BREST, 6 December (BelTA) - Archaeologists have discovered fragments of a building foundation dating back to the era of Lew Sapieha in the town of Ruzhany, director of the Ruzhany Palace Complex Yelena Kubarko told BelTA.
“Currently, another phase of the restoration is underway. It primarily involves the installation of utility lines to the theater wing. One day, construction workers discovered fragments of a building foundation. When archaeologists arrived, they studied the brickwork and concluded that these are most likely fragments of buildings that existed on Lew Sapieha's estate. They were adjacent to the palace,” Yelena Kubarko explained.
Lew Sapieha began constructing the defensive castle in Ruzhany in 1602. Historical records indicate that alongside the castle, there were three other estates: a large, a small, and a medium one. “The archaeologists have most likely stumbled upon fragments of one of these structures,” Yelena Kubarko suggested. “This is a unique discovery. Essentially, until now, we didn't know the exact location of the estate, what comprised it, or its boundaries. We knew the main palace building stands on the site of the defensive castle, and that was it. This discovery gives us an idea of just how large the estate was. Further research may reveal the nature of these buildings. Most likely, this excavation proves that Ruzhany was primarily situated at the foot of the castle.”
The restoration of Ruzhany Palace began in 2008. Since then, the central entrance gate has been renovated; the side wings (which now house a museum) and the northeastern arcade have been restored. External restoration work on the two-story Eastern (Theater) Wing has been completed. Plans are underway to set up a museum space, a storage facility for collections, a multifunctional hall, a hotel, and a café in this wing.
Lew Sapieha was a prominent political, public and military figure. He held high-ranking positions in the Grand Duchy of Litva (Lithuania) serving as its Chancellor and Grand Hetman. One of the wealthiest and most influential magnates of the duchy, he is also known as a patron of the arts.
“Currently, another phase of the restoration is underway. It primarily involves the installation of utility lines to the theater wing. One day, construction workers discovered fragments of a building foundation. When archaeologists arrived, they studied the brickwork and concluded that these are most likely fragments of buildings that existed on Lew Sapieha's estate. They were adjacent to the palace,” Yelena Kubarko explained.
Lew Sapieha began constructing the defensive castle in Ruzhany in 1602. Historical records indicate that alongside the castle, there were three other estates: a large, a small, and a medium one. “The archaeologists have most likely stumbled upon fragments of one of these structures,” Yelena Kubarko suggested. “This is a unique discovery. Essentially, until now, we didn't know the exact location of the estate, what comprised it, or its boundaries. We knew the main palace building stands on the site of the defensive castle, and that was it. This discovery gives us an idea of just how large the estate was. Further research may reveal the nature of these buildings. Most likely, this excavation proves that Ruzhany was primarily situated at the foot of the castle.”
The restoration of Ruzhany Palace began in 2008. Since then, the central entrance gate has been renovated; the side wings (which now house a museum) and the northeastern arcade have been restored. External restoration work on the two-story Eastern (Theater) Wing has been completed. Plans are underway to set up a museum space, a storage facility for collections, a multifunctional hall, a hotel, and a café in this wing.
Lew Sapieha was a prominent political, public and military figure. He held high-ranking positions in the Grand Duchy of Litva (Lithuania) serving as its Chancellor and Grand Hetman. One of the wealthiest and most influential magnates of the duchy, he is also known as a patron of the arts.
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