Ivanava – Churches, Crafts and History

• The Church of the Exaltation of the Cross is Ivanava’s oldest surviving historic building; it was built of brick in the Empire style in 1848.
• The Orthodox St. Pokrovskaya Church was built in 1901 with donations from parishioners.
• The “Labyrinth of Time” displays models of lost historical cultural heritage sites from Ivanovo District.
• A railway connects Ivanava with Brest to the west and with Pinsk, Luninets and Gomel to the east.

The Church of the Exaltation of the Cross combines a clear historical date with particular religious significance. It was built of brick in the Empire style in 1848. The construction costs were covered by the priest Francisk Pallulon. As the city’s oldest surviving historic building, it is a tangible landmark in Ivanava’s architectural history.

The Catholic church is also a shrine to Saint Andrew Bobola; his relics are kept there. The faithful visit the church every year. This makes the building a place where historic architecture and religious devotion come together. The Orthodox St. Pokrovskaya Church, also known as the Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God, is another historic landmark: it was built in 1901 on Janow’s central square with donations from parishioners.

A monument in Ivanava commemorates Napoleon Orda, an artist and composer. During his travels in the 19th century, Orda captured castles, palaces, manor houses, churches and other architectural landmarks in what is now Belarus on canvas. The monument connects a specific place in the city with a broader view of the architecture Orda depicted in his works.

The “Labyrinth of Time” displays models of lost historical cultural heritage sites from Ivanovo District. The models highlight something different from the monument: here, the focus is on the district’s architectural heritage. Together with the churches, they offer different ways to explore cultural history—from surviving buildings and religious connections to models of lost landmarks.

The cooperage school is described as the only school of its kind in Belarus. It displays a variety of practical wooden objects, including barrels, cups, bowls, spoons, butter churns and bathing items. The selection gives a sense of the range of everyday objects on display and complements the historic churches and monuments with a focus on craftsmanship. If you are planning a visit, check the current visiting arrangements in advance.

Ivanava’s bus station is in the city center, near the square. A railway connects the city westward to Brest and eastward to Pinsk, Luninets and Gomel. These offer different reference points for planning: the central location of the bus station and the listed rail connections in both directions. No timetables are provided, so check the connections before your trip.

The central October Square is recommended as a starting point for exploring the city. It provides a specific place to begin finding your way around. If you include the churches, the monument and the “Labyrinth of Time” in your plans, you can explore the city’s history through different themes rather than focusing on a single building.

Brest Region also offers other cultural and nature experiences. Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park has cycling routes of 10 km, 25 km, 27 km and 45 km. The Natural History Museum there shares information about the forest, animals, plants and the park’s ecology. Check the current access conditions before visiting the park. The population of more than 300 European bison cited for the park is a historical statistic, not a current census.

Crafts and everyday culture are the focus of other museums in Brest Region. The Museum of Folk Art in Motol is a center for Polesie ethnography and explores crafts, clothing, everyday life and Motol culture. The “Bezdyezhski Fartushok” Museum focuses on traditional aprons as well as Polesie weaving, clothing and women’s handiwork. As a comparison of themes, the exhibits here range from Ivanava’s wooden objects to textiles and regional everyday culture.

Discover more destinations: Cherni, Panikvy, Franopaĺ, Bjarosa, Malinaŭka, Ružany, Voĺka, Chierma.

What makes the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross special?

It is Ivanava’s oldest surviving historic building, was built in 1848 and is a shrine to Saint Andrew Bobola. His relics are kept there.

What should you do before visiting the cooperage school?

Check the current visiting arrangements in advance. Items on display include barrels, cups, bowls and spoons.

Where is it recommended to start exploring the city?

Central October Square is recommended as a starting point for exploring Ivanava.

See the main travel overview: Brest Region.