The Saint Sophia Cathedral in Vitebsk is planned to be built on the bank of the Western Dvina River in the Chekhov Street area
The head of the region noted that a bridge across the Western Dvina is planned for construction in the Chekhov Street area. In this regard, the street will be significantly widened, and tram tracks are planned to be laid along it and across the bridge, which will connect to the existing overpass on Titov Street. A site has also been allocated on the bank of the Western Dvina for the potential construction of a cathedral modeled after the Saint Sophia Cathedral of Polotsk of the 11th century. "To begin the implementation of this project, the approval of the head of state is required. If permission is granted, we will all start the construction of the cathedral together," said Alexander Kosinets. According to his information, all blueprints for the future church are ready.
The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee added that the implementation of the bridge construction project will require the relocation of the M.F. Shmeryov Museum. One of the possible options is to house the exhibition in the building on Uspenskaya Hill, which is currently occupied by the Marc Chagall Art Center. This museum will eventually move to Pravdy Street, where an entire museum quarter will be created. Its center will be the building at Pravdy Street, 5A – it was here in the early 20th century that Marc Chagall opened his art school. "Reconstruction and restoration of the historical building are currently underway. The administrative building of Stroytrest No. 9, as well as the house at Kalinin Street, which previously housed one of Vitebsk's radio stations, will also be allocated for the museum," said Alexander Kosinets. The museum complex being created will house exhibitions dedicated to Chagall, Malevich, Pen, art galleries, and a branch of the Department of Arts of VSU named after P.M. Masherov will operate there.
The leadership of the Vitebsk region is working today during the republican subbotnik on the improvement and construction sites of Gorodok. In the district center, large volumes of work are planned to be carried out at the military burial site, the central square, the sports and recreation complex, the house of crafts and culture, and the "Rodina" cinema. In total, about 8.5 thousand people are working at the subbotnik in Gorodok. Alena Tikhonova