The History of the Cathedral: From Catholic Church to Orthodox Temple
Initially, the cathedral was a Catholic church of the Franciscan monastery, built in 1780 with donations from Elena Radziwill and Tomasz Woynilowicz. In 1846, the church was converted into an Orthodox temple, and after the fire of 1852, it acquired features of the Russian-Byzantine style. Valuable icons and church utensils appeared in the cathedral thanks to the charitable contributions of Crown Princes Nicholas and Alexander Alexandrovich.
Architectural Features of St. Nicholas Cathedral
The cathedral is a monument of late Baroque architecture with elements of Russian-Byzantine style. The rectangular building includes a basilica and a pentagonal altar apse. The façade of the cathedral is divided into three tiers, with the central entrance flanked by pilasters, and windows arranged in two rows. Above the porch is a bell tower with three bells.
Valuable Icons and Church Utensils
During the reconstruction of the temple in the 19th century, a three-tiered iconostasis was installed. Among the treasures of the cathedral are an 18th-century icon of the "Mother of God Hodegetria" and an icon of St. Nicholas in a silver riza, donated by Crown Prince Nicholas Alexandrovich. A gilded tabernacle installed on the altar holds a special place.
The Modern Significance of the Cathedral
Since 1992, St. Nicholas Cathedral has served as the main cathedral of the restored Novogrudok Diocese. Today, it is a spiritual center for thousands of believers and a popular destination for tours across Belarus. Book a tour to Novogrudok from Minsk to personally see this unique architectural monument.
A Tour to Novogrudok
Tours from Minsk to Novogrudok are popular among tourists eager to learn more about the formation of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and touch the history of one of Belarus’s most significant cities. Book a tour and visit the Novogrudok Regional Museum as part of the tour programs The Road of Castles: Mir – Novogrudok – Lida, Art and Craft (Novogrudok – Berezovka), Adam Mickiewicz’s Trails.
