The Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Virgin is an architectural monument of the 12th century, located in the city center on the left bank of the Dzvina River.

According to legendary data, the Holy Annunciation Church was founded in the 9th century by Princess Voĺha. But it is most probable that the temple was built in the 12th century.

In the 14th century, under the Grand Duke of Lithuania Aĺhierd, the church was rebuilt taking into account the local tradition of the Polack architectural school. Since 1619, the church belonged to the Uniates, who rebuilt it in the Viĺnia baroque style. In 1623, the Uniate Archbishop Jazafat Kuncevič ordered the ancient frescoes to be whitewashed. During the War of 1812, the church was used by the French as an ammunition dump. In 1833, the church was renovated.

In the second half of the 19th century, the Holy Annunciation Church was rebuilt in the retrospective Russian style: the bell towers were removed and the dome was erected. In 1944, during the fighting, the temple was damaged. In 1961, the Holy Annunciation Church, in accordance with the order of the authorities, was blown up.

The Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Virgin was restored in 1999 by architect Hienadź Laŭrecki.

Publication date: 11.02.2021.

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