Juryj Ivanavič Illinič began building the castle after the turn of the 16th century, and the Ilinicz dynasty built it. The article gives no more precise start date. In 1568 it passed to Mikalaj Kryštafor Radziwil, called the Orphan, when the dynasty died out. The article describes Belarusian Gothic and late Brick Gothic styles, with Renaissance decoration added under Radziwil.
Five towers surrounded the citadel courtyard, and the citadel walls formed a square 246 feet (75 m) on each side. The site covers 27 hectares (67 acres) and sits 538 feet (164 m) above sea level.
The castle was severely damaged in the Battle of Mir in 1812 and was abandoned for nearly a century. Michail Sviatapolk-Mirski then began rebuilding it to plans by the architect Teodor Bursche. It was damaged again during the German occupation and its housing use from 1944 to 1956. UNESCO inscribed it in December 2000.
Comments