There is an interesting village on the border of Brest and Grodno regions Karchova, and the main attraction of this place is Tuganovichsky Park on the site of which the Vereshchakov estate once stood. Unfortunately, the estate of this family has not survived to this day; only the planning decisions and alleys have survived. Today all that remains is to walk through the dense park, be inspired by old photographs and imagine what these places looked like 200 years ago.
The story of Karchov (Tuganovich) is worthy and fascinating. The list of prominent owners here is also surprising: the Goitsevichs, Mosalskys, Daneyks, Tuganovskys, but the most notable were, of course, the Vereshchaks. They owned Tuganovichi from approximately the mid-18th century until 1930.
A particularly bright period in the history of the Tuganovics was the first half of the 19th century, when Adam Mickiewicz, Tamás Zahn, Jan Chachot and Ignat Domeika came to this region. Future prominent figures, writers and revolutionaries, as well as the forefathers and founders of the Filaret society (by the way secret stone, near which they met and today lies in its place). All of them were friends of the Vereshchakovs and often spent summer days in the company of this family.
In addition, Adam Mickiewicz was in love with the daughter of the owner of the estate, Marilia. However, the love story ended sadly for the poet; the young girl married Vauzhinets Putkamer and left for Boltiniki, Voronovsky district. Despite this outcome, they maintained contact, and for Mickiewicz, Marilia Vereshchak became the muse of his whole life.
Not much is known about the Vereshchakov estate itself. The central object was a one-story manor house, made in the architectural style of classicism. Also on the territory of the park there were: a greenhouse, a windmill, an inn, a family chapel-tomb, an icehouse and various outbuildings.
We are lucky that many old photographs and drawings have been preserved in which we can examine the Vereshchakov estate in detail.
From 1903 to 1911, the “Experimental Field in Tuganovichi”, organized by the Minsk Society of Agriculture, operated on the territory of the estate. The enterprise was considered exemplary, and its committee was financed and consisted of the most prominent figures of that time, it also included the last owner of the Tuganovics, Jozefa Tuganovskaya. However, the First World War broke out, which left this wonderful place in ruins. Many of the buildings of the complex were no longer restored, and what survived was transferred to the balance of the state treasury. The estate complex was finally destroyed during the battles of World War II; the front line passed very close to these places.
Today, walking through the park, you can see fenced trees - this is a natural gazebo where lovers Marilia and Adam probably met.
Below is a point with the location of the park on the map:
If you are in these parts, I recommend that you also visit the town of Ishkold, where the ancient Trinity Church.
