Svyato-Troitsky Markov Monastery (Holy Trinity Markov Monastery) is one of two modern monasteries in Vitebsk (second one is female Svyato-Dukhov Monastery). Markov Monastery was founded in the 14th-15th century. A legend indicates that a certain Mark found a place to stay alone and built a chapel there. After he was joined by like-minded persons, who formed the monastery.
The monastery existed till 1576, after it was abolished and monastic Тrinity Church became a parish church. The monastery revived in 1633 by a duke Lev Oginski. In 1656 Patriarch of Moscow Nikon presented to the monastery a wonder-working copy of Kazan Virgin icon. In 1690 Pokrovskaya (Intercession) Church was burned down was reconstructed. In 1760 in this place the new preserved stone cathedral was constructed. Now it's covers to Kazan Virgin icon.
After October Revolution, in 1920 Svyato-Troitsky Markov Monastery was abolished afresh. All buildings except Kazan Cathedral of 1760 were demolished. Kazan church were the only Vitebsk church functioned in Soviet time. The monastery was revived 23 November 2000. Now it's situated at factory territory in the middle of factory buildings.
References:The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.
The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.
The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.