Here is some interesting places that you can see outside the Minsk, and visit it with excursion
1. Mir
The small beautiful town of Mir is located in 85 km north-west of Minsk. At first the city was mentioned in 1395 and belonged to the Ilinicz family, then in 1569 its belonged to the Radziwill family.
The city has a rich history. During its existence (life) the city changed owners many times, and belonged to the different states such as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian empire, Poland and Belarus. Since 18th century Mir became an important spiritual center of the Polish Jewry. Nowaday Mir is a small city with the population is about 2500 people. The city has some industry including agriculture, animal breeding, crafts and trade. Mir still has the old street planning. The streets are straight in the center and there is a circumferential road around the periphery. |
Square of the 17th of September is in th center of the city. At the same time it's the historical centre of Mir. The whole long history of Mir is connected with this square. There are two churches on the opposite sides of the square.Mir is well-known beyond the country due to its major place of interest - the Castle.
Mir Castle is a unique monument of Belarusian architecture, it was built by duke Ilinich in early 16th century. After his death Mir Castle was owned by Dukes Radziwill. He had finished its building in Renaissance style. This is a square-planned building with towers at the corners. There is one more tower with the only entrance to the Castle. The towers are 23-25 meters high, and the walls are 10 meters high. All the towers have a similar structure. In the year 2000 Mir Castle was put on the UNESCO World Heritage List. |
There are the hotel and the restaurant located in the Mir Castle. Living in the castle you can enjoy peace and quiet, ride in the neighborhood, where you will find plenty of interesting places, from small villages to castles, museums, ancient towns with their medieval cathedrals.
The hotel has luxury and modern comfort. All rooms are decorated in unique design style. In hotel there are 15 rooms for 29 persons. Each room has climate control system, heated floors, satellite TV, telephone, Internet, safe. The restaurant in the Mir Castle is situated in the basement and designed in art nouveau style. In the restaurant you will be able to taste dishes of the old Lithuanian, Polish and Belarusian cuisine. |
2. Nesvizh
Nesvizh one of the oldest and most mysterious cites in Belarus. It reached its zenith in the middle 16th century owned by the Radziwill magnates.Nesvizh lies on the river Usha. From 1921 to 1939 the town belonged to Poland, then to Belarus. During the years of World War II it was occupied by the German troops. The first historical record of Nesvizh was made in 1446. Since the 15th century it was the ownership of a very rich magnate Stanislaw Jan Kiszka. His daughter Anna got married to J.M. Radziwill and she gave Nesvizh to the Radziwill family as a dowry. In 1586 Nesvizh was granted the Magdeburg Privilege and became a self-governed town. Since 1523 up to 1939, for more than four centuries, Nesvizh was the Radziwills' property.
The city map
1. Ensemble of the town hall with trade rows
2. "House at the market"
3. The Benedictine Monastery
4. Slutsk Brama (city gates)
5. Symon Budny Monument
6. Priest's Homestead
7. Corpus Christi Parochial Cathedral (Farny Roman-Catholic Church)
8. Tower of the Castle gates
9. Nesvizh Castle
10. Nesvizh Park
2. "House at the market"
3. The Benedictine Monastery
4. Slutsk Brama (city gates)
5. Symon Budny Monument
6. Priest's Homestead
7. Corpus Christi Parochial Cathedral (Farny Roman-Catholic Church)
8. Tower of the Castle gates
9. Nesvizh Castle
10. Nesvizh Park
At present Nesvizh is one of the most brisk tourist centers in Belarus. There are many monuments of the history. Some of them are of international importance. Among them first of all is the famouse Nesvizh Castle, the former Jesuit Catholic Church (Farny Roman-Catholic Church), the Town Hall, the Benedictine Monastery, the Town Defensive Tower (all of them of XVI century), Slutsk Gate and Dwelling houses.
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Nesvizh CastleNesvizh Castle is the main object of the architectural-cultural complex, the former residence of the Radziwill family. It's located on an island in some distance away from town. It's possible to get to the Palace through the gate along the long bridge made of stones. The entrance to the Castle represents a gate, covered on the top, characteristic of the Belarusian architecture. The Castle have a shape of a quadrangle. Nesvizh Castle in the old days was one of the most powerful and modern in Belarus.
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The interior of the Castle are very beautiful. Inside there the walls above the stairs painted with frescoed. From the entrance hall they lies to the halls and galleries. The halls have their names, for example, Royal, Hetman, Senatorial, Knightly, Hunters, Marble, Golden and others. The walls of the apartments are decorated with stucco moulding in the shape of garlands, with gilded cornices, carved oak panels and vivid silk and leather framings. The floor have an oak parquet. The decoration of the apartments are supplement with multicoloure tiled fireplaces.
Legend of "The black lady"
Usually tourists asked the question if there are any ghosts in the Castle. The answer is - "Yes, there are".
