First mentioned in chronicles and archives in the 15^th century, the small town on the bank of the River Zapadnaya Dvina was owned by the Sapiegas, the Oginskis and the Khreptovichis. Russian Tsar Peter I would visit the place three times, while Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812 and Tsar Alexander in 1821 would stay at the local palace. The building has survived until the present moment, however time had no mercy on it.

 

After the death of Vilnius’ influential commander Kazimierz Dominik Oginski, Beshenkovichi once again became another master’s property — that Joachim Ignati Khreptovich, the Chancellor of the Great Duchy of Lithuania. It was he who completed the palace construction project, which was started by the Oginskis.

 

The palace included three buildings: a two-storied central one, where all major rooms and halls were located, and two one-level wings used for residential purposes.

 

The central part of the building is complete with a balcony that witnessed French Emperor Napoleon speaking to his troops.

 

In the summertime, the central façade of the building was all covered with wild vines.

 

Not far away from the palace there used to be a hothouse for flowers and household facilities (some of them have survived until the present time). There also used to be a park with lime, poplar, birch, chestnut, maple, ash and oak alleys, a swan pond and moon-shaped pond with cemented bottom that was regularly cleaned.

 

There is an ancient oak growing in the park, which over 300 hundred years old. Chronicles say in July 1812 Napoleon would set up camp under that oak tree. The Napoleon Oak is under state protection as a monument of nature.

 

The park also saw the Russian army’s victory parade welcomed by Tsar Alexander I in person. It is worth mentioning that the Russian tsar was accommodated in the same room of the palace as Napoleon.

 

There used to be a mill in the park that is now home to Belarus’ only horse-riding harness producing workshop.

 

 

 

photo: http://globus.tut.by