On the map: Museum-Estate of Tadeush Kostyushko

Apart from the fact that he is a national hero of Belarus, Tadeush Kostyushko is also an honorary citizen of France. The highest point on the Australian continent and a town in the USA are named after him. More than 200 monuments in the world are erected in his honour.

On February 4, 1746 in the outlying estate of Merechevshchina near the small town of Kossovo, Tadeush Kostyushko was born. Nowadays, a memorial museum-estate is located here, where one can find out what the daily life of the belarusian gentry was like and, of course, the biography of one of the most outstanding belarussians - Tadeush Kostyushko.

On 24 September, 2004 the estate was solemnly opened for visitors. This is a new building. The old one, where Tadeush was born, burned down during the Great Patriotic War. Nothing was left from it, even its foundation was hidden under a layer of earth. However, in 2001 the archaeologists discovered the foundation and basements of the building. It was renovated according to the draft by Napoleon Orda, a polish-lithuanian arts worker.

The archeological excavations allowed to get a lot of authentic material: articles of iron, coins and pottery. Parts of rubble masonry and tiles made of ceramics with an unusual for that time decorative pattern were found. All of this was used to restore the museum.

Now the estate is a two-storey house covered with a reed roof; there are 8 rooms. The memorial part includes a hall, a kitchen, a living room for the reception of guests, a mother's room and a father's office. It has been reconstructed according to the model of gentry's house and furnished with the articles from the 18th and 19th centuries. The historical part contains archeological materials, coins, medals and banknotes with the portrait of the hero. The coat of arms and the family tree of the Kostyushko's family. There are copies of drawings by Tadeush, which he created while studyin at the French Academy of Fine Arts.

The area of the museum comprises 200 square meters and 6 exhibitions. There are 431 exhibits in it. There one can find the coals collected by the locals after a fire. There is also a collection of postage stamps, as well as a copy of Kostyushko's sabre.

It's possible to buy souvenirs here, listen to some lectures or take part in the "Night of Museums". Every year on 4 February the birthday of the famous belarusian is celebrated. Visitors can have a look at the halls of the museum, enjoy lectures for scholars and young people absolutely free of charge, and watch an 18-minute film sponsored by UNESCO. Since 2009, marriage ceremonies have been allowed on the territory of the museum.

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