My second destination in Belarus was Mir, a small laid back village located about 85km southwest of Minsk. There is nothing much in Mir except for an old but famous castle. Mir Castle is a Mir gem as tourists would travel all the way just to visit it so much so Mir has become synonymous with its castle.
Mir Castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and is one of Belarus top attractions. It is a 3-storey castle built with massive fortification, obviously for the purpose of defence. Its construction started during the 15th century and it has undergone many changes in ownership. It was abandoned for half a century and also severely damaged by wars before being restored to its present condition.
Visitors can walk around its external walls to enjoys its majestic facades. There are 5 towers in total.
Construction of the castle began at the end of the 15th century, in Gothic style. The first owner died before the castle was completed and the castle was subsequently extended and reconstructed, first in the Renaissance and then in the Baroque style. This harmonious blend of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture makes Mir Castle one of the most impressive castles in Europe.
The castle is surrounded by a moat but not on all sides.
Towards the southern part is a man-made pond with a serene landscape.
Inside the castle complex is a spacious courtyard.
Visitors can only walk around the courtyard but not allowed access to the first and second floors.
The castle is located in a secluded area without any restaurants or shops in sight. I only saw a couple of make-do stalls on the way out to the parking area.
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