Bernardine Church and Monastery in Grodno

The Bernardine Church and Monastery in Grodno is the largest active Catholic complex in the city. The church is one of the oldest in western Belarus. It is located on the right bank of the Neman River and stands out clearly among the entire urban development.

The monastery was founded in the 1490s. Initially, it included a wooden church and a monastery building. The first stone church on the site of a wooden church was built in the late 16th century. However, almost immediately it was decided to completely rebuild it. Because of significant reconstruction and expansion, a new church was built. It has survived to our time. 

Bishop Evstafy Volovich of Vilnius officially consecrated The Church of the Discovery of the Holy Cross in 1618.

The exterior of the buildings bears the features of the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. The complex also includes monastery buildings and a bell tower. During its centuries-old history, the temple has repeatedly suffered from fires and wars. However, each time it was restored and improved, updated and upgraded.

According to legend, most of all the soldiers who were returning home with a victory sacrificed for the construction of the church. In memory of this event, each knight gave a thaler, and the Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Lev Sapega – a thousand thalers.

Another urban legend says that the Bernardine Monastery and church were connected with all the other churches in the city. Most intriguing was the legend of an underground passage that Bernardine monks and Bernardine nuns dug from their monasteries to meet each other for dates.

The monastery was abolished in the mid-19th century. After that, the church became an ordinary parish church. Interesting fact: in 1858, the wedding of the famous Grodno writer Eliza Ozheshko took place here.

The interior of the Church of the Discovery of the Holy Cross has a great artistic, cultural and historical value. Its design features an abundance of sculpture, painting, stucco, woodcarving, cast iron and bronze casting and forging. The interior of the church decorated with 12 ancient stone side altars, as well as a three-tiered central altar from the 18th century. Among the rich wall paintings of the church, one can single out such an unusual decorative element as images of 12 historical figures of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. These images made in the northern part of the church, while in the southern part of the church there are images of the 12 apostles of Christ. The interior also houses a 17th-century organ.

The Church of the Discovery of the Holy Cross and the Bernardine Monastery are important cultural and historical monuments, a spiritual and pilgrimage center, as well as one of the most attractive tourist attractions in Grodno.

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