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Travel to the holy places

Anyone interested in the history and antiquities, as well as a passion for spiritual quest, I invite you to communication: reading, leave comments, share your opinion, ask questions!

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

BETHLEHEM - where Jesus was born


Bethlehem, the city where Jesus was born.  Shepherds’ Field and Grotto. Church of the Nativity. Cave of the Nativity

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Hvizdets: Bernardine Monastery

1734

The town was first mentioned in Hvizdets Polish property acts in 1373. The Catholic community existed in this region since at least the 15th century. First Bernardine Monastery in Hvizdets was wooden, it was founded in 1715. But after 13 years the church burned down and in its place in 1734 built new brick monastery. At the same time, the town Hvizdets built a large wooden synagogue, since more than half of its inhabitants were Jews. And they are quite peacefully coexisted with the Catholics. This is due to the Polish rulers of the city.


   Unfortunately, the synagogue has not survived to our time, most of the Jewish population died in hvizdets ghetto during the Nazi occupation. But monastery, also repeatedly burned and destroyed,  remains to this day. However, its modern look and finish it acquired in the early twentieth century, when the bell tower was rebuilt and monastery tower.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Lubart's Castle

1430

Lutsk castle walls built on the orders Lubart - the son of the Grand Lithuanian prince Gediminas. He married the daughter of Grand Prince of Galicia-Volyn principality Andrew Y. II and in 1340 was as follows Galician prince and later moved his capital here. 12-meter brick wall thickness of 3 meters and the tower described in the Gothic style. Their strength and courage defense was the key to inaccessibility of the fortress. During the following centuries the castle withstood numerous assaults and sieges.

But time takes its toll. Since the late 16th century increase in capacity and the number of guns in wars reduces the value of castles and walls. Lutsk castle suffered damage and survived several fires. In the 19th century, when Lutsk was ruled Muscovy, was ordered to disassemble the towers and walls of bricks for construction. However, the Gothic brickwork was so strong that many hollow of her failed. Therefore, to have survived the main outlines of the legendary building, which is now protected as a monument of architecture and history of national importance.



Image Entrance Tower of Lutsk castle can be seen on the back of 200 grn banknotes.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites (Berdychiv)


The monastery was founded in 1627 by Janusz Tyshkevych - Kyiv governor and chief steward of the Kyiv region. First, he gave the monks his castle, and in 1634 by strong walls, construction began on the church walls. For 8 years, in 1642 the monastery was built, but in 1648 the Carmelites were forced to leave and go in Lviv, fleeing the troops of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, , which freed Berdychiv and surrounding cities.

In the early 18th century after the rebellion barefoot monks returned to the monastery and rebuilt and reinforced fortress and built a new church in the Baroque style. Led construction architects from Poland and Germany, and attracted to painting artist from Italy. From the mid-18th century the monastery was active printing, which became known issue "Berdychivsky Calendars". 1768 Moscow army destroyed the fortress, and in 1832 by order of the Russian tsar closed convent school and printing. 1866 Russian governor-general expelled monks and monasteries located in the police and army. In the early 20th century, Catholics began rebuilding abandoned buildings of the monastery, and after the Civil War they were again damaged. 1925 the Bolsheviks founded the fortress historical museum, the monastery was saved from total destruction. Finally in 1991 he was again returned to the Catholic monks.