The rout: Minsk –Zalieśsie – Smarhon – Soly – Kušliany – Minsk.

Length: 300 km.

Duration: 9 hours

Long ago the road from Minsk to Vilnus didn’t go along the Hrodna highway like nowadays. It went through the towns of Maladečna and Smarhoń. The way between the former and contemporary capitals was an important feeder road during many centuries that’s why no wonder that churches were built along this way, the cities grew on it and magnates and gentry tried to build their estates in the near forests. Now the way has lost its former importance but the monuments have remained.

200 years ago not far from the river Vilija the famous composer and diplomat, the representative of the famous magnate clan Mikhael Kleafas Ahinski built his palace. The auhor of the famous polonaise “Farewell to Country” had lived here for 20 years. During this time he wrote many famous musical compositions and also the memoirs of his life. The palace and big park has remained till nowadays and however they are not in a good condition they may tell a lot about the former owners.

The cathedral of St. Archangel Michael of XVI century meets us in Smorgon. Earlier the town was called Smurgony by local people. Unfortunately we will not see the trained bears on the streets. The Smorgon bear academy used to train them. We will also not taste Smorgon doughnuts that brought fame to the town a century ago. But we will tell you about how the bears were trained in the academy and why the doughnuts were so famous.

Not far from Smargoń village Žodziški is situated. The cathedral of XVII century, the palace of XIX century and a hundred-year watermill has preserved there. The watermill began his work again a few years ago. If you are interested in the work of watermills this excursion is for you.

If return from Žodziški to Staravilienski way we will soon arrive to village Soly, where not old but very beautiful cathedral of God’s Mother Ružancova waits for us. The cathedral that is only 70 years old is built in unusual for Belarus baroque revival style and is painted inside by Belarusian artist Peter Sierhijevič.

The last stop of our tour will be in village Kučlyany. The estate of one of the founders of Belarusian literature and the main inspirer of the national movement of the beginning of XX century Francišak Bahuševič has remained in the village. There is a museum inside of the estate now and the beautiful park with the stone in memory of the poet behind it. The grave of Bahuševič is situated in the neighboring village near the cathedral of St. Peter and Pavel in gothic revival style.

Further the Staravilienski way goes to the border and head to the former capital of tha Grand Duchy of Lithuania, but this is another excursion.