On the map: Nesvizh Palace and Park Complex

The Nesvizh Palace and Park Complex with its diverse architecture and largest landscape park is the most beautiful place in Belarus and one of the country's most outstanding attractions.

The Nesvizh palace and park ensemble is surrounded by the ponds of the Usha River. It is a magnificent stone castle with luxurious interiors, castle fortifications, a large landscape park with sculptures and beautiful reservoirs. The palace was famous for its massive bastion fortifications, huge library, elegant art gallery, unique items of value and real treasures.

In the first half of the 16th century, ownership belonged to the family Radziwill, one of the most powerful and richest. The idea to build a stone castle belongs to Nikolai Christofor Radziwill “Sirotka” (The Orphan). In 1583 the construction of the Nesvizh Castle began. By the early 16th century the construction works were almost finished. The rampart was up to 20 meters high and was reinforced with stone. Four defensive towers were erected at the corners of the bastions.

By early 1770 the castle library contained about 20,000 printed volumes. It was the largest private library. The picture gallery contained 984 paintings.

The palace and castle ensemble was built and rebuilt during three centuries. It combines the techniques of medieval architecture with late Renaissance, Baroque and Classicism styles and the original art of local craftsmen.

At the end of the 19th century, the magnificent architecture of Nesvizh Castle was complemented by its picturesque natural surroundings: beautiful parks and alleys, graceful statues and blue ponds. The alleys here were planted from saplings and seeds that were brought from the garden of the Radziwill princes' palace in Berlin.

In 1993, the National History and Culture Museum-Reserve was established in Nesvizh, which also includes the castle. In 2005, the palace and park complex was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Nesvizh castle and park with its decorative lakes and shady alleys covering a total area of 100 hectares. It is a most beautiful palace and park ensemble in Belarus which attracts a lot of tourists. From the outside, the palace always looks very romantic: a monumental building with harmonious towers of various sizes is hidden in the greenery of the trees. The water in the ponds and the bright greenery of the landscaped castle complete the picturesque view of the palace and castle complex.