Cathedral of the Holy Name of Saint Virgin Mary, Baroque Catholic cathedral in Upper City, Minsk, Belarus.
The Cathedral of the Holy Name of Saint Virgin Mary is a Baroque church in Minsk's Upper City featuring two symmetrical towers flanking its entrance and ornate architectural details throughout. Inside, an Austrian-made organ installed in 2005 contributes to the church's classical Baroque character.
Built in 1710 as the Jesuit College church, it became Minsk's cathedral after the 1793 partition and was rebuilt after a fire in 1797. Closed in 1934, it reopened under German occupation, then in 1951 Soviet artillery destroyed its bell towers and the building passed to the Spartak sports society. Returned to Catholics in 1993, it was renovated by 1997.
The parish is dedicated to the Holy Name of Mary, though Belarusian registration documents record it as the Name of the Virgin Mary, so both forms appear. The patronal feast follows the Holy Name. The 18th-century frescoes were plastered over in the Soviet period; their uncovering and restoration is ongoing.
The cathedral stands in Minsk's Upper City at the coordinates 53.90313, 27.55461, near the historic centre. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Minsk-Mohilev, so opening hours can shift around services; time a visit outside Mass. The 18th-century frescoes, long plastered over in the Soviet period, are being uncovered and restored, so some interior areas may be under scaffolding.
The cathedral's bell towers were not lost in World War II: Soviet artillery deliberately destroyed them in 1951, when the building was handed to the Spartak sports society. The towers visible today were rebuilt during the restoration completed by 1997.
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