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Mir Castle Complex. Author AltynAsyr. Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Mir Castle Complex

The castle was built as a fortress at the beginning of the 16th century by the order of prince Yuri Ilyinich. Thick brick walls with slits, many towers, a rampart, a moat, and a drawbridge, were all part of the original structure. The building replaced a wooden feudal farmstead, which existed there in the the15th century.

It is located in the town of Mir, in the Karelichy District of Grodno Oblast, 29 kilometers northwest of another World Heritage site, Nesvizh Castle. it is one of the few remaining architectural monuments of the former Polish鈥揕ithuanian Commonwealth in contemporary Belarus.

Mir Castle is an exceptional example of a central European castle, reflecting in its design and layout successive cultural influences (Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance) that blend harmoniously to create an impressive monument to the history of this region.

1. It Is Included In The UNESCO World Heritage List

Since 1997, Mir castle has hosted international meetings at the highest and most diplomatic levels, as well as various congresses, conferences, and, other mass events.

Since 2000, the architectural monument is included in the UNESCO world heritage list. And since 2010, after the opening of the restored castle in December, every summer festivals, tournaments, concerts, shows, TV music marathons. The events also include performances of world stars are held at its walls.

2. The Fortress Still Has Signs Of The Living Style Of The Original Inhabitants

The fortress walls still show visitors an element that resembles a village toilet, only stone, and hanging between the loopholes above the Eastern wall. Thus, the inhabitants relieved themselves without spoiling the 芦atmosphere禄 inside the castle.

And it was a surprise for the enemy in the future, if he wants to sneak up on the castle walls. And during the siege, not only burning pitch could be poured through these holes.

3. The Restaurant Underground The Castle Is Built As A Gothic Structure

On the territory of the castle, there are two modern objects 鈥� a restaurant and a hotel. The Prince’s Court restaurant is a Gothic structure in the castle’s underground, where guests can enjoy national cuisine.

4. There Are Two Theories About The Origin Of The Name Mir

Mir received its name from the word “emir” when the Tatar detachment was in this place. Another version says the name 鈥渕ir鈥� is from the border of Lithuania and Russia.

The castle itself began to be built in the 16th century as the patrimonial residence of the Marshal of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania 鈥� Ylin Ilyinich.

5. The Museum Is Home To Original Paintings and Ancient Artefacts

The Museum of the Mir Castle has a lot of original paintings, pieces of furniture, weapons, and tapestries from the beginning of the mid-18th century, which give comfort to the restored interiors of the main halls: 鈥淒ining room鈥�, 鈥淧ortrait Hall鈥�, 鈥淪enya鈥�.

By the way, not everyone knows that the owner of the castle had his own carved wooden spoon, decorated with gold inserts and precious stones. Interestingly, after the meal, the prince licked the spoon and put it in his boot so that if necessary the cutlery was always at hand.

6. The Inhabitants Also Believed In Superstitions

Today, near the castle there is a picturesque man-made lake. But when a beautiful apple orchard grew up there, Prince Nikolai Svyatopolk-Mirsky, the owner of the estate in Mir, ordered to dig up the lake and cut down the garden.

It was spring, the trees bloomed magnificently, according to popular belief, it was a great sin to cut flowering trees, there would be misfortune and a curse, and they refused to cut the garden. The prince did not want to waste time on national signs, and he hired alien people to cut the garden.

When the lake was being dug out, there wasn鈥檛 even a day without misfortune: many people died, including the son of local witch. According to the legend, this guy’s mother cursed the lake, 鈥淟et this lake take as many souls as many trees in the garden bloomed鈥�, her parting words were.

7. By Building An Underground Passage, The Radziwills Can Be Considered Pioneers Of The Medieval Metro

The most famous legend about the Mir Castle says that in the era of the Radziwills, an underground passage was dug between the Mir and Nesvizh castles.

 They say that a carriage drawn by a troika of horses could freely ride along it. If this legend is confirmed, the Radziwills can be considered the first builders of the medieval metro.

8. The Inhabitants Had Their Own Glass Manufacturing Plant

In the basement, they used to store various drinks. It turns out that the Radziwills had their own glass manufactory. That is why, besides the huge wooden barrels, there were bottles of various fanciful shapes on the shelves.

9. Two Skeletons Were Found During Restoration

During the restoration of the castle, which was carried out under Mikhail Svyatopolk-Mirsky, two skeletons were found at the opening of the floors, later buried by order of the owner in an Orthodox cemetery. According to legend, on New Year’s Eve you can hear the clank of swords, and then a long moan.

10. There Is Also A Small Stone Resembling The Head Of A Lamp

On the south side of the castle, a small stone is clearly distinguished, resembling the head of a ram. It is claimed that if this stone falls, the Mir Castle will collapse to the ground and no one will ever restore it. Now it is difficult to explain the purpose of this mysterious symbol. He could be an image of a holy lamb.

 Among the many legends of Christian origin, there is a legend about God accepting the sacrifice of Abel, who with humble prayer gave his beloved lamb. For thi,s the heavenly light descended upon the sacrifice.