The Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble is one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in Belarus. These days, the unique museum complex in the city center combines the palace of the Rumyantsevs and the Paskeviches, a burial vault chapel, a winter garden, a watch tower, and a magnificent ancient park.
Construction of the palace began in 1777 with the help of notable architects of that time. The palace was inherited by eldest son from Piotr Rumyantsev. However, in 1834, the major military commander Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich became the new owner of the residence.
The new owner reorganized and enlarged the park. The park was expanded with the addition of rare species of trees and plants, and art objects such as captured weapons, marble sculptures and decorative vases. In the richly decorated halls of the palace, the owners organized lavish receptions, balls and festive occasions.
Nowadays, the aristocrats' former residence in Gomel is one of the most visited museums in Belarus. More than 300,000 visitors come here every year. Nearly one hundred exhibitions, events and concerts are organized.
The ground floor of the central part of the palace is a historical reconstruction of the premises of a noble family estate. As in the old times, there is the Hall of Columns, the White Drawing Room, the Red Drawing Room and the Reception Hall. Currently, these halls are the location of balls and concerts, meetings and negotiations attended by leading officials of the state.
The collection of the Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble Museum is one of the richest in the Republic of Belarus. The collection is based on memorial items from the collections of the Rumyantsevs and the Paskeviches. Other most interesting collections of the museum's holdings include: archeological and numismatic collections; iconography and cult objects; even a collection of marine organisms!
The heart of the complex is the 34-hectare park.There are about 5,000 trees on its territory.
In the tower, there is an exhibition entitled “Owners of the Palace of the Rumyantsevs and the Paskeviches in Gomel”. There you can see authentic paintings, sculptures, weapons and personal belongings of the dukes. The Winter Garden has a magnolia, various palms, a coffee tree, a fig tree, a Himalayan jasmine and an avocado. A fan palm, planted back in 1888, is the oldest plant! You can also see colourful aquarium fish, freshwater turtles, decorative furry rabbits and guinea pigs in the Winter Garden.
The “crown jewel” of Gomel, the palace and park ensemble, consistently attracts visitors year after year.
