Azure arcades, the facade portico, multi-level dungeons and a front gate in the shape of a triumphal arch — this all what has remained of the grandeur of the past.

 

They say the multi-level dungeons have underground passages leading to Bereza, Kossovo, Slonim, while the dungeons themselves are so deep that candles go out because of the shortage of oxygen. 

 

Ruzhany keeps the Sapega Family bowl. Made of rock crystal, the vessel holds over three litres of wine. The bowl was used to treat kings and great counts.

 

Initially, the Sapega Family residence was more like a rough citadel than a refined palace. The two-storied building was reinforced by three towers, while in the dungeons they kept an impressive military arsenal, food supplies and the archives.

 

Later they built a chapel at the cementery near the castle.

 

The internecine wars between Belarusian counts in the late 17^th century would put Ruzhany to the verge of decline. In the fall of 1700 the mercenary troops of the Sapega Family were severely beat in a bloody battle with a 20,000-strong army of the local landlords. The rebels would loot Ruzhany and destroy the castle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the spring of 1706 during the Northern War when Swedish King Carl XII he entered Ruzhany he was very much surprised to see the place robbed, with absolutely no prospects of looting for his own troops.

The crippled towers were dismantled, and a portico was added onto the major facade. The entrance gate was decorated with sculptures and bas-reliefs.

In punishment for the Sapega Family’s participation in the 1830-1831 revolt against the Russian troops, the Ruzhany mansion was confiscated, unique library and archives moved to Russia.

 

For more than a century the palace had been home to a weaving factory. During WWI the built sustain damage and destruction. The restoration of the 1930s was intercepted by WWII. After the battles of 1944 they opted not to restore the ancient castle walls.

 

The ruins of the castle still tantalize adventurers and fortune hunters. You can still hear legends about gold chests abandoned in the murky dungeons of the castle.