Zalesse - is a village of Smarhon district, Grodno region of Belarus. The main attraction of the village Zalesse is a palace and park ensemble and a museum of Michal Kleofas Oginski - the outstanding Belarusian composer. Manor in Zalesse passed into the possession of Michal Kleofas Oginski in 1802, when it consisted of a wooden palace and several outbuildings. In the same year Michal Oginski lived on the estate of Zalesse, where he began to build a new manor with a stone palace. Oginski lived permanently in Zalesse to 1810, from 1810 to 1823 lived here periodically. Construction of the palace was finally completed in 1822. Michal Oginski organized in the estate of musical and literary evenings, where he performed his works. Some historians believe that it was here written and first performed the famous polonaise "Farewell to the Fatherland".

After the death of Oginski manor lost its former glory, and gradually began to crumble. In 1920, the estate has opened a private pension, which with the advent of Soviet power became a sanatorium. During the Great Patriotic War, the estate was used as the headquarters of the Germans. With the onset of peace manor converted into a nursing home. In the 80th years of the 20th century on the basis of the estate planned to organize a sanatorium, but later abandoned those plans. Minimum of work on conservation of the palace were carried out, after which he was transferred to the balance of the Ministry of Culture.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the palace and park ensemble of Oginski in the village Zalesse was in very poor condition. But fortunately, in 2011-2015, there was a large-scale restoration of the complex, and now he is again in excellent condition. Now here is a museum dedicated to the life and work of Michal Oginski. The interior of the museum is unfortunately no furniture, which he enjoyed Michal Oginski. Nevertheless, most of the furniture and other interior items are really old and belong to the 19 th century. Tourists will also be interesting and useful to know that directly in the palace, there is also a small cafe.

In Belarus, unfortunately, survived not so many palaces. In addition, not all of them restored. A palace in the village Zalesse, moreover, that restored and perfectly conveys the atmosphere of the 19th century, so also is a museum dedicated to the great son of the Belarusian people, who lived and worked in these places. Today, the palace and park ensemble in the village Zalesse is undoubtedly a very important architectural monument of the 19th century, a great historical and cultural value and one of the most important attractions of Belarus. There is constantly a lot of satisfied tourists.

The structure of the palace and park ensemble of Oginski in the village Zalesse also includes: Catholic chapel of the Virgin Mary, built in 1815, located right next to the palace; a beautiful park with a small river and a small pond; pavilion called "The Temple of Amelia"; former water mill; and another old outbuilding. Former mill and pavilion significantly rebuilt in the second half of the 20th century, and to some extent lost its original appearance. In addition, at the moment they have not yet fully restored.

Let's say a few words about Michal Kleofas Oginski. He lived for 68 years from 1765 to 1833. There were so many different turbulent events in the life of this man, strong disappointment and great success. He was a diplomat, politician Rzeczpospolita, one of the leaders of the uprising Kosciuszko, honorary member of the Vilnius University, a senator of the Russian Empire. He always remained a true patriot of his homeland. All its activities and the cultural, and political was impregnated with this patriotism.

But in our time, Michal Kleofas Oginski is known mostly as an outstanding Belarusian composer. And indeed, among his political activity, he found time to exercise his creative talent to create great music. As a composer, he is known throughout the world, and some of his works were included in the golden collections of the world of classical music. The most famous was the polonaise "Farewell to the Fatherland", better known as simply "Polonaise of Oginski". Some researchers also attribute Oginski music of the Polish national anthem "Jeszcze Polska nie zginęła".

Now a little about the village itself. Zalesse - this is a very large village, here of course there are shops, and other basic infrastructure elements. Zalesse village located on the railway line Minsk-Vilnius. There is a small railway station. The palace and park ensemble of Oginski in the village Zalesse can be very enjoyable and informative to spend some time, so this village is very popular among travelers. Her visit is included in many tourist and excursion routes.