Shchorsy - is a village of Navahrudak district, Grodno region of Belarus. The main attraction of the village of Shchorsy are fragments of an extensive palace complex with a large park and ponds. Most of the buildings that belonged to the palace and park complex in the village of Shchorsy were built in the second half of the 18th and 19th centuries. Unfortunately, the palace itself, built in 1776, has not survived to this day, only the cellars remained, which at the moment are almost gone underground. In the palace and park ensemble in the village of Shchorsy, in addition to the palace itself, in the 19th century there were many different economic, residential and administrative buildings. Many of these secondary buildings have been preserved to some extent to this day.

For the production of various goods and numerous workshops in the palace and park ensemble in the village of Shchorsy, in the second half of the 19th century a farm yard was built. Despite its purpose, the complex of outbuildings was kept in a very unusual and very memorable castle style. The architectural ensemble of the farmyard in the village of Shchorsy was surrounded by mighty walls, which were crowned by round corner towers. The economic court itself was located away from the main complex of palace buildings. The farm yard in the village of Shchorsy is a very unique and interesting object, it has its own value and attractiveness in the eyes of tourists.

The palace in the village of Shchorsy was partially destroyed during the First World War. Generally speaking, after the First World War in the village of Shchorsy there was already just a manor complex. At the same time, the status of the central building of the complex passed to the former library, which was rebuilt as a residential building and turned into a mansion (we will discuss this library separately later). After the Second World War, the estate complex in the village of Shchorsy was partially abandoned, partially transferred to the ownership of a local agricultural enterprise. The ruins of the palace were finally dismantled on brick in the 1950s. Since then, and up to our time, the estate in the village of Shchorsy is gradually declining.

Until now, only fragments of the manor complex in the village of Shchorsy have survived: a two-story library building; the left palace wing; quarters of service buildings; ruins of forge, stables and other outbuildings. The library building and the left wing are currently in relatively good and strong condition. The quarters of the service buildings, which were used for housing in the second half of the 20th century, and now abandoned, are in a depressing but still holistic state. Most of the outbuildings, including buildings belonging to a separately located economic yard, can now be described as ruins, fortunately, they are still very strong and not bad transmitting the original appearance of the respective buildings.

Today, several surviving buildings of the former palace and park complex in the village of Shchorsy are used by the local administration and a kindergarten. In the library building in the second half of the 20th century the school was located, then the art workshops functioned, and now the library building is empty and gradually begins to collapse. The extensive landscape park in the village of Shchorsy today resembles a wild forest, although in the midst of it there is a sports ground. Cascade system of ponds also does not look too picturesque. It should be noted that there are very definite plans for the complete restoration of the palace and park complex in the village of Shchorsy. For the purpose of restoration, even a special fund has been created and various charity events are regularly held. However, works on restoration, unfortunately, have not yet started.

Nevertheless, even those fragments of the palace and park complex in the village of Shchorsy that can be seen today give an idea of ​​the former greatness of the ensemble, have a certain appeal and can be of interest to tourists. Here, in the village of Shchorsy, in a small square, many old dilapidated buildings are assembled. Walking through these places you can imagine and reflect on how life flowed in the 19th century. Fragments of the manor complex in the village of Shchorsy are a monument of architecture and landscape art of the second half of the 18th - early 19th centuries, as well as an important landmark of Belarus.

We must say a few words about the library that functioned in the village of Shchorsy, at the palace, in the 19th century. The fact is that this library was very rich, it contained over 20 thousands books and many valuable historical and archival documents (ancient manuscripts, manifestos, geographical maps of Belarus, Lithuania and Poland, correspondence and diaries of important historical figures). This library attracted many outstanding people of the 19th century to the village of Shchorsy. Visited this village writers, historians and scientists. Among the most famous guests of the village of Shchorsy, of course we need to mention Adam Mickiewicz, who wrote several poems here. During the First World War, the funds of this library were taken deep into Russia, and later transferred to the University of Kiev.

There is in the village of Shchorsy and another important landmark, namely the Orthodox church of St. Dymitry of Solun. The church in the village of Shchorsy was built in 1776 (simultaneously with the palace). Thus, this temple is very old, and therefore may be of some interest to tourists. Originally, this temple was built as a Uniate church on the spot and replaced with a previously burnt ancient wooden church of the 14th century. Later, with the liquidation of the Union, the temple was transferred to the Orthodox Church. In the 1930s, the church in the village of Shchorsy was badly damaged by the fire, but it was rebuilt.

In the late 1950s, the temple was closed and converted into a sports hall, and then - into a grain warehouse. Even later, the building of the church in the village of Shchorsy was finally abandoned and continued to gradually deteriorate. In 1988, the church was returned to the Orthodox Church and rebuilt. Today, after careful restoration, the church in the village of Shchorsy is in good condition, it is an active temple, an architectural monument of the 18th century and a beautiful monument of the past, a historical and cultural value and an interesting landmark of Belarus.

Sketches of Napoleon Orda, Shchorsy: