Mir Castle in Belarus - the embodiment of history in stone

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Mir Castle is located in the urban village of Mir. It is located in the Grodno region. This unique architectural monument is a defensive structure. Until 1568, the owners were the Ilinichi, then - until 1828 - the Radziwills. After them, the Wittgensteins were the owners of the residence until 1891. The last owners of the castle complex were Svyatopolk-Mirsky. After that, the Mir Castle, the photo of which is presented below, was transferred to the ownership of the state.

General information

The architectural complex is considered one of the largest and most iconic objects among all the surviving examples of the original Gothic of the Republic of Belarus. The Mir Castle is a square building with sides about 75 meters long and towers located at the corners. Their height is 25-27 meters. At the initial stages of construction, which lasted about 4 years, four towers were built, interconnected by walls. Mir Castle has an original layout. The towers are made in the form of octagonal prisms, mounted, in turn, on tetrahedral ones. The height of the walls is different - from 10 to 12 meters. On the western side (on the road to Vilna) onetower in the middle. At one time, it was the only entrance to the castle courtyard, and there was a prison in its basement. The chapel was located on the second floor of the tower. It was from here that the metal grate descended, which protected the wooden entrance gates.

Chronology of events

The architectural complex participated in almost all military events that once swept like a fiery whirlwind across the Belarusian land. The chronology begins with the Russian-Polish battle (1654-1667) and ends with the Russian-French war (1812). During this time, the religious building was repeatedly stormed and besieged. The years 1665 and 1706 were especially deplorable for the architectural monument. During this time, it suffered significant damage. At the beginning of the 18th century Mir Castle was restored, and in 1784 it was damaged again. In 1812, a battle took place near the walls of the castle complex, in which Davout's (French marshal's) cavalry and the rearguard of Platov's 2nd Russian army took part. Since 1989, the original Gothic masterpiece has been a branch of the National Art Museum in the Republic of Belarus. At the beginning of the 21st century, a grandiose reconstruction of the complex began. It is worth noting that at the same time, the architectural monument remains open to visitors. For your information, an excursion to the Mir Castle costs from 120,000 bel. rub. (about 400 Russian). In 2001, the architectural complex was awarded the status of an independent museum.

Mir Castle: history

The architectural complex representsis a stone structure, the main part of which was erected in the XVI-XVII centuries. According to some scientists and researchers, the manor of feudal lords used to be located on the same place. The castle itself is surrounded by a flat area, and the Miranca River flows next to it. The exact date of construction of the architectural monument is still unknown. However, there are suggestions that its construction began no earlier than 1522. It was then that the owner of the local territories, Yuri Ilyinich, regulated his commodity and property relations with Litavor Khreptovich.

Why was this building erected?

Scientists still cannot agree on the original purpose of building the castle. However, it can be assumed that the Gothic structure was erected for reasons of prestige, especially given the fact that the village of Mir was considered a fairly calm place in those days. However, the thickness of the castle walls (2 m at the top and 3 m at the bottom), as well as a special three-layer mixed brick and stone masonry, speaks of the good defensive capability of the entire complex. In the lower part of the facade, gun loopholes are cut. Battle galleries with strong pine parapets were located near the western and northern walls. Unfortunately, the first owners of the complex - Ilinichi - could not complete the construction, as their family line was interrupted in 1568. The new owners - the Radziwills - resumed the project. Thanks to their activities, the appearance of the building acquired the characteristic features of the Renaissance. Nicholas Christopher Sirotka made a special contribution to the life of the Mir Castle. Being in the possession of the familyRadzivillov, the complex included a 3-storey palace designed by Martin Zaborowski.

The fate of an architectural monument

In 1655, the building was taken by the Cossacks under the leadership of Hetman Ivan Zolotarenko. After that, the battle with Russia, and then the Northern War, brought destruction and desolation for almost 80 years. Only by the 30s of the 18th century the religious building was restored, after which a front hall, a portrait gallery and a dance room appeared in it. Restoration did not bypass the "Italian garden". In 1785 King Stanislav August came to the Mir Castle. He was captivated by the beauty and richness of the interior decoration of the palace. In 1813, the last prince who inherited the property of the Radziwills, Dominic Geronim, died in France. His daughter, Princess Stephanie, became the wife of Leo Wittgenstein. He inherited the Mir Castle. After Stephanie's death, Leo Wittgenstein moved to Germany. His son, being childless, gave the architectural complex into the possession of his sister Maria. But she could not be the owner of real estate under the law. As a result, the complex was sold to Prince Nikolai Svyatopolk-Mirsky. The new owner has begun a grand reconstruction.

Post-war years

After the western part of Belarus was annexed to the USSR in 1939, the architectural gem was nationalized. Until 1941, it housed a production artel, and during the Nazi occupation - a ghetto for Jews and a camp for military prisoners. After the liberation of Belarus1956 civilians lived in the complex. This was partially reflected in the interior decoration of the palace. Since 1947, the building has been under state protection.

Architectural complex today

Mir Castle is the brightest attraction of the Republic of Belarus with a well-developed tourist infrastructure. In addition, various cultural events are very often held near its walls: jousting, festivals and concerts, scientific conferences and theatrical performances. The castle complex is one of the most popular places visited by foreign tourists.