Višnieva - is a large village of Valozhyn district, Minsk region of Belarus. One of the main architectural sights of the village of Višnieva is the ancient stone Catholic church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Originally, in 1424, a wooden church was built in the village of Višnieva. Then, in 1637-1641 in its place was erected a completely new stone church, preserved to our days. It is noteworthy that the figure on the main facade of the church in the village of Višnieva is 1424, as if this church was built just this year. However, we repeat, 1424 is the year of the foundation of the parish and the construction of the first wooden church, from which nothing has been preserved to our time. Nevertheless, the preserved stone church in the village of Višnieva, belongs to the middle of the 17th century, is a very ancient and valuable architectural monument and an interesting landmark of Belarus.
After the fire of 1771, along with a number of restoration works, the temple was also slightly completed, in particular, the vestries that had been missing before were added. In 1906 the church underwent another reconstruction, in particular the main facade of the church was crowned with two small square towers. A notable feature in the history of the church in the village of Višnieva is that it is one of the few Catholic churches in Belarus that were not closed during the Soviet period. Today the church in the village of Višnieva is in excellent condition and continues to function. It (like the whole village of Višnieva) is very picturesquely located on the high bank of a small artificial reservoir. Near the church there is a very beautifully arranged source with the Holy Water, as well as a bell tower built in the middle of the 19th century.
The next important attraction of the village of Višnieva is the Orthodox church of Saints Cosmas and Demian. This stone church was built in 1865. The church in the village of Višnieva is also in excellent condition and is operational. The area around the church is very beautifully landscaped. Near the church in the village of Višnieva there is a remarkable monument - a true small bell. Like the Catholic church, this temple is an important cultural and historical value of Belarus.
Another important architectural monument of the village of Višnieva is the production area, which includes several factory buildings of the 19th century. These buildings are still used today for economic purposes, so they are not very attractive as a tourist sights. Nevertheless, it is necessary to mention them, because according to some information it was here that one of the largest and, perhaps, the oldest metallurgical plants in the territory of modern Belarus and Lithuania was located.
The village of Višnieva is located on the bank of a small river Olshanka, which in this place forms a small but very picturesque artificial reservoir, which has already been mentioned. In the 19th century the village of Višnieva was a very large and lively village. In addition to the very successful metallurgical production here functioned: pottery, distillery, shoemaking, tanning and sewing workshops, a creamery, match factory, a folk college, a post office, a telegraph office, a churches, a synagogue, a workshop for the production of armchairs, many shops, a pharmacy. Here the bazaars were held weekly. To date, the village of Višnieva is still quite large. Today, you can also find all the elements of the basic infrastructure that successfully complement the important sights of this village. Tourists and travelers will be able to spend a very pleasant and informative time here.
In addition, the fates of several outstanding people are closely connected with the village of Višnieva. In particular, Shimon Peres was born and spent his childhood here - one of the most famous and influential Israeli politicians of his time, whose political career lasted more than 70 years, repeatedly held senior government posts, including being prime minister and president of Israel, Nobel laureate of 1994. Shimon Peres emigrated to Palestine with his family in 1934 at the age of 11. All of his numerous relatives who remained in the village of Višnieva later died during the Holocaust. Another important historical figure, whose fate is connected with the village of Višnieva, is Symon Budny - a well-known Belarusian humanist and educator. It was here that he spent the last years of his life and died in 1593.
It must also be mentioned that near the village of Višnieva in its vicinity there is a small manor, or rather the ruins of a hunting residence of the magnate family of Chreptowicz. This manor even has a separate name: "Odrovonzh", however, today it is usually referred to the village of Višnieva. At one time, it was probably really a very picturesque place. Here a small but very remarkable hunting lodge was surrounded by a picturesque park with artificial ponds. However, today all this magnificence is lost. The fact is that in Soviet times in this mansion there was a children's pioneer camp. Then it was liquidated, and since then this place has come to desolation. So, for today we have: ruins rebuilt in the Soviet era, and now an unattractive two-story building, overgrown with wild forest. Now not even on every car you can safely get to this place. In a word, for tourists and travelers this place can no longer be of any interest whatsoever.