Saint Barbara's Church is a Baroque parish church on European Street in Berdychiv. It is known worldwide because in 1850, the French writer Honoré de Balzac married Ewelina Hańska here.
History
In 1756, a wooden octagonal chapel was built on this site in honor of the coronation of the icon of Our Lady of Berdychiv. In 1759, Barbara Radziwiłł founded the parish of Saint Barbara — thanks to the support of the Radziwiłłs, it was one of the richest in the Lutsk-Zhytomyr Diocese until the 1920s.
The first building was erected in 1782 from pine wood. The brick church was built next to the old one and completed in 1826, while the wooden one was dismantled in 1828. In 1824–1825, while staying at the Radziwiłł court, the young Frédéric Chopin played in this church.
Architecture
The church is made of brick, plastered — a three-nave vaulted Baroque basilica with a rectangular apse. The main facade features a Doric portico with a triangular pediment. A separate two-tier bell tower has not survived.
Balzac in Berdychiv
Honoré de Balzac corresponded with Ewelina Hańska for many years and visited her several times in Verkhivnia. The wedding in Saint Barbara's Church in Berdychiv took place on March 14, 1850, and just a few months later, the writer died in Paris. There is a memorial plaque on the wall of the church, and the temple itself is frequently visited by tourists from France.
Tip
The church is active, so it is best to visit outside of services. Near the entrance is a memorial plaque about Balzac's wedding. Half an hour is enough for a visit, so the church is conveniently combined with the Discalced Carmelite Monastery and a walk through old Berdychiv.
Nearby
Discalced Carmelite Monastery-Fortress — 10 minutes on foot. To Verkhivnia with the Balzac Museum — about 30 km. More in the article Berdychiv District.
