Ruins of an Old Church with an Obligation to Demolish Them Immediately are Being Sold at Auction in Dzyarzhynsk District
An unusual object has been put up for sale near Minsk — the ruins of the former Saints Peter and Paul Church in Starinki village, Dzyarzhynsk district, which is almost 200 years old. The remnants of the building, constructed back in 1836, are now planned not for restoration or conservation, but for complete demolition, writes Domovita.by.
The ruins of the 19th-century former Saints Peter and Paul Church in Dzyarzhynsk district have been put up for open bidding with an unusual condition — the new owner must not restore, but completely demolish the building.
The auction is organized by the Minsk Regional Center for Investments and Privatization. An emergency building with an area of about 129 square meters in Starinki village is for sale. The initial price is 3100 rubles, and the deposit is 310 rubles. The bidding is scheduled for July 31, 2026.
The church itself was built in 1836 with funds from the local landowner Alexander Lensky. Initially, it was planned as a Catholic church, but after consecration, it was transformed into a Uniate church, and a few years later, it was transferred to the Orthodox community. The building was constructed in the late Classicism style with characteristic architectural elements — a rectangular base, pilasters, and large semicircular windows.
During World War II, the church was severely damaged and lost its roof. After the war, it was not restored, and over time, only the outer walls of the building remained. Despite its historical value and age, the ruins did not receive the status of an architectural monument, and therefore were recognized as dilapidated.
The terms of sale are not advantageous for everyone: the buyer will not receive a land plot for development and will not be able to use the territory for other purposes. The only thing they will get is the opportunity to dismantle the building and take the old bricks.
After acquiring the object, the owner must obtain a demolition permit from the district executive committee within a month. The demolition itself must be carried out within a year without complex project documentation. After that, the territory must be reclaimed and put in order, and a report on the completed work submitted to the local rural executive committee.
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