The Mir Castle Complex

The Mir Castle Complex
The Mirsky Castle Complex is located near Mir in the Karelichy District of the Hrodna voblast.
The construction of the castle began at the end of the 15th century, in the Gothic architecture style. Building of the castle was completed by Duke Ilinich in early 16th century. Around 1568 the Mir Castle passed into the hands of Duke Radzivil, who finished building the Castle in Renaissance architecture style. A three story palace was built along the eastern and northern walls of the castle. Plastered facades were decorated with limestone portals, plates, balconies and porches.

After being abandoned for nearly a century and suffering severe damage during the Napoleonic period, the castle was restored at the end of the 19th century.

Radziwill Family .

Reviews

Jolanta Wilkońska, fille de la pr. Kira Światopolk-Mirska (Poland):
2002. and 2004. My photo-exhibition is in Castel Mir. Mir was our family up to 1939 j. ...
Date posted: April 2008
Christer Sundberg (Sweden):
Belorussia might be considered to be the last communist state in Europe but despite its dictator Lukashenka and all it is actually a very friendly, nice and partially also a very modern country. During a cold week in November, when staying in Minsk, I hired myself a guide and a driver to take me for an excursion to the two World Heritage Sites of Belorussia – The “Mir Castle Complex” and the “The Architectural, Residential and Cultural Complex of the Radziwill Family at Nesvizh”.

Today, you can admire the castle and its impressing red brick-walls from the outside as well as from the courtyard. Refurbishment is ongoing and according to my guide there is both a museum, a restaurant and a small hotel with conference facilities in the pipeline here. Also the nearby village of Mir is an interesting visit even though it is quite obvious that the town square houses have been thoroughly painted for tourist purposes. It is however interesting to conclude that the town of Mir (=Peace) had people of not less than four religious persuasions before WWII and within walking distance you find a Russian-Ordodox, Jewish Synagogue and a Polish-Catholic Church. The Muslim mosque was demolished during the war. Perhaps a good example for some regimes in the Middle East to learn from…
 
Martin Hughes (U.K.):
I visited Mir castle twice, first time in july 2001 and again in july 2006. on both occasions my wife and I were working for a U.K. charity improving the town hospital (just round the corner and up the hill, or at the rear of, the castle) In 2001 we had a guide, Valeriy, husband of Janna Brandt, hospital director. He took us around and explained the history of the castle et.c. In 2006 we just walked by the lake without taking advantage of the tour. Very impressive building and so good that it is being looked after and restored. The people of Mir are lovely, we made some good friends.
Date posted: September 2006
Prcce Maria Sviatopolk-Mirski. I live in Stratford. ():
I visited Mir Castle, my family ancestral home on Monday, 13th June, 2005 when it was my 59th birthday. It was a wonderful experience. The Staff of the National Art Museum of Belarus looked after me. I was met at the front of Mir Castle by a cameraman and a journalist. I was interviewed and filmed sitting in my great-grandfather's chair, and also whilst blowing out my birthday cake candles. I had lots of presents. Later that evening, my interview was shown on Belarusian National television (Obshchenatsional'noe Televidenie). I was also taken to a nearby restaurant where there was a table already laid for my delicious birthday feast. My great-grandfather is Prince Nicolas Ivanovitch Sviatopolk-Mirski. My grand-uncle, Prince Mikhail Nicolaevitch Sviatopolk-Mirski, was the last owner of Mir Castle. Now it is under the auspices of The National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus, and is also under UNESCO.

Princess Maria Sviatopolk-Mirski/London/UK.
Date posted: September 2005
Princess Maria Sviatopolk-Mirski. I live in Stratford, East ():
My most memorable day was spent at Mir Castle for my 59th birthday on Monday, 13th June, 2005. The National Art Museum of Belarus Staff came with me to Mir. A television crew came to film me sitting in my great-grandfather's chair! I was also filmed blowing out my birthday candles.
My great-grandfather is Prince Nicolas Ivanovitch Sviatopolk-Mirski. I was interviewed and filmed in one of the towers at Mir Castle. Then the interview was on air the same evening on Belarusian National television, as a news item in a Cultural Report. My mother, Princess Nadezhda Ivanovna Ilchenko (nee Sviatopolk-Mirskaya) lived in one of the towers when she was a young girl. I have photos of her at Mir Castle which I will always treasure.

Princess Maria Sviatopolk-Mirski/London/UK
Date posted: September 2005
nelly laroche (france):
My visit to Mir castle was very special for me and my family
in 1998. The site is impressive. Not only the castle and lake but also the chapel behind which is worth seeing.
The people working there do a really great job.
 
Nikolai Tananaiko (Belarus):
I visited it on a rainy day in March this year, but that was still a very special day.
It reminded me of small French castles in the Poitou Charente region that I have seen, though its bigger in size and has a different style. At the present you can visit only one tower of the castle, the rest is being restored.
The small town of Mir is very pretty too.

The trip from Minsk (the capital) by bus takes about 2 hours.
 


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