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Red Church

The Church of Saints Simon and Helena, popularly known as the Red Church, is the most famous Catholic church in Minsk and a striking architectural landmark on Independence Square. Built between 1905-1910, it was financed by nobleman Edward Woynillowicz and named after his two children who died young. Polish architect Tomasz Pajzderski created a unique style combining Neo-Romanesque, Neo-Gothic, and Art Nouveau elements. The distinctive red brick gives the church its nickname. A bronze Archangel Michael statue and the Nagasaki Bell memorial stand in front.

Practical Information

Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Visit Duration

Minimum0.5 hours
Recommended0.5 hours
Maximum1 hours

Entrance Fee

Free

Free entry. Active Roman Catholic church. Dress code applies. Closed during services

Best Time to Visit

Exterior is best viewed in morning or evening light. The red brick facade photographs beautifully against blue sky. Check current access status as interior visits have been restricted.

Crowd Level

Low — few visitors
Official Website

How to Get There

Located on Independence Square. Metro station Ploshchad Lenina. Easy walking distance from the city center and train station.

What to Expect

A stunning Neo-Romanesque church with distinctive red brick facade, asymmetric towers, and memorial sculptures. Interior features stained glass and wall paintings by Franciszek Bruzdowicz (access may be restricted). A powerful contrast to the Soviet architecture surrounding it.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi
Not available

Working Hours

Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Monday08:00 — 19:00
Tuesday08:00 — 19:00
Wednesday08:00 — 19:00
Thursday08:00 — 19:00
Friday08:00 — 19:00
Saturday08:00 — 19:00
Sunday08:00 — 19:00
Note

Red Church (Church of Saints Simon and Helena) is the main Catholic church in Minsk at Independence Square. Neo-Gothic style, built 1905-1910 from red brick. Active church - observe silence. Masses in Belarusian and Polish.

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access
Fully accessible

faq.title

faq.subtitle Red Church

The church earned its nickname from the distinctive red brick used in its construction. The red brick facade contrasts dramatically with the surrounding Soviet-era buildings and makes it one of the most recognizable landmarks in Minsk.

Two significant memorials stand before the church: a bronze statue of Archangel Michael piercing a serpent (installed 1996 for the first Synod of Catholic Church in Belarus), and the Nagasaki Bell (2000) commemorating victims of nuclear disasters worldwide.

Travel Tips

Useful tips for visiting Red Church

Even if interior access is restricted, the exterior Neo-Romanesque architecture is worth seeing. The Archangel Michael statue symbolizes victory of heaven over darkness. The Nagasaki Bell was installed in 2000 as a memorial to nuclear disaster victims.

Located on Independence Square. Metro station Ploshchad Lenina. Easy walking distance from the city center and train station.

A stunning Neo-Romanesque church with distinctive red brick facade, asymmetric towers, and memorial sculptures. Interior features stained glass and wall paintings by Franciszek Bruzdowicz (access may be restricted). A powerful contrast to the Soviet architecture surrounding it.

Reviews

Weather

Average temperature by month

Nowweather-8°
85%9 м/с
Todayweather-6°-8°
Tomorrowweather-8°-11°
Thuweather-12°-21°
Friweather-17°-24°
Satweather-11°-20°
Sunweather-10°-18°
Monweather-12°-22°
-2°
-8°Jan
-1°
-7°Feb
4°
-3°Mar
13°
4°Apr
20°
9°May
23°
13°Jun
25°
15°Jul
24°
14°Aug
18°
9°Sep
10°
4°Oct
4°
-1°Nov
-1°
-6°Dec

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