Belarus is a country of endless spaces and kind people. It is located in Europe, in its eastern part. This is a country with a rich history and culture, a wonderful land of forests, rivers and lakes.
Getting from the western part of Russia to any city in Belarus by car will not be difficult and will not take much time - you can spend three to four days traveling. But this will give the opportunity to visit many beautiful and memorable places. To visit Belarus, you do not need a passport and a visa. Entry for Russian citizens is free. If you nevertheless decide to visit this country, be sure to purchase a Green Card insurance policy. Prices in shops, cafes, hotels will pleasantly surprise you, there are no problems with exchanging money, in extreme cases you can pay in Russian rubles, you do not need to buy dollars for a trip to Belarus!
The capital of Belarus is the city of Minsk. You can write a whole book about it, but I will tell you about other cities and places that we managed to visit in a few days of our stay in Belarus.
Nesvizh
It is a city in the Minsk region (110 km from Minsk), with a population of about 15,000. The first mention of Nesvizh dates back to 1223. In 1533 the city passed into the possession of the famous Radziwills family. The Radziwills are the richest family in the Principality of Lithuania. The first owner of the family was Jan Radziwill, nicknamed the Bearded, then, in 1547, Nesvizh became the residence of Jan Radziwill's eldest son, Nikolai Radziwill, nicknamed Black. In 1586, the city receives the legal status of an indivisible hereditary possession (ordination). The city had the status of "Nesvizh ordination" until 1939 and remained under the possession of the Radziwills family.
What can you see in Nesvizh?
Nesvizh Castle is a palace and castle complex. Recently renovated. The first mention of the construction of the castle - 1551, during the reign of Nicholas Radziwill the Black. The castle was rebuilt by more than one generation of the family and combines several different styles in its architecture.
Nesvizh Castle is surrounded by ponds of the Usha River and a magnificent park. You can visit the castle with a long history at any time of the year, either with a guided tour or on your own. The palace and castle complex is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Church of the Body of God (Farny). The construction of the church lasted from 1587 to 1593. Lighting took place in 1601. The church houses the tomb (crypt) of the Radziwill family, the third largest in Europe.
To establish it, Nikolai Radziwill Orphan went to see the Pope for permission. According to Christian custom, bodies are buried, and in the crypt they remain unburied. Considering the merits of the Radziwill family, the Pope gave his permission. The founder of the crypt and the first buried in it Radziwill the Sirotka established two rules that no one dares to break. The first rule: only the Radziwills should rest in the crypt (although he himself violated it - at his feet is the sarcophagus of a devoted servant). Second: all Radziwills are buried in simple clothes, without adornments and excesses. Probably, thanks to this rite, the crypt has survived to this day and was not plundered. Legend has it that Radziwill the Orphan himself was buried in a pilgrim's cloak. The church and the tomb are very popular, and there are many legends associated with this place.
The Nesvizh Town Hall was built in 1596. It is the oldest of all those preserved on the territory of Belarus. The Town Hall suffered several fires, was rebuilt several times, after restoration it acquired its original appearance. An observation platform, a clock and a bell are located on the tower of the town hall. There is a museum on the second floor of the town hall. The first is now a restaurant.
The former Benedictine monastery was built in 1591, by decree and at the expense of the wife of Radziwill the Orphan - Euphemia Radziwill. Initially, the monastery was connected to the city by a bridge, was surrounded by a stone wall and was part of the city's defensive system. The Church of St. Euphemia was built on the territory of the monastery. Previously, the daughters of wealthy and influential townspeople studied at the monastery. The monastery had a music school and a large library. The Benedictine monastery was finally closed in 1939, and during the Great Patriotic War the church burned down.
In 1988, a treasure was found in the basement of the former church. 141 tableware items. Items from the hoard are part of the exposition in the local museum of local lore.
Slutsk Brama is the only surviving gate in the city that is part of the system of city fortifications. The gate is called so because of its position, they are directed towards the city of Slutsk. The brama was built at the end of the 16th century, in the Baroque style. It has two tiers - on the first there is an arch for passage and there used to be premises for guards and customs, on the second - there used to be a chapel (prayer room) with an icon of the Mother of God. Slutsk Brama is recognized as a monument of international importance.
Also in Nesvizh you can see other historical sights: Former Inn, Building of the former Plebania (on the territory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, this was the name of the house of a priest with a utility yard and outbuildings), House of Craftsman, Bulgarin Chapel, Complex of the former Bernardine monastery (at present, only only one complex of the monastery)
Nesvizh is a very cozy and clean city. The centuries-old castles and buildings are surrounded by beautiful parks. There are some very cozy cafes.
