Ruzhany Palace (палац у Ружанах)

Ruzhany Palace

Ruzhany Palace is a ruined residence located near a Ruzhany village in Brest Oblast in Belarus.

 

 

Location: Ruzhany village, Brest Oblast  Map

Constructed: 1770s by Aleksander Michał Sapieha

 

History of Ruzhany Palace

Ruzhany Palace was constructed in 1770s by the orders of rich aristocrat Aleksander Michał Sapieha. Main architect of the extensive Ruzhany residence was Jan Samuel Becker from a German region of Saxony. The complex had its own theatre, orangery and was surrounded by English gardens, quiet popular at the time.

 

The end of Sapieha influence in the region came after they supported a failed Cadet Uprising also known as a November Uprising of 1830- 31. Polish nationalists failed to gain independence from the Russian Empire and anyone who supported them including rich Polish aristocratic families like Sapieha family lost their mansion in Ruzhany. In 1834 the Ruzhany Palace was turned into textile mill and weaving factory once owed by Ari Leib Pines. The mansion was damaged by the fire of 1914 and subsequent World War I. Much of the damage you see today was done during World War II. Retreating German soldiers of the Wehrmach stripped everything they could take with them.

 

Current state of the Ruzhany Palace

Over the years unsupported and heavily damaged Ruzhany Palace began to fall apart. Locals people managed to strip all remaining valuables. Some people even came here with metal detectors in hopes to finds alleged treasures hidden within the walls of the Ruzhany Palace. Some believed that previous owners left their jewels in hopes to return. So far none of their hopes came to fruition. Another popular legend claim that Sapieha family along with their friends from the Puslowski clan dug an underground tunnel to Kosava Castle. This tunnel was rumored to be 25 km long and wide enough for a carriage to pass through. Unfortunately no physical evidence were ever found to support this legend.

 

Today Ruzhany Palace is undergoing massive reconstruction project after decades of neglect. So far Belarus government managed to complete the main gate as well as rooms situated on the outside periphery of the complex.