The Kozell-Poklevsky Palace and Park Complex

It is first mentioned in the annals of the 16th century, but its prime came in the 19th century. For a long time, Krasny Bereg belonged to various representatives of noble families. In the second half of the 19th century, the estate was bought by a military engineer named Mikhail Gatovsky. By his order, a large mansion was built in the shape of the letter "G", in honor of the owner's surname. The design was created by the St. Petersburg architect V. Shroeter.

Gatovsky wished for the mansion to look intriguing and unusual. Therefore, the architectural appearance of the manor combined several styles, including the Moorish style, which is uncommon for the region. Asymmetrical shapes, tower tents, eclectic decor, a shingled roof on the mansard, and an arch decorated with gargoyles made the house resemble a colorful fairytale palace.

Gatovsky's house had 36 rooms, the interiors of which also varied in style. The interior decoration used gold leaf, molding, wood, and ceramics. Nearby utility buildings were erected, including a stable, a side house, warehouses, and a distillery. An English landscape park surrounded the mansion.

Eventually, Mikhail Gatovsky decided to gift the palace and park complex to his daughter Maria, who was married to the Russian entrepreneur and public figure Vikenty Kozell-Poklevsky.

After the revolutionary events of 1917, the Kozell-Poklevsky family moved to Poland and never returned to Belarus. The estate was confiscated by the state. The Soviet authorities opened an agricultural school in the manor, and other buildings were repurposed as warehouses, workshops, and student dormitories.

During the Great Patriotic War, the palace and park complex was used by the Germans as a hospital, so the estate buildings did not suffer from destruction. During the war, a children's concentration camp was located in the settlement itself. Here, children were kept and used as blood donors for German soldiers. Later, in 2007, a monument to the children who died during the war was erected near the estate.

The Kozell-Poklevsky Manor after Restoration

In the 1990s, a decision was made to restore the manor complex in Krasny Bereg. The work lasted almost 20 years and was completed in 2015. Restorers managed to restore not only the exterior of the mansion but also the interiors of the building – the halls, offices, living rooms, and master bedrooms. Furniture and artifacts from the era were collected from various funds and private collections to furnish the house.

Today, the manor houses a museum, and the former annex of the Kozell-Poklevsky family now serves as the administration of the Krasny Bereg Agricultural College. Exhibitions, festivals, and cultural events are held in the former noble estate. Both organized tours and independent tourists come here. The Kozell-Poklevsky estate is part of the tourist route "Golden Ring of Gomel Region." When you visit the palace and park complex in Krasny Bereg, you will be inspired by the unusual combination of architectural styles, appreciate the original artistic taste of its owners, and immerse yourself in the spirit of 19th-century noble life.

From Minsk, you can reach Krasny Bereg by private car – the journey takes about two and a half hours. Another option is to take a train to Zhlobin, then a bus or a local train to the Krasny Bereg station. The manor itself is within walking distance from the station.