On the memorable places of the Khreptovich family.

The Khreptovich family is one of the most influential magnate families in the history of Belarus, which has left a deep mark on its cultural and architectural heritage.

Since the 15th century, the Khreptovichi were the largest landowners, and their activities went far beyond the management of estates.

The family reached its peak in the 18th century thanks to Joachim Litavor Khreptovich, an enlightened statesman and the last chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

He was not only a diplomat, but also a true reformer: in his possessions, he was one of the first to abolish serfdom, replacing corvee with chinch, which dramatically increased the productivity of farms.

Joachim was at the origin of the Educational Commission - the first Ministry of Education in Europe, contributing to the dissemination of Enlightenment ideas.

The heritage of the Khreptovichs can be seen in numerous architectural monuments throughout Belarus.

It was with their funds that churches were built or reconstructed in Shchorsy (the Church of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica), Novogrudok (the Cathedral of Saints Boris and Gleb), Vishnevo (the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary) and Grodno (the Church of the Annunciation).

Their main residence was the magnificent palace and park complex in Shchorsy, which had a famous library with a collection of about 20 thousand volumes.

The Khreptovichs owned estates in Beshenkovichi, Vishnevo ("Odrovonzh") and other places, each of which was the center of cultural and economic life.

Their contribution to the history of Belarus is not only the stones of ancient buildings, but also the embodied advanced ideas of their time, which made the family a symbol of enlightened magnate.