Description of the attraction
The palace of the Masalsky princes was built in Grodno in the first half of the 18th century. A smaller copy of Kamenitsa Masalski was built not far from the palace.
It is known that originally the palace was built in the shape of the letter "U" in the plan. The fires of 1753 and 1782 severely damaged the building. After the fires, it was rebuilt practically from scratch. Later alterations made during renovations were made to its architecture.
The family of the Masalsky princes was very ancient and influential. The Masalskys took part in the fateful decisions that changed the policy of the states. Monarchs, politicians, statesmen listened to their opinion.
The last prince from the Masalsky family to own this magnificent palace was Yakub Ignacy Masalsky. The last prince of a famous family had a sad and terrible death - he was hanged by the rebels in 1794. Jakub Ignacy was a visionary man. He believed that the crumbling decrepit state system of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was unable to defend the integrity of the state. He saw the future of his country as part of the mighty Russian Empire, which contradicted the freedom-loving aspirations of the national movements of that turbulent time.
After the death of Prince Yakub Ignacy Masalsky in 1795, his palace was rebuilt. He acquired the more fashionable features of classicism in those years.
In the 30s of the XIX century, the Masalsky Palace was bought by a wealthy Jewish merchant Frumkin. He signed a lucrative contract with the Post Office and leased the building to him until the beginning of the 20th century.
In our time, the Masalsky Palace was chosen by Belarusian filmmakers. The film "Footprints of the Apostles" was filmed here.
