● Elements of territory II part

ELEMENTS OF THE WORLD HERITAGE PROPERTY TERRITORY / 2

The Mir Castle Complex occupies a plot of land at the confluence of an unnamed stream with the Miranka River, featuring gentle topography. Within the complex territory there is a pond formed along the bed of the unnamed stream, a section of landscape park in the eastern part, and remnants of a formal park to the north.

Within the World Heritage property territory are located:

·        buildings and structures existing prior to the commencement of restoration and design works for the Mir Castle Complex;

·        the stone castle;

·        remnants of earthen defensive ramparts (west, north and east of the castle);

·        remains of the foundations of the Sviatopolk-Mirsky Princes' Palace;

·        the outbuilding of the Sviatopolk-Mirsky Princes' Palace;

·        the chapel-crypt of the Sviatopolk-Mirsky Princes;

·        the gatekeeper's house with gates;

·        the roadside chapel;

·        the landscape park;

·        remnants of the formal park;

·        an artificial lake with an island.

The main structures of the complex are:

The castle, representing a slightly irregular quadrilateral of defensive walls forming an inner courtyard, with four five-tier corner towers and one six-tier entrance tower. The lower tiers of the towers are quadrilateral, the upper ones are octagonal. A three-story palace with basements is attached along the entire length of the northern and eastern walls on the inner courtyard side. The basement ceilings, as well as the lower tiers of the palace and towers, are vaulted.

The techniques of facade decoration are based on combining exposed brickwork, partially adorned with patterns laid in overburnt brick, with recessed plastered and tinted niche surfaces. On the northeastern tower, the recessed niche surfaces are painted with polychrome ornamental compositions. In the 16th century, carved stone window surrounds were used in decorating the palace facades and adjacent towers.

Maximum dimensions of the structure: 78×72 m, courtyard 42×42 m, height (from ground level to cornice) of towers from 22 to 26 m, palace about 17 m, defensive walls 11-12 m. Total volume (after restoration) 59,000 m³.

Remnants of earthen defensive ramparts have been preserved on the western, northern and eastern sides of the castle. Currently, Mir Castle houses thirty-nine permanent and temporary museum exhibitions.

The chapel-crypt of the Sviatopolk-Mirsky Princes is located east of the castle within the landscape park. It represents a single-nave brick church with a crypt and a bell tower asymmetrically attached to the main facade. The main facade features a mosaic panel depicting Christ, made of multicolored (including gilded) smalt. The roof is covered with galvanized metal. Windows are fitted with wrought iron grilles.

The techniques of facade decoration are based on combining exposed red brickwork surfaces with protruding plaster elements of rich decoration (without tinting). Two levels of the burial chapel are open to visitors.

The gatekeeper's house with gates, is located in immediate proximity to the chapel-crypt, north of it. It is a single-story brick structure without basement, with a gabled roof. The techniques of facade decoration are similar to those of the chapel-crypt.

Currently, the gatekeeper's house accommodates a gas boiler room serving the museum complex.