What is happening now at Pishchalovsky Castle and how it looks PHOTOS
Walls harsher than these are unlikely to be found in Minsk. For almost two centuries, Pishchalovsky Castle was a prison. And nothing else. Dark, cold, frightening. For two years now, the once restricted facility has been empty. Onlíner visited one of the largest construction sites in Minsk.
Pishchalovsky Castle is still surrounded by an impenetrable fence. Just like in 1825, in 2026, it's not easy to get onto the prison grounds: security. Only now, behind the high fence, a completely different life, unknown to this location, is taking place.
— The idea of returning Pishchalovsky Castle to the city has been around for a long time, — says Oleg Pilat, head of the production department at "Minsk Heritage". — Essentially, the only question was relocating the previous institution. Since it was a restricted facility, we couldn't start any work beforehand. The first specialists who examined the condition of the castle and other buildings appeared here only after all the premises were empty.
The territory of the former Pre-trial Detention Center No. 1 (also known as "Volodarka") is not as large as it might seem: only 1.85 hectares. Several buildings from the Soviet period that have no historical value were demolished last autumn. Now, behind the high fence, four impressive buildings are hidden. Builders will have to restore one more from scratch.
But the main interest, of course, is centered around the castle. Plaster that has fallen off in entire layers, brick weathered to the seams, deep cracks spreading across the entire facade... The building, which began construction in 1822 under the leadership of "general contractor" Rudolf Pishchala, looks sad.
— Satisfactory, — corrects Oleg Vladimirovich, who has seen a lot during his years at "Minsk Heritage" and is not intimidated by buildings in a dilapidated state. — Of course, measures to reinforce the foundations, floors, and so on will be necessary. The work ahead is serious, labor-intensive, and very meticulous: reinforcement will be carried out in sections — one meter, then two. But nothing is impossible.
The reconstruction of Pishchalovsky Castle is a challenging task. The first serious repair work was carried out there only a few years after construction was completed.
Moreover, when the third floor was added to the castle in 1890 (there wasn't enough space for prisoners), it turned out that the walls were already in a dilapidated state.
And this was after only 68 years of operation.
The "Minsk Prison Castle" might not have survived to this day if it hadn't been "stitched" with metal "threads" in the Soviet years. This green belt on the facade is nothing more than a tie-rod that penetrates (and fastens) the thick castle walls right through.
Inside the building, the tie-rods look like this. In most cases, they are "pressed" against the walls of the rooms, but sometimes they run almost through the middle.
In some rooms, work on clearing the ceilings is already visible
The builders of the 21st century have already taken over the anti-emergency work. Oleg Vladimirovich shows a "classic example of foundation reinforcement": powerful metal channels "embrace" the main support of the building from both sides. They are pulled together by "studs". Below, a new foundation made of modern strong concrete has been poured.
And this is how one of the emergency corners was reinforced, also with "studs": a serious vertical crack prevented specialists from postponing the work.
But don't worry: all these "monstrous" structures (both old and new) will eventually disappear from the facade. After properly conducted reinforcement and replacement of floors, all structures will begin to work independently, without "crutches". As a result, the building will be maximally close to its historical appearance, as architect Kazimir Khrshchanovich intended.
Inside the castle, everything still looks the same: no typical tiles have been knocked off, no plaster has been dismantled, there's no talk of redeveloping the premises. Don't the builders themselves want to start changing this place faster? Maybe they do, but emotional impulses run up against common sense: any vibration is not good for the castle. Therefore, first — total reinforcement of all structures, and only then — internal work.
How will everything proceed?
When it comes to the reconstruction of historical and cultural values, the help of scientists is indispensable. They are the ones who dig up all the documents, compare images from different years, and generally restore architectural justice. Looking at the castle facade, even a layman can understand that, at a minimum, the window pattern has been "rewritten". What else could there be if one delves into the depths of centuries?...
— The scientific director of the project, Alexander Vashkevich, is responsible for the accuracy of the future appearance of Pishchalovsky Castle. So you can be sure that everything will be done at the highest level. We have already restored more than one object with him. And overall, the reconstruction project is being developed by UE "Minskproekt". As soon as the documentation is ready, we will begin work.
To give you an idea: attention is paid to the smallest details, even down to ensuring that the facade color will be exactly the same as 200 years ago. All decorative belts and cornices will also be returned to their place: templates are already being made (based on preserved samples), thanks to which the missing elements will be created from restoration materials, — explains Oleg Pilat.
The return of Pishchalovsky Castle to "secular" life is divided into three stages. The first has already happened: it was the demolition of unattractive modern buildings. The second is much more interesting. It includes the construction of a lost building next to the castle and the reconstruction of the former administrative building.
The third stage — what is called "the one" — involves the restoration of the castle itself, external utilities, and landscaping of the territory. Builders will also have to restore the castle's fourth tower, which collapsed in 2008.
— It's already clear that colossal work awaits us in the zero cycle, — notes Oleg Vladimirovich. — By my estimates, reinforcing the castle's foundation alone will take no less than six months. Uncovering the floor, lowering its level — all these stages will be carried out manually, you can't get an excavator into the basement... It's not to say that this is a very exclusive task, but it is certainly labor-intensive.
— A pit has already been dug near the castle for the future construction of building No. 3 according to the master plan. Were there any strange finds?
— Only three layers of asphalt, — smiles the specialist. — Even before the work began, scientists warned us not to expect any artifacts. Everything here has been dug up so much in previous years that no valuables remain. Perhaps only construction debris will be encountered. And that's how it turned out.
From prison — to a center of attraction?
Pishchalovsky Castle is no less than 4646 square meters that require not only reconstruction but also a complete rethinking.
The concept for the development of the castle and its associated buildings will still be refined, but it is already known that a museum of prison life or anything of that nature will not appear within the historical walls. This will be a "secular" place. "I think it's a very correct decision to give new meaning to this place," muses Oleg Pilat.
When the high stone fence falls (this will happen at the very end of the reconstruction), Minsk will discover a new venue for mass festivities, a promenade area, and a large multifunctional complex.
What to expect? The current entrance group, which includes two buildings, will be transformed. The buildings will have their historical height restored, and inside will house catering establishments, an information and tourist center, and a separate public restroom.
The castle will also be open and accessible to everyone. Catering facilities will "settle" on the basement and first floors. Administrative premises will be on the second and third floors. Probably, an exhibition gallery, a museum, and a tourist office will open there.
Behind the castle, the building of the former stable will be restored. It will be adapted for another catering facility. In the two-story building, located at the maximum distance from Volodarskogo Street, administrative premises and, possibly, a historical reconstruction club will be accommodated.
— Of course, this is a very complex object. But it's feasible. There are methods and techniques that allow it to be restored. Yes, it won't be cheap, but in return, the city will get a new iconic landmark, — says the head of the production department of "Minsk Heritage".