Minsk

Received on: 25 Feb, 2013

Distance: 961 km (597 miles)

Travel time: 12 days

 Thank you Lena from Minsk.

Right: Independence square, Catholoc church of Saints Simon and Helena ( The Red Church )

Left: Sculpture of Archangel Michael

The Church of Saints Simon and Helen is one of the most recognizable churches in Minsk because of its red brick construction. Located on the western end of Independence Square, the Roman Catholic church was built in 1905-1910 but was closed for much of its existence during Soviet times when it served as anything from a theatre to a film studio. Since 1990 the building has been active once again as a Catholic church, and is now connected with the Polish community in the city.