"Nesvizh - residence of famous Radziwili family" Nesvizh by Raimix

Nesvizh Travel Guide: 9 reviews and 17 photos

Nesvizh is one of the touristy places in Belarus. That is more, it is not far from capital Minsk, making it easy to visit. Nesvizh is known from 13th century, but only in 16th century it became famous, when Lithuanian rich family Radziwilli decided to locate here their residence. By initiative of Radziwilli, the castle, Corpus Christi church was built, park was planted, town was surrounded by walls and gates with towers. City became example how the Western and Eastern styles of architecture could be mixed.

Radziwill (in Lithuanian - Radvila, in Belarusian - Radzivil, Latin - Radvil) is high nobility family, very important for a few centuries for Lithuanian Grand Duchy and later for Lithuanian Grand Duchy and Kingdom of Poland Union. Radziwilly family has got the title of price from the Holy Roman Empire. Family members were very different in significance - let say, Barbara Radziwill (1520-1550) was Queen of Lithuanian Grand Duchy - Poland's Kingdom Union, Karol Stanislaw Radziwill (1669-1719) – Grand Chancellor of Lithuania, Anthony Radziwill (1959-1999) – American filmmaker.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Castle, Corpus Christi church, big park.
Cons:Much of heritage was damaged year by year.
In a nutshell:It is city of former glory, synthesis of East and West European architecture styles.

Last visit to Nesvizh: Oct 2007
Intro Updated Feb 27, 2011
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Reviews (9)

UNESCO site and place of Radziwili family - Nesvizh

UNESCO site and place of Radziwili... Favorites (1)

Belarus has two UNESCO architectural and historical objects - it is Mir and Nesvizh. The ways, why Nesvizh was... more travel advice

Smell of toilet Warnings and Dangers (1)

Near the castle of Nesvizh we found building from bricks – public toilets. It looked quite soviet. There are holes... more travel advice

Amazing Mir castle Off The Beaten Path (1)

Mir castle is another UNESCO World Heritage site in Belarus. Mir castle famous because of mix of different architecture... more travel advice

Towh Hall building and square Things to Do (6)

Nesvizh town hall was built at the end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th century. Now the town hall square is... more travel advice

Comments (6)

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Jim_Eliason Apr 13, 2011 at 8:48 PM

Nice tips!
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HORSCHECK Apr 24, 2010 at 11:22 AM

Raimis, interesting update about the UNESCO site in Nesvizh. Belarus is still on my must visit list.
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ronaldpk Nov 17, 2008 at 1:19 PM

I would like to visit that castle with my Polish friend whose family comes from nearby town of Klecki. Great photos of Polish-Lithuanian-Byelorussian-Ukrainian-Jewish heritage!
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hunterV Feb 28, 2008 at 10:19 AM

Raimundas, you have described a gem of that country here! Thanks!
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yumyum Nov 17, 2007 at 8:26 AM

Excellent page about Nesvizh! I really want to visit Belorus next year.
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bugulma Nov 12, 2007 at 12:20 PM

interesting place. I like the castle views