In ancient times, it was fashionable to build large and beautiful estates at some distance from the city. One of the most striking examples in Belarus is Oginsky Manor, which is located in the agricultural town of Zalesye. The estate belonged to the politician and composer Mikhail Oginsky, who is known throughout the world as the author of the polonaise "Farewell to the Homeland."
Oginsky Manor (Belarus)
In the town of Zalesye (Republic of Belarus) there is a manor that has been under construction since 1802. The construction was completed twenty years later. The estate is included in the list of historical and cultural values of Belarus and stands on the banks of the Dry River.
Unfortunately, not all the buildings that were part of the complex were able to survive, but in 2011 a major restoration was started. So, for example, in 2014, the Oginsky Palace was solemnly and re-opened. In 2015, work began in park areas, in the future it is planned to open a museum and cultural center.
The composition of the estate
To better imagine Oginsky Manor, it is necessary to describe what it consists of:
- The palace itself, the construction of which was completed in 1822.
- Large park complex.
- The Catholic chapel, which was built in 1815, and was restored in the 20s of the last century.
- Water mill, also built in the 19th century.
- Barn of the XIX century.
- The pavilion "Temple of Amelia" of the XIX century.
All this can be seen if you visit the estate, going to the town of Zalesie.
History
The Lithuanian-Belarusian princely and noble family of Oginsky originates from Prince Dmitry Glushonka. They began to own the Zalesye estate long before the birth of Mikhail Oginsky, in the 18th century.
When Oginsky's estate was inherited from Uncle Frantisek Xavier by Mikhail, it consisted of a wooden palace and several buildings for household purposes. In 1802, after the Kosciuszko uprising, Mikhail returned to the Russian Empire and began to build a new stone estate. For eight years, he constantly lived in Zalesye, and then for more than 10 years periodically stayed in this place. The author of the project was Mikhail Schulz, and Joseph Putier led the entire construction.
When the palace was built, a park in the English style was laid out nearby, a chapel, several gazebos and bridges, pavilions were also built. It is interesting that in the park for a more complete picture, a lake was equipped, which was filled with water from two rivers, Bobrinka and Ruditsa, flowing throughout the park.
Some of these buildings can be seen today, some of them were rebuilt and restored, while others were almost completely restored.
Why is Oginsky's estate named after Mikhail? What was the Polish prince so famous for on the territory of Belarus?
Michal Oginsky was a composer, diplomat and politician, a senator of the Russian Empire. For several years he was actively involved in politics, was the confidant of Alexander I. He created the well-known work "Oginsky Polonaise", and many think that it was written in this estate.
In the city of Molodechno, in Belarus, a monument to Mikhail Oginsky was erected, the College of Music bears his name, and there are also several streets in different cities named after him.
After the death of Mikhail Oginsky, the estate was inherited by his sons. But he did not begin to live there, but leased the estate. Unfortunately, the palace and the park began to gradually collapse, since they were not properly cared for. Then the estate was inherited by the daughters, and those, in turn, already sold it in parts.
During the years of Soviet rule, Zalesye was first used as a holiday home for residents of Minsk. In 1961, it was transformed into a nursing home, and in 1977 it passed into the possession of a silicate plant, which was planning to create a dispensary here, but since there were no financial resources, this idea was not realized. Only after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Oginsky Manor became subordinate to the Belarusian Ministry of Culture. It was then that it was planned to create a museum of Mikhail Kleofas Oginsky in this place , and in the future a school for children. But to implement the plan was difficult due to the economic crisis in the 90s, but gradually the ideas still began to be implemented.
Exposition
You can see the estate not only from the outside, but also from the inside, looking at the presented expositions. The entire exhibition is located in 13 rooms, where you can get acquainted with the life and various activities of Mikhail Oginsky.
For example, there is an interesting hall in the Oginsky estate in Zalesye called “Oginsky Music”, where musical instruments of the 19th century are presented, or the Zalesye hall where you can get acquainted with the history of this place and the owners of this estate from the Oginsky clan.
In addition to these halls, there is also a “Fireplace Hall”, where portraits of people from the clan are hung and the hall “Cabinet of MK Oginsky”, where he did his work, met with politicians and statesmen.
There are also such rooms as the Small Living Room and the Large Living Room, the Entrance Hall in Front of the Large Living Room, the Billiard Room, where there is not only a table, but also furniture of that time, as well as the Orangery and Orangery hall. "where guests can grab a bite to eat and have tea or coffee.
How to get to the estate
If you consider the question of where Oginsky Manor is located in more detail, you should know that the village is located 12 km from Smorgon, near the Molodechno railway station, or from Minsk 90 km in the north-west.
You can get to the estate both by private car, having studied the detailed map on the official website, and by rail, or rather on trains that stop at Molodechno station. Then you can walk, which takes 15-20 minutes.
Opening hours and cost
The museum Oginsky estate is open daily except Monday. To get there, you need to purchase an entrance ticket, the ticket office closes at 17.30. You should also clarify the schedule of the museum on pre-holidays and holidays, when the museum may be closed.
The ticket price can be different, depending on what you would like to see or hear. For example, an independent visit for adults, the ticket price will be 4 Belarusian rubles, for schoolchildren, students and senior citizens - 3 rubles. If you take a sightseeing tour, a group of no more than 25 people, then the cost will be 10 Belarusian rubles.
The estate hosts a lot of interesting events, such as theater tours, lectures, museum classes, and each direction has its own cost, which should be found out on the museum website, at the box office or by phone.
Services
The services at the Oginsky Manor Museum in Zalesie are very diverse, and they should be described separately.
- A simple visit to the museum, where at the entrance you need to pay for a ticket and go for a walk in this wonderful place.
- Excursions, where the representative of the museum will tell very interestingly the history of the appearance of this place, when and how the estate was built, what was on the territory except the palace, and what old things and documents can be seen.
- Theatrical excursions - in order to feel the atmosphere and feel the spirit of that time, go back to the 19th century, you should definitely go to one of them.
- Guest room and coffee house - from recent times on the estate you can stay in the guest room, where you can even spend the night. For those who are hungry, open cafe, which is located in the summer greenhouse.
- Museum classes for schoolchildren, which consist of two lessons - “Following the tracks of Oginsky”, “The order of Oginsky to the son of Ireneus.”
- Holding a wedding celebration and photo session in the estate. A solemn wedding in a historical place with a luxurious interior is a magical event that will be remembered not only by the newlyweds, but also by the guests.
Oginsky estate: photos and reviews
The best way to get to know the estate is to personally go to this wonderful place where you can have a good rest, touch the history of the 19th century, learn something new for yourself, take photographs as a keepsake.
According to the reviews that visitors to the estate leave, you can understand that this is an interesting place where you can have a good time.