Nesvizh Castle has beautiful and harmonic combine of medieval architectural features, styles of late Renaissance, the Baroque and original stylish research of local masters.
In 1580/81 Prince Nickolay (Nicholas) Radziwil nicknamed Sirotka (orphan) gave an order to erect "stone follower of the newest style" instead of existing wooden building.
Building of a new castle was entrusted to Italian architect Jan Maria Bernardoni. Nickolay Radziwil was so confident in talent of the architect that even went for pilgrimage to Palestine leaving building works to Bernardoni's discretion.
Nesvizh castle was founded on a hill on the right bank of the Usha river. Being circled with water the castle was in fact an island as the only road to it led through a long wooden bridge which could be easily disassembled in case of danger. The road led then to a moat with a lifting bridge over it. The bridge in its turn led to a massive two-storeyed stone gate.
This way the deep circle moat filled with water from the ponds, a high (up to 20 meters) piled up rampart and other fortifications converted the castle into unassailable fortress. The building had been planned according to ancient Italian system featuring an earthen rampart instead of front wall with prominent bastions strengthened with stones. In XVII century these bastions were armed with more than 100 cannons.
In the old days Nesvizh castle was supposed to be one of the strongest and most developed estates in Belarus. Through all the times there was a large garrison in the castle while defenders never felt shortage of guns. So the castle defended from invaders successfully until 1706 when troops of Sweden king Carl XVII stormed the castle after a long siege, ravaged it and blew up its mighty bastions.
Nesvizh Castle should be appreciated as a center of medieval arts. It was Nesvizh where in 1562 the first book printed in the Belarusian language was published (Catechism by Simeon Budny). Prince's archives which were very extensive and rich in relics contained the most valuable historic documents including the original of Act of Lublin Unia. Radziwil Tcherny (Radziwil the Black) got the right to keep state archives of Great Principality of Lithuania as far as in 1551. Chambers and halls of the palace comprised about 100 portraits while the library contained more the 20,000 books. At the same time the palace boasted the gallery of paintings, waxworks of many famous persons made from life, faience sculptures of ancient philosophers manufactured by Prince's factories, antique, gold and silver bullion and jewelry, crystal, Egyptian mummies, the collections of ancient arms, hunter and knight clothes, belts from ancient city of Slutsk etc.
To complete the description of the castle we should mention picturesque Nesvizh parks. One of them Ozeryna Park (Lake Park) or Old Park had been laid out behind Northern rampart on the right bank of Diky Pond (Wild Pond). The park was remarkable for its numerous beautiful avenues such as lime tree, hornbeam and maple trees.
Zamkovy Park (Castle Park) or Park of Anthony was famous first of all for its rare diversity of exotic plants. The most remarkable object the visitors are usually interested in is a small yard possessing numerous secret underground ways. According to legends the ways led not only to Cathedral Church but also to Mirsky Castle which was situated more than 30 km away!
In 2006 the Nesvizhsky palace and park complex is included in the List of the World cultural heritage of UNESCO. In 2004 in the Nesvizhsky lock restoration works began.
In June, 2011 after active restoration works the Nesvizhsky palace opened again the doors for visitors. In the adjacent territory of the palace the set of parks in the XIX century style are based. Here it is possible to walk on the linden avenue or to visit a museum complex.
About infinite riches Radzivillov, still, legends go. In spite of the fact that after revolution all values from the lock were taken out, in the people say that treasures are buried somewhere near the palace.