In Hlybokaye, church architecture, regional history and excursions into the surrounding area offer different focal points for a stay. Two churches stand close together in the historic centre, forming a distinctive architectural ensemble. Routes add further themes to a visit to the town: a one-day bus or car tour of about 36 kilometres, as well as paths through the surrounding natural landscape.

Churches and Architectural History

The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin is considered a valuable architectural monument of the 17th century and an early example of the Vilnius Baroque school in Belarus. The Holy Trinity Church houses the icon “The Assumption of Mary” and a statue of “The Suffering Jesus”. Its present form took shape through additions: side aisles, a transept and sacristies were added during a renovation, creating a three-aisled building. The architecture combines Baroque and Art Nouveau features.

The history of the Holy Trinity Church also reflects changes to the building: after an earlier wooden church burned down in 1654, construction of the brick church began in 1764. It was consecrated on 11 July 1783. The building’s history and its varied architectural features give a visit to the church ensemble a tangible historical context.

Further traces of the town’s history can be found in a preserved former residential building of the Basilian monastery. It belongs to a religious complex whose construction began in the mid-17th century; from 1756 to 1763, a monumental stone ensemble was built there. The “Dedication to the Book” monument commemorates the Bible as the first book printed in Belarus. The stone Bible was installed in 2012 in 17 September Square, between the Orthodox cathedral and the Catholic church.

Museum and Cultural Themes

The Hlybokaye Historical and Ethnographic Museum presents the history of the Hlybokaye region in seven exhibition halls. It opened in December 1997 in the former town administration building, which is considered an architectural monument of the early 20th century. The museum offers thematic exhibitions, lectures, master classes and other cultural events. Informative excursions to historical sites in Hlybokaye and its surroundings are also part of the programme. If you want to plan around a particular lecture or event, check the latest dates in advance.

These different perspectives on local history sit side by side: the architectural history of the churches, the former monastery complex, the book monument and the museum exhibitions. When planning, it is worth distinguishing visits to these sites in town from routes in the surrounding area.

Routes and Landscapes in the Surrounding Area

The “Architectural Monuments of the Belarusian Lake District” route is about 36 kilometres long and is designed as a one-day bus or car tour. It begins in Hlybokaye at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin; the first stop is the Holy Trinity Church. This offers a clear introduction through the two churches before the tour continues. Check the current route details locally before setting off.

A bus-and-walking route leads from the area around Hlybokaye to the Lake Serevich republican hydrological reserve and the habitats of the Sedge Warbler. Visitors can discover rare lowland bog landscapes and their distinctive flora and fauna. The Sedge Warbler is described as Europe’s rarest songbird. This route has a different focus from the one-day bus or car tour: it combines travel by vehicle with a walk and nature-related themes.

Lake Dolgoye is also nearby and is a stop on a cycling route through the notable lakes of the Hlybokaye region. The lake is described as the deepest lake in Belarus. In this way, the wetlands and bird habitats at Lake Serevich complement a cycling route that includes Lake Dolgoye.

A Festival of Cherries and Folklore

The International Cherry Festival has been held in Hlybokaye since 2013. Cherry-based dishes are prepared at the festival, and folk groups from various countries perform songs and dances. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the specific event dates in advance. The festival adds another cultural perspective to visits to the churches and museum, without requiring you to plan around a particular date.

Discover more destinations: Vitebsk, Vuscie, Vorcy, Strusto, Puśki, Pastavy, Miory, Rasony.

See the regional travel overview: Vitebsk Region.