Nesvizh Palace
Nesvizh Palace and Park Ensemble
Nesvizh Palace is considered the country’s most beautiful palace by the people of Belarus. Its richly diverse architecture and attractive gardens make it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Belarus.
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Nesvizh Palace is on the Nesvizh Estate, one of the oldest settlements and most famous places in Belarus. Nesvizh is in the Minsk region of Belarus, approximately 120km south-west of Minsk.
Nesvizh was named Belarus’ 2012 Capital of Culture. Nesvizh became the third Belarusian town after Polotsk and Gomel which had been given this honorary status.
The history of Nesvizh Palace
The estate and town was acquired by the Radziwil family in the middle of the 16th century, and they stayed there until 1939 when they were expelled by the invading Red Army.
The foundation stone of Nesvizh Palace was laid in 1584. It was rebuilt many times and as a consequence has features of manyarchitectural styles including:
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Renaissance
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Baroque
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Rococo
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Classicism
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Neo-gothic
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Modernism
In 1770 Nesvizh Palace was seized by Russian forces and the Lithuanian Archive removed and sent to Saint Petersburg where it remains to this day. Much of the artwork was distributed among Russian nobility.
In the late 19th century Nesvizh Palace was restored by the Radziwil family who also designed one of largest landscape gardens in Europe on the estate.
After World War 2 Nesvizh Palace was used as a Sanatorium and the gardens became neglected.
In 1994 the estate was designated the national historical and cultural reserve and in 2006 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Nesvizh Palace today
Nesvizh Palace is considered the most beautiful palace in Belarus and attracts thousands of visitors every year. The gardens are a particular attraction, with ornamental lakes, and beautifully landscaped gardens.
Nesvizh Palace went through an extensive renovation programme to restore it to its former glory.
After intensive restoration works (since 2004), Nesvizh Palace reopened its doors for visitors in June 2012.
Getting to Nesvizh Palace and where to stay
Nesvizh Palace is best reached by car. It is easily accessed by the M1 motorway from Minsk, turning off at the P11 road to the south.
Alternatively there is a bus service to Nesvizh from Minsk. The journey takes around three hours.
There is a hotel in Nesvizh, but it is also easy to stay in a hotel in Minsk and take a day-trip to the estate.
Other things to see near Nesvizh Palace
Nesvizh Palace is just one of the sights to see in Nesvizh and if you are planning a trip you should also try to visit:
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Nesvizh Benedictine Monastery
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Farny Polish Roman Catholic Church (16th century Baroque)
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Nesvizh town square
A little further afield but still in the area and worth seeing is:
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