On the map: The Loshitsa manor and park complex

Today we'll go to the Loshitsa manor and park complex, which is one of the landmarks of the city of Minsk. Many people compare it with Nesvizh, but if Nesvizh Castle is associated with the Radziwills, it is impossible to associate the Loshitsa estate with only one name. Its owners, who have been prominent members of the princely and noble families for almost 400 years, have changed the appearance of the estate several times. The manor has had its final appearance during the period of Eustaphy Lubansky.

Like the guests of the estate two hundred years ago, you can start your acquaintance with the park from the entrance alley with its magnificent lindens, which were planted at the end of the 18th century by the Prushinsky family. According to the local legend, its entire marvellous alley was laid out with stones.

At the entrance to the park, next to the gate, there is the gatekeeper's lodge, and just to the side, the half-ruined walls of the old Kaplitsa (This is a small structure or separate room in the temple for a private altar, prayers and storage of relics). The Kaplitsa is the oldest building in the park, dating back to the time of the Prushinsky family. It was used both as a  sanctuary and a family burial vault. Once there were  wall painting and organ music was played inside.

A pretty building with a wooden tower near the manor house is the manor annex. Here the servants lived, worked, prepared and stored food for the owners and guests of the manor. Currently, the “Wheel of Time” (“Wheel of Time” – objects of material culture of Minsk and its suburbs of the late 19th - first half of the 20th centuries) project is on show here.

The “Loshitsa Manor Museum” is located on the territory of the complex. Its halls recreate the atmosphere of secular life of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The restored interiors of the 19th century, tile stoves and stucco decoration, antique furniture and pieces of art from private collections and from the “Minsk City History Museum” can be seen here. The large and small drawing rooms, ballroom, cabinet, pantry, dining room and sofa room look as if they were during the lords' lifetime. The ballroom was used for receptions, and even for theatrical performances, where the roles were performed by the hostess herself. Now it is also used for musical and literary salons.

By the way, there is even a ghost here. A tragedy happened in Loshitsa – the young mistress of the manor, pani Yadviga, drowned (The word “Pani” means a polite address to a married woman in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus). On the spot where she died, Eustaphy Lubansky planted a Manchurian apricot, which, unfortunately, has not been preserved to this day. They say that when the apricot blossoms, the ghost of the dead mistress of the manor can be seen in the park alleys.

Loshitsa Park is one of the most beautiful and mystical parks in Minsk. Two hundred-year-old trees, an amphitheatre, a clock square, a mill, a distillery, an apple orchard... What's more, the park has many bicycle paths and marvellous glades with arbours where you can spend your leisure time. As well as being historic, it's a picturesque place to take a walk at any time of year!