History of Construction
In the second half of the 18th century, Russian Empress Catherine II granted Gomel to Field Marshal Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev for his outstanding services to the homeland. It was he who decided to build a luxurious palace in the city, worthy of a noble family. The presumed architect of the project is Ivan Starov, the creator of the Tauride Palace and the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. However, there are also versions that the project was carried out by Yakim Alekseev and Yuri Felten.
In 1834, Prince Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich acquired the palace for 800,000 rubles and began its large-scale reconstruction. The architect Adam Idzkowski made significant changes to the architecture of the complex, adding a four-tiered tower 32 meters high, creating spacious ceremonial halls, and decorating the palace in the spirit of late classicism. Later, a picturesque park with rare plants, an artificial Swan Pond, and elegant statues was laid out near the palace. After the 1917 revolution, the palace was nationalized, and its collections formed the basis of the Gomel Regional Museum of Local Lore.
Palace Architecture
The Gomel Palace is a compact two-story building designed in the early classicist style. Its central part is adorned with a cubic belvedere with a large dome, giving the structure a majestic appearance. The exterior decor of the palace is distinguished by elegance and strictness, while the interior layout was created with both convenience and luxury in mind.
Previously, the first floor housed only ceremonial halls, such as the Column Hall, the "White" and "Red" drawing rooms, and the Hall of Ceremonial Receptions, formerly known as the "Golden Dining Room." The second floor contained the princely living quarters, while the basement level accommodated the servants and household services. Today, the palace tower hosts a museum exhibition featuring personal belongings of the Rumyantsevs and Paskeviches, battle paintings, weapons, sculptures, and decorative and applied art objects.
Excursions with a Palace Tour
The Gomel Palace of the Rumyantsevs and Paskeviches is a popular site for excursions across Belarus. Here, visitors can learn about the history of notable figures associated with the palace, see unique interior items, and stroll through the picturesque park. Many tourists choose excursions from Minsk to visit this architectural masterpiece and enjoy its atmosphere.
Excursion programs include a tour of historical halls, visits to museum exhibits, and a walk through the park area. You can book an excursion with a tour of the palace to immerse yourself in the history of noble families and discover one of the most scenic places in Belarus.
