Antonovo belongs to the parish of St. Elias Church in Velikorita. Regionally, the nature and culture themes range from protected areas to traditional dress. When planning your trip, you can prioritise these themes according to your own interests.
Church History and Remembrance
The parish’s history includes a stone church built in 1887 and a brick church consecrated in 1995. The former Elias Church in Velikorita was blown up in 1944 during the German retreat. The construction, consecration and destruction mark different stages in the history of the church.
A report drawn up no earlier than November 1944 records that on 2 November, armed fighters entered the village of Antonovo and fired automatic weapons at a farmers’ meeting. The village council chairman and two activists were killed in the attack; Matveyev, the official responsible for grain procurement, was wounded. The report adds a specific historical focus alongside the churches’ construction history: here, the focus is on a single day and the consequences of the attack.
Parks and Protected Areas
Velikorita Park was laid out in the 19th century alongside the construction of a new wooden manor house. It is a natural monument of local importance. While the history of this park is connected with a manor house, the biological reserve “Lukovo” focuses on a plant species: it was established in September 1994 to preserve one of the largest populations of the yellow lady’s slipper in Belarus.
The “Lukovo” reserve covers 1,523 hectares and is located in Malorita District, 1.5 kilometres north of the Lukovo Reservoir. Its area and proximity to the reservoir give an indication of the reserve’s scale; the orchid population defines its conservation purpose.
The biological cranberry reserve “Gusiak” preserves an extensive wetland in its natural state and provides a habitat for the marsh cranberry. The Tsar Oak stands in this reserve. Thus, the information about Gusiak links wetland landscape and tree, while Lukovo focuses on protecting the yellow lady’s slipper.
The Pogezhin spring has a designated bathing area. Check local conditions before swimming. The Pogezhin Tsar Oak is considered the oldest common oak tree in Belarus; it is 46 metres tall and more than 800 years old. Its height and age make it a distinct nature feature, different from the protected areas and their respective conservation aims.
Traditional Dress, Crafts and Planning
The Malorita District Centre for Folk Art has a permanent exhibition of traditional Malorita dress. Visitors can buy traditional woven and embroidered items there or commission them to their own specifications. Before travelling, check access to the exhibition and the current options for placing orders. This means the visit can focus not only on traditional dress but also on textile crafts.
For travel planning, the Brest–Kovel railway line is a regional reference point: it runs through Malorita District. If you are planning a train journey, check passenger services separately for your travel dates. The local and regional themes offer a range of interests: church and local history for history enthusiasts, protected areas for exploring landscapes and plant life, and traditional dress and crafts for cultural discoveries.
Discover more destinations
Dzivin, Novyja Zasimavičy, Brest, Medna, Voĺka, Stolin, Lyakhavichy, Chierma
For the broader travel overview: Brest Region.
