Nesvizh castle Photo: Nesvizh castle

Nesvizh castle, the residence of the Radziwill noble family since the XVI century. A stone castle was built for Nicholas Radziwill the Black Dutch architects instead of standing here earlier wooden castle that belonged to the richest magnate Peter Intestine.

In the sixteenth century, the son of mikołaj radziwiłł the Black - Krzysztof radziwiłł the orphan, returning from the Mediterranean, up in the hometown of a big change. It weakens the feudal taxes and invites in the city of merchants and artisans from around the world. The city is growing rapidly, developing science, education, crafts, emerging industry.

Castle becomes an impregnable fortress. It is surrounded by earthworks, digging a wide and deep ditches. The only wooden bridge is designed so that it can be quickly disassembled in the event of an approaching enemy. By the beginning of the Russo-Polish war 1654-67 years the castle had 28 guns. Guns were cast in the Nesvizh castle or brought from other countries. During the war the castle successfully withstood two sieges.

During the Northern war against the Swedes in 1706 the castle was badly damaged. Were destroyed earthworks, blown bastions and cannons and handguns drowned in the ditches that surrounded the castle. After the war, the reconstruction of the castle began in 1720. In 1792, during the war with the Polish confederates, the castle was seized by Russian troops.

In 1812 during the war with Napoleon's troops, the castle owner Dominik Hieronim radziwiłł was on the side of France. After the war in his native castle he comes back. In 1860, the castle was again returned to the princes Radziwill. By this time he unfortunately lost all his treasure, however, new legal owners did not stop. There began a large landscape construction. Parks took more than 90 hectares. Among them were: Castle Park, Old Park, a Japanese garden, a New Park, English Park.

After the outbreak of the Second World war the castle became the refuge of all the aristocrats of the Radziwill family, however, soon the castle was taken by the red Army, Radziwill arrested and taken to Moscow. In 1940, thanks to the intervention of Italian aristocrats, Radziwill was released and allowed to leave the country. During the Nazi occupation, the castle was virtually unaffected. After the war there was a sanatorium KGB.

Now the castle is open to visitors after a major restoration. Everyone can enjoy the beautiful parks, impregnable walls and elegant residence of aristocrats. There are balls, reconstruction of historical battles and jousting tournaments.

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