!!!Mir Castle
Photos and text by Sergey Shandin,
member of the [AirPano Team|Geography/About/Consortium/AirPano,_Team] that is a member of the [global-geography Consortium|Geography/About/Consortium]. \\

22 March 2018

with kind permission of [AirPano|http://www.AirPano.com]

[{Image src='01_Mir Castle, Belarus.jpg' caption='Mir Castle, Belarus\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='593'}]

Its construction began in 1522 in a place called Mir. There was no aim
to construct a military stronghold as the time was calm, as well as the
location. But the castle was created according to the best fortifying
traditions. Three metre thick walls made of bricks and stones, 25 metres
high towers and military galleries — all these things tell of the
genuine fortifying function of the complex.

[{Image src='02_Mir Castle, Belarus.jpg' caption='Mir Castle, Belarus\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='533'}]

All these features became useful during the following centuries: the
castle was under siege from Polish-Russian Wars through the French
invasion of Russia. The owners were changing, too: the Illinics, the
Radziwills, the Wittgensteins. The Sviatapolk-Mirski family was the last
owner of the castle, then it went under the guidance of the state.

[{Image src='03_Mir Castle, Belarus.jpg' caption='Mir Castle, Belarus\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='330'}]

In the 20th century, the castle has survived two wars: in between, it
was nationalized and a manufacturing artel was functioning within its
walls. During World War II, it was the place of a Jewish ghetto and a
prison camp. Soon after the war, the castle became a shelter for
homeless people. Since 1989, it has housed a subdivision of the
Belarusian National Arts Museum, and in 2000 it became a Unesco World
Heritage Site.

[{Image src='04_Mir Castle, Belarus.jpg' caption='Mir Castle, Belarus\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='600'}]

It's been a long time since I wanted to see the castle with my own eyes.
I observed many photos and illustrations. And here is my chance:
together with my wife and son I'm travelling through Belarus and we
decided to spend some time in the castle. In addition to the museum,
there is a hotel on the territory of the complex with the restaurant
created in chivalrous style. A small park surrounds the castle, there
are also the remnants of a ditch, a pond and a chapel-vault of the
Sviatapolk-Mirski family. The autumn weather is pleasant, the fog can be
seen in the morning. You can have a walk with a baby carriage, enjoy the
architecture and then have a traditional Belarus diner.

[{Image src='05_Mir Castle, Belarus.jpg' caption='Mir Castle, Belarus\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='600'}]

Any castle of this kind has legends. And locals will be pleased to tell
you some of them. "About Sonechka", for example. The legend tells of
Sofia Sviatapolk-Mirski, the White Lady of the Mir Castle that rests in
the vault. People say that one can meet her in the dungeons and
sometimes she visits her friend — the Black Lady of Nesvizh. The legends
also tell of a 30 kilometres long tunnel that connects Mir and Nesvizh
that hides the treasure of the Radziwills. I can't say anything about
either tunnel, or mysterious ladies that we did not meet during our
night walks, but the park is so beautiful at night full of stars.

[{Image src='06_Mir Castle, Belarus.jpg' caption='Mir Castle, Belarus\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='603'}]

The castle often holds knight tournaments, concerts and dance parties.
Although we were not so lucky to visit any of them, we truly enjoyed the
walks in the park and picturesque landscapes. The park is open for
visitors 24/7, and, unfortunately, the illumination of the castle is
turned on for a very short period of time.

[{Image src='07_Mir Castle, Belarus.jpg' caption='Mir Castle, Belarus\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='600'}]

The Mir Castle Complex and the park are very charming in any season, so
when you happen to visit Belarus, we highly recommend you to visit this
place.

[{Image src='08_Mir Castle, Belarus.jpg' caption='Mir Castle, Belarus\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='600'}]

\\ \\
[10 panoramas of Mir Castle|Geography/Europe/Belarus/Pictures/Panoramas_of_Mir_Castle]

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