For four centuries a legend of "the black lady" has been living in Nesvizh. They say that every night at a quarter past twelve a mysterious female figure begins to wander in the rooms of the Castle. She cries about her young ruined life and about her great love. After she disappears at a quarter past four.
Nesvizh Castle is a historical place, and the heroine of the legend is a true historic character.
It was happend many years ago in 15th century when Zygmunt Old was at power. He was married to Italian Princess Bona Sforza. They had a son Zygmunt August and he was also married. His palace in Wilno was close to the palace were lived Barbara Radziwill. She widowed at the age of twenty, and she was the most beautiful woman in Wilno. Their love Barbara and Zygmunt August started immediately after the first August's visit to Barbara's residence. In the course of time their affair grew into deep sincere love. He even ordered to make an underground passage between the palaces. August's wife died, and (1547) he secretly got married with Barbara. He hoped that after the Zygmunt Old death Barbara would be presented as his legal wife. It happend in 1548. They announced about it in Wilno and she became Grand Duchess of Lithuania. But August's mother was against it. Barbara's coronation took place on the 7th of December 1550. She was recognized by the society as Polish Queen and Grand Duchess of Lithuania. But unfortunately, Barbara was seriously ill and died in five months, on the 8th of May 1551. They say that she have been poisoned by order of the August's mother Bona Sforza. Zygmunt August was very upset he wanted to bury Barbara in the Wilno. Befor bury August wanted to speak with the spirit of Barbara. The black magic Tvardovsky assisted him. Tvardovsky had a magic mirrow in which Barbara appeared dressed in white clothes. The king hadn't been allowed to touch the mirrow, but he did. As soon as he touched it, the picture disappeared. Since that time Barbara's soul has been roaming the Castle. The Castle couldn't be left without a ghost.
For four centuries a legend of "the black lady" has been living in Nesvizh. They say that every night at a quarter past twelve a mysterious female figure begins to wander in the rooms of the Castle. She cries about her young ruined life and about her great love. After she disappears at a quarter past four.
Nesvizh Castle is a historical place, and the heroine of the legend is a true historic character.
It was happend many years ago in 15th century when Zygmunt Old was at power. He was married to Italian Princess Bona Sforza. They had a son Zygmunt August and he was also married. His palace in Wilno was close to the palace were lived Barbara Radziwill. She widowed at the age of twenty, and she was the most beautiful woman in Wilno. Their love Barbara and Zygmunt August started immediately after the first August's visit to Barbara's residence. In the course of time their affair grew into deep sincere love. He even ordered to make an underground passage between the palaces. August's wife died, and (1547) he secretly got married with Barbara. He hoped that after the Zygmunt Old death Barbara would be presented as his legal wife. It happend in 1548. They announced about it in Wilno and she became Grand Duchess of Lithuania. But August's mother was against it. Barbara's coronation took place on the 7th of December 1550. She was recognized by the society as Polish Queen and Grand Duchess of Lithuania. But unfortunately, Barbara was seriously ill and died in five months, on the 8th of May 1551. They say that she have been poisoned by order of the August's mother Bona Sforza. Zygmunt August was very upset he wanted to bury Barbara in the Wilno. Befor bury August wanted to speak with the spirit of Barbara. The black magic Tvardovsky assisted him. Tvardovsky had a magic mirrow in which Barbara appeared dressed in white clothes. The king hadn't been allowed to touch the mirrow, but he did. As soon as he touched it, the picture disappeared. Since that time Barbara's soul has been roaming the Castle. The Castle couldn't be left without a ghost.
3. Dudutki Ethnological Museum
There are a lot of interesting sights in Belarus. We have already known about Mir and Nesvizh. Many tourists, who visit Belarus and its capital Minsk should visit another interesting place out of the capital - Dudutki.
Dudutki is a museum of Belarusian country culture, which represented many national crafts - and even also about the people who fabricate this crafts. In museum you can see how early forge horseshoes and armor. You can watch the work of the potter. You can taste the cheese prepared expressly for the local creamery. Duduttki Ethnological Museum complex includes several buildings - this craft courtyard with a creamery, pottery workshop, a mini-exhibition of folk life and forge. There are Animal Farm, where in addition to the usual cows, geese and chickens - boar and deer. |
A wooden church in honor of John Prophet built near the entrance to the estate in 2008.
There is a garage, where you can see examples of antique cars. The collection of old cars in Dudutki is the one of the most interesting part of museum's exposition. There are many popular models which was used even 20 years ago. There are also many rarities, which could be a reason of envy many European museums. The pearl of collection, the most unique and most valuable auto piece of Dudutki is a german car. It's sport-coupe Hanomag. Hanomag was produced in Germany in the 1930. The model of Dudutki is from 1936. The Museum is located 40 kilometers from Minsk. |