Excursion Mir - Nesvizh

Convenient starting point in the center of Minsk

We start our journey in the most convenient place - at Minsk railway station (1st floor, near the central escalator). Easy to get to, easy to find - no unnecessary worries before the start of the trip.

Mir castle

The first point of the route is Mir Castle - one of the most recognizable symbols of Belarus. Here you can be transported back to the era of knights, walking through the courtyards where swords once clanged and ball music sounded. During the tour of Mir Castle you will look into the richly decorated halls, where furniture, carvings and gilding will help you imagine the times when the powerful families of Ilinich, Radziwill and Svyatopolk-Mirsky lived here.

Mir Castle has a rich and dramatic history, which began in the early 16th century, when it was founded by Prince Yuri Ilyinich as a Gothic residence-fortress. In 1568 the castle came into the possession of the Radziwills, who significantly rebuilt it in the Renaissance style, adding palatial elements, ramparts and a moat. Over its centuries-long history, the castle has been repeatedly destroyed during numerous wars, including the Northern War and the Patriotic War of 1812, which led to periods of desolation. At the end of the 19th century, it was acquired by the princes Svyatopolk-Mirsky, who carried out a large-scale restoration, returning it to its former grandeur. In 2000, Mir Castle was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming one of the main historical and cultural attractions of Belarus.

Chapel-tomb of Svyatopolk-Mirsky

A must-see chapel-tomb of the Svyatopolk-Mirsky is a unique example of the Art Nouveau style, which will surprise you with its architecture and, perhaps, reveal the secrets of the mysterious ghost of Sonechka.

The chapel-tomb of the Svyatopolk-Mirsky is an integral part of the Mir castle and park complex, located in the English Park next to the castle. It was built in 1904–1910 according to the design of the St. Petersburg architect Robert Marfeld on the initiative of Princess Cleopatra Mikhailovna Svyatopolk-Mirskaya, the wife of Prince Nikolai Ivanovich Svyatopolk-Mirsky, who acquired the castle at the end of the 19th century.

Excursion in the city of Nesvizh

After a comfortable transfer and a hearty lunch, you will have an excursion to Nesvizh - a city that was the center of culture and power of the powerful Radziwills. This is a place that everyone who has ever been to Belarus should see!

You will see the Nesvizh Town Hall – the oldest functioning town hall in Belarus, the heart of the medieval city, as well as the Craftsman's House – the only surviving example of an 18th-century urban dwelling with a unique baroque facade. This is a rare chance to look into the life of past centuries. The Nesvizh Benedictine Monastery and the impressive Slutsk Gate will not go unnoticed - architectural monuments that emphasize the historical significance of Nesvizh as an educational and defensive center. You will visit the Nesvizh Farny Church – the first Baroque church in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth! Its frescoes, interiors and the famous Radziwill Crypt (the third in Europe in terms of the number of burials) will leave an indelible impression.

Nesvizh Palace - the culmination of the trip

Excursion to Nesvizh Palace will not leave anyone indifferent. Parquet made of valuable wood, gilded walls, unique decoration... Each room here is a photo zone! And, of course, the main character of local legends is the Black Lady of Nesvizh. Try to "catch" her in the frame or at least feel her presence!

Nesvizh Palace, the former residence of the Radziwills, was founded in 1583 by Nikolai Christopher Radziwill the Orphan. It was one of the first bastion castles in Europe, combining Renaissance and Baroque features. It survived wars and destruction, but was restored, and in 2005 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.