Smolyany. White Kovel Castle.

At the time of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, there were about a hundred castles in Belarus. Castles were private and state. In the town of Smolyany in the 17th century, the local magnates of Sangushki built a brick residence in the then fashionable Renaissance architectural style. Since the Sangushki were the owners of the castle in Kovel, in Ukraine, the castle was sometimes called White Kovel. The castle was built near the Adrovka stream and was surrounded by a defensive moat that was filled with water. And until now, in rainy weather, it happens that you can't get to the castle. The water line still protects the castle. Semyon Sangushka builds his castle at the beginning of the 17th century.

The castle was rectangular in plan and had an arched gate – an entrance in the form of a tower. A five-story tower was built near the entrance gate, which was a towering dominant. The decor and ornamentation of the window openings, according to archaeologist Mihas Tkachev, indicates a stylistic connection with Western European architecture. The frame - the cartouche of the five-story tower - has survived to our time, which indicates the Dutch architectural influence. Inside the tower was a spiral staircase. In the 17th century, at the end of his life, Prince Sangushka ordered frescoes on religious subjects to be made. The castle was destroyed many times during the wars. But he recovered. Decline began at the end of the 18th century. And in the middle of the 19th century, the new owner Semyonov sold the castle for bricks.

Now the castle is in ruins, but its remains impress us with their grandeur and beauty. There is also a local legend here - a legend, as in every decent castle... The legend of the White Virgin, who appears near the castle during fogs in white clothes. According to one of the versions, this is the ghost of Queen Bona Sforza, who owned Smolany for some time in the 16th century.