Church of Nativity Virgin in Ruhcha

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, located in the village of Rukhcha in the Stolin District of the Brest Region, is an outstanding monument of wooden religious architecture. Built in 1730, it is included in the State List of Historical and Cultural Values of Belarus under the name «Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary» and has a second category of value. The uniqueness of this church lies in the harmonious combination of folk building traditions and elements of Baroque, making it an important cultural heritage site of the region.

History

The church was erected in the 18th century at the initiative of the local landowners — the Skirmunt family, known for their patronage and philanthropy. From its foundation, the church served as a spiritual center for nearby villages and has maintained its importance to the present day.

Architecture

The building is a rectangular log structure with a three-sided apse of unusual shape. The hipped roof, covered with sheet metal, is topped by an octagonal drum with a characteristic onion-shaped dome. The facades are horizontally clad with wooden planks and decorated with corner pilasters. The entrance is marked by a small vestibule under a gable roof. The interior features a flat beam ceiling, tall rectangular windows, and a traditional layout. Nearby stands a two-tiered wooden belfry in a log-frame style, covered with a tented roof made of sheet iron.

Excursions

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Rukhcha is one of those sites that should be seen in person, especially if you are interested in authentic Belarusian architecture and cultural heritage. You can book a private tour from Minsk to the Stolin District, which includes a visit to this church and other interesting locations in the area. We are happy to arrange a customized tour from Minsk to the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Rukhcha — with a flexible itinerary, stops of your choice, and immersion into the atmosphere of the Polesian countryside.

This trip will be not only fascinating but also educational, giving you a chance to see a nearly three-century-old monument and hear the stories hidden within its walls.