History
The fate of the village of Porechye changed dramatically at the end of the 18th century when it was acquired by the prominent Skirmunt family. One of its most notable representatives, Roman Skirmunt — politician, senator, and one of the leaders of the Belarusian People's Republic — left a lasting mark on history. It was he who, in the early 20th century, established a 65-hectare landscape park in the Yaselda River valley. Skirmunt enriched the area with exotic tree species, including tulip trees, bald cypress, Banks pine, and gray walnut. One of the tulip trees has survived to this day — a living reminder of the park’s former grandeur.
Under the Skirmunts, Porechye became an industrial center: a sugar factory, distillery, dairy plant, and the famous cloth factory all operated here. The red-brick factory building has survived, as well as Roman Skirmunt’s grave within the park. Other points of interest include a World War I German pillbox and a monument to Polish soldiers who died in 1919.
Excursions
A trip from Minsk to Porechye Park is a great way to discover the rich nature and history of the Belarusian Polesia. To truly experience the atmosphere of this place, we recommend an individual guided tour, which we can arrange upon request. During your visit, you will explore the park and its majestic oaks, the ethnographic complex «Poleshuk Homestead», the museum of poetess Yevgeniya Yanishchits, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, and the century-old military cemetery. A custom itinerary including other local landmarks can also be arranged.
Your trip to Porechye will be more than just a walk — it will be a deep encounter with layered history where tradition, architecture, war, and natural beauty intertwine.
