The history of Slutsk goes back more than one century. A small Belarusian town is known far beyond the borders of its country thanks to its amazing craft, silk belts. And there are a lot of beautiful corners that deserve the attention of travelers.
A beautiful cozy city centuries ago looked different: it served as a fortress.
A bit of history
The settlement appeared on the high bank of the Sluch River in the 10th century. Posad stood in a good place, perfectly visible from any side. During the princely feuds, the posad constantly passed from one power to another. Princess Sofia Slutskaya managed to unite the scattered lands.
At the beginning of the seventeenth century, the Radziwills came to power. The town was rebuilt and strengthened under them, turning into the third in the country in importance. A theater appeared, then a gymnasium. In 1745 the town even acquired a professional ballet. The greatest popularity of the settlement was provided by the textile industry, or rather, the Slutsk belts.
Belt
The town's business card is belts. The Slutsk manufactory, founded in 1752 by one of the Radziwills, was reputed to be the most famous in the territory of the Commonwealth. The famous belts, an indispensable attribute of the noblemen's costume, were woven from silk, silver and gold threads.
Precious metal for one product required from 60 to 200 grams. And the main secret is the double-sided pattern. The creations of the Slutsk masters did not have the seamy side and the front side: they were worn on both sides, at will. The belts are named as an outstanding phenomenon of the decorative and applied arts of Western Europe in the 18-19th centuries.
The factory building was reconstructed in the middle of the 2000s. In addition to the renovated production, a museum, a cafe, and a souvenir shop appeared. A sculpture "Weaver" is installed in front of the building.
Museum
Slutsk belts have long been a collectible, and very expensive. After the opening of the production, the craftsmen were initially invited from Persia. Manufacturing was trusted only by men: the process was too laborious and lengthy.
In the work, threads made of precious metals were used without fail. The creation of just one belt could take up to six months, The museum not only tells the story of the emergence and development of the local manufactory, but also acquaints with the peculiarities of ornaments, shows the modern production process.
A sculpture of a weaver holding a belt stands at the entrance to the building. In front of the museum there is a pattern used in the decoration of the belts, cast in bronze.
Cathedral
The oldest church is St. Michael's Cathedral. The first mention of it dates back to the 14th century. The building was reconstructed four centuries later. Then the temple took on a modern look. An architectural masterpiece built of wood. The building combines elements of classicism and baroque.
The multi-tiered temple is made up of three log cabins. The highest point is the bell tower.
Arched windows adorn the façade. The composition looks solemn and harmonious.
Gymnasium
In 1617 a school appeared in the town. It is the oldest educational institution throughout the country. For some time she even had a chance to visit the Western European center of spiritual development.
The building was originally made of wood; it became stone in the century before last. The new one was built in a classic style. Austerity and solemnity give clear proportions and straight lines. And to this day, a school is located here.
Monuments
Anastasia Slutskaya is called the patroness of the city. In the 16th century, the princess took the lead in his defense. The monument is a sculpture made of granite and bronze. A sword is in the hands of a four-meter figure.
Stone is the material of the skirt, the torso and the sword are cast in bronze.
The sculpture is unique. There is not a single sample of works in Belarus where two materials are also combined.
A monument to Sofia Slutskaya is erected in the park next to the central square. The bronze figure is holding a cross.
The composition also includes a three-vaulted arch, a symbol of the Christian faith. It is decorated with marble boards depicting city temples.
Church with a monastery
The Catholic Church has survived to this day in a single copy, and even then only partially. Only the building of the Bernardine Church, built in the 18th century, has survived.
At the entrance to the city, there is a Catholic church made of red brick. The lack of lavish decoration and the laconicism of the architectural concept give the modern building a solemn and modest look.
Colored stained-glass windows became the only decoration. The interior is ascetic. The decoration uses bas-reliefs with wood sculptures. There is a monastery at the temple.
Chapel
The chapel of the Great Martyr Barbara stands on the site of the city's foundation. The small log building is crowned with five domes.
The original view of the building likens the chapel to the standards of wooden architecture.
The structure is installed on the river bank.
The building of the nobility assembly
The classical style building appeared at the end of the eighteenth century. The facade is decorated with a solid pediment with several impressive-looking columns.
According to the original plan, the manor was built for the landlord. She changed owners a lot until she came under the jurisdiction of the city. The authorities also adapted the building for their own needs.
Currently, there is a museum of local lore. The exposition presents the entire history of Slutsk in detail and in an interesting way. In 2005, an art gallery was opened as a museum branch.
House of culture
The building will appeal to all connoisseurs of modern architecture. It stands on the river bank. The building combines monumentality and futurism. The House of Culture fits perfectly into the urban landscape. It stands on the old city castle and is clearly visible from the embankment.
The city is separated from Minsk by one hundred kilometers to the south. The road will take about an hour and a half. You can easily reach the city not only by car, but also by minibus or bus.
