The bridge
Over the moat.
Tatiana Matlina — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Tatiana Markina — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Budgawl — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sergeynikon — CC BY-SA 3.0 · sandexx — CC BY 3.0
Nesvizh Castle is a fortified residence of the Radziwill family in the town of Nesvizh, in central Belarus. In 2005 it was inscribed with its surroundings on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and it played a part in the development of architecture in Central and Eastern Europe. The Radziwills, one of the richest families of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, owned the estate from 1533. In 1582 Mikolaj Krzysztof Radziwill began a square three-storey palace on top of an older castle, and it became one of the main residences of the Commonwealth. The site was sacked and neglected several times, then fully restored between 2004 and 2012. You see a palace with pale yellow walls, red roofs and a clock tower, ringed by green earthen ramparts and water-filled moats. A stone bridge over the water leads in, and inside are a wide courtyard and furnished halls. Ponds and large parks around it are good for walking. It is about 95 km from Minsk in a straight line, and about 29 km from Mir Castle. The parks are open for walking, and the ticket is for the palace. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Belarus, so read the current advice before any planning.
Over the moat.
Over the gate.
Around the palace.
Nesvizh, Minsk region, Belarus
The Radziwill family, from 1533.
Yes, the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Belarus.