Slonim. The Austeria building.

In the historical center of the city of Slonim, on Sovetskaya Street, at the descent from the former Shopping Square to the Oginsky Canal, there is a building of the former Austeria. The monument was built in the second half of the 18th century in the Baroque style during the time of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, as an inn. The building was originally two storeys high, and later a third floor was added.

By modern standards, it was like a hotel where you could stay and eat, change horses. Austeria was built at the palace of Mikhail Kazimir Oginsky, who at that time was the mayor of the city of Slonim.

M. K. Oginsky (1728 - 1800) was a politician and statesman of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Poet, composer and philanthropist. In the Slonim economy, he created the famous "manor of the muses." In 1768 Oginsky became the Grand Hetman of Lithuania. He built a printing house and several enterprises in Slonim. At his expense, the Oginsky Canal was built, which still exists in Slonim.

The Oginsky Slonim Capella was created, which is the court orchestra of M. K. Oginsky, which existed in Slonim in 1765-1793. The capella worked at the Oginsky Slonim Theater. It performed at church services and balls, and gave concerts.

The Oginsky Theater was founded in 1771 and operated until 1791. Professional singers from Poland, Belarus, Germany and Italy worked in the theater. A ballet and a choir were also created. There was a music school. The school "Department of Ballet Children" was opened, where children were taught reading, writing and dancing.

The Austeria building now houses various establishments, including several shops.