity to climb the rdna from the towers. A unique chance to touch the history! And the impressions and sensations of going up and down the narrow spiral staircase will remain in your memory for a long time!

Natalya Me (3 years ago)
Absolutely unique atmosphere I would like to come back again and again Amazing vaults The bell tower opens up Amazing view I definitely recommend visiting

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Drew de F Fawkes

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Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg

The Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg is situated in a strategic area on a rocky spur overlooking the Upper Rhine Plain, it was used by successive powers from the Middle Ages until the Thirty Years' War when it was abandoned. From 1900 to 1908 it was rebuilt at the behest of the German kaiser Wilhelm II. Today it is a major tourist site, attracting more than 500,000 visitors a year.

The first records of a castle built by the Hohenstaufens date back to 1147. The fortress changed its name to Koenigsburg (royal castle) around 1157. The castle was handed over to the Tiersteins by the Habsburgs following its destruction in 1462. They rebuilt and enlarged it, installing a defensive system designed to withstand artillery fire.

The fortification work accomplished over the 15th century did not suffice to keep the Swedish artillery at bay during the Thirty Years War, and the defences were overrun.

Muravanka Fortified Church