Golshany Castle

The settlement of Golshany is first mentioned in ancient documents in the 13th century. At that time, there was a castle built by Prince Golsha. Until the beginning of the 16th century, the wooden structure served as the residence of the Golshany clan. After the death of the last male representative of the Golshany clan, the castle passed into the possession of Pavel Sapieha, whose wife was Princess Elena Golshanskaya. Sapieha decided to move the princely residence to the left bank of the Golshanka River, which was then called Lusta. Thus, in the first half of the 17th century, the history of Golshany Castle began.

The composition of the stone structure was reminiscent of the Mir Castle. It was a closed rectangular structure with corner towers. Although the castle was built for defensive purposes, the towers did not perform a protective function – they were equipped with large windows, and living rooms were located inside. At the same time, the structure was fortified with ramparts and surrounded by moats with water.

During its heyday, the castle in Golshany was one of the most beautiful and majestic castles in Belarus. The Sapiehas spared no expense for the arrangement of the residence. The interior and exterior decoration of the building fully reflected the grandeur and power of the noble clan. Windows facing the courtyard were adorned with colorful stained glass. Ceilings and fireplaces were decorated with stucco, and floors were laid with mosaic. The palace had water supply and sewerage systems, and a heating system was installed. Huge basements housed supplies of provisions, weapons, a stable, rooms for servants. The territory around the castle was adorned with picturesque artificial ponds.

After the death of Pavel Sapieha, the residence passed to his cousin. During the Northern War in the early 18th century, the castle was severely damaged and began to fall into disrepair. In the 19th century, the owner of the former Sapieha estate, a Russian landlord named Gorbanev, demolished part of the walls to make money by selling bricks. After World War II, locals dismantled the remaining parts of the building for use in the construction of collective farm buildings.

Golshany Castle Today

Today, only two towers and part of the north-western wall remain of Golshany Castle. Currently, restoration works are being carried out. Experts are doing everything possible to preserve what remains of the once majestic residence. Restorers have successfully restored the North Tower, which now houses a museum. Its exhibits inform visitors about the history of Golshany, the castle's architecture, and the lives of its former inhabitants. The tower's upper tier features an observation deck, offering views of the small town's natural beauty.

Mystical legends hold a special place in the life of Golshany Castle, adding mystery and romance to this place:

• About the White Panna – a young girl allegedly walled up in the monastery walls. They say her ghost is often seen by the castle staff and visitors.
• About the Black Monk – a young commoner with a tragic fate, whose shadow roams the castle galleries at night.
• About the old mill – despite the fact that only walls remain of the structure, locals claim that at night you can hear the neighing of horses, people talking, and the creaking of millstones coming from it.
• About the secret underground passages and treasures hidden underground.

Musical evenings, medieval festivals, dramatized programs, and quest games for children and adults are held within the walls of Golshany Castle. Excursions are offered to visitors, and there's also a souvenir shop showcasing works by Belarusian artisans. Additionally, a bicycle parking area is available.

When visiting Golshany, remember to explore other local attractions, such as the 16th-century Franciscan church, the Orthodox Church of Saint George, market rows, and historical buildings from the 19th century. Golshany can be reached from Minsk by regular bus or minibus. For those traveling by car, drive towards Grodno via Rakov and Krevo.