Костёл Святых Петра и Павла, Gothic Revival church building in Staryja Vasiliški, Belarus.
The Saints Peter and Paul Church in Staryja Vasiliški is a red-brick Gothic Revival basilica with three naves and two three-tiered towers topped by faceted spires. Its main facade has a central rose window, pointed portals with ceramic relief panels, and stepped buttresses. Inside, eight pillars carry sculptures of the apostles, and the side walls and windows show the Stations of the Cross.
A Catholic parish was founded in Staryja Vasiliški in 1485, but the present church was built later, in 1897–1903, from red brick to a design by Polish architect Konstanty Wojciechowski. It was consecrated in 1905 and had 4,992 parishioners by 1932. Closed in 1953 during church persecutions, it was returned to believers in 1988 and listed as a regional cultural heritage site in 2010.
This church serves as a focal point for the local Catholic community, who have gathered here for worship and celebrations across generations. The building reflects how Western religious traditions took root and shaped local spiritual practices over time.
The church is located in a small town and is accessible by car or public transportation. It helps to check local information beforehand, as visiting hours may vary with the season.
The names of the parishioners who paid for the church are carved into the limestone blocks of the base. In Soviet times local authorities ordered them covered with cement; the memorial plaque to composer Czesław Niemen, born in Staryja Vasiliški, is inside.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,808 contributors worldwide.