Nesvizh Castle

Nesvizh Castle, in central Belarus, was for centuries the magnificent seat of the Radziwiłł family, one of the most powerful noble dynasties of Eastern Europe, and is today a UNESCO World Heritage site. This elegant palace-fortress, rebuilt over generations in Renaissance and Baroque style, stands amid a beautiful complex of ornamental lakes, bastions and landscaped parkland. Its restored interiors, with their grand halls, portraits and period rooms, evoke the wealth and culture of its princely owners, while the surrounding gardens make for lovely walks. Together with the nearby family church, it is one of the grandest and most graceful stately residences in the region.

What you actually see

• The palace - the elegant Renaissance and Baroque residence.
• The grand halls - the restored interiors and princely rooms.
• The parks and lakes - the ornamental gardens and waters.
• The Corpus Christi Church - the historic Radziwiłł family church.

When to go

May to September is loveliest, when the ornamental parks and lakes around the palace are in full leaf and bloom for walks between visits to the interiors; the palace is elegant year-round, and its grounds are pretty in autumn colour too. Warm, clear days best show off the reflections in the lakes.

Honest expectations

Nesvizh's interiors are handsomely restored rather than original throughout, and the palace draws domestic tour groups, so the grand halls can be busy at peak times. As the UNESCO World Heritage seat of the mighty Radziwiłł dynasty, set amid beautiful lakes and parkland, though, Nesvizh Castle is one of the grandest and most graceful residences in Eastern Europe.

Nearby

Mir Castle lies close by, and the two are often visited together.