Svi︠a︡to-Uspenskiĭ Pustynskiĭ monastyrʹ, Eastern Orthodox monastery in Mstsislaŭ, Belarus.
The Holy Assumption Hermitage Monastery is a monastic complex in the village of Pustynki near Mstsislaŭ, consisting of stone buildings and several chapels. The site is surrounded by thick stone walls and forest, with a sacred spring located within the grounds that is accessible to visitors.
The monastery was founded in 1380 by Prince Simeon Algirdovich, making it the oldest Orthodox monastic site in the Mogilev region. Over the centuries it survived wars and religious upheaval, was closed during the Soviet period, and was later reopened.
The monastery maintains Orthodox traditions through daily services and veneration of sacred springs that visitors can still experience today. The monks keep ancient practices alive that have been part of daily life here for centuries.
The site is remote and is best reached from Mogilev by taking regional buses to Mstsislaŭ. From there, local transport is needed to reach the village of Pustynki and the grounds can be explored on foot.
An image unexpectedly appeared on an interior wall during renovation work in 2003, which many interpret as a religious sign. This unusual occurrence remains one of the most puzzling aspects of the place today.
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