In Berdychiv there is a very beautiful and majestic religious building – Monastery-fortress of the Order of Discalced Carmelites. It is necessary to say that it is not simply striking with its beauty construction but also a core around which a spiral of the rich history of the city winds.
The Monastery was founded in the 17th century by a Polish Magnate Yanush Tyshkevich (the owner of the city at that time). Soon he presented it to the monks of the Order of Discalced Carmelites who built the underground church, cells, vaults, and commercial outbuildings, extended the defensive walls strengthening them with towers. Later in honor of the opening of the Monastery-fortress of the Order of Discalced Carmelites Yanush Tykevich presented the thaumaturgic Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It caused a rapid flowering in both either the monastery or the city. Soon there was a school, library, and printing house built beside the building.
With time passing monastery-fortress got lots of tests among which there were ruining and rebuilding (Mariinsky church was built), fire where the Icon of Blessed Virgin Mary was burnt and part of the monastery was ruined again. Nowadays, after all the renovations and reconstructions there is a wonderful exposition of the Berdichev museum in one of the rooms of the Monastery. It narrates about the fascinating history of the city together with some other exhibitions.
