Plizio Visual Lab

Zaslawye Castle Mounds

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

ruins

Weather…

The Zaslawye Castle Mounds, often referred to as 'Val', are the impressive remnants of one of the oldest fortification systems in Belarus. Zaslawye was founded in 985 by Prince Vladimir the Great, though the existing mounds primarily date to the 16th and 17th centuries. During this period, the Hlebowicz family constructed a modern bastion-style castle based on Italian models to secure the strategic approach to Minsk. The site features massive earthen ramparts reaching up to 3.5 meters in height, which were once surrounded by deep water-filled moats. Situated within the fortifications is the prominent Church of the Transfiguration, originally built as a Calvinist cathedral before becoming an Orthodox church. The mounds provide significant insight into medieval urban planning and the evolution of military architecture within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Today, the area is part of a national archaeological reserve and serves as a major historical attraction.

Location: Belarus
Nearby: Zaslawye (5 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-8	-6	-1	6	13	16	19	18	12	6	1	-5
Rain mm	53	43	45	48	85	80	103	83	50	66	54	51

📋 Practical info

🚪

Visiting

The Zaslawye Castle Mounds are remains of fortifications from the 10th-11th centuries and are freely accessible at all times. The site is a protected archaeological area and invites exploration of the earthen ramparts.

🕒

Typical hours

As an open-air site, there are no fixed opening hours; the area can be visited at any time. It is recommended to come during daylight to better see the details of the earthworks.

📷

Photography

The earthworks and surrounding landscape provide good photo subjects, especially in autumn foliage. Wide-angle shots help convey the extent of the fortifications.

⏱️

Time needed

A walk around the site takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Those interested in archaeology can easily spend more time exploring.

➕

Combine with

The castle mounds are located in Zaslawye, just a short walk from the open-air museum and the Transfiguration Church. These three sites can be easily visited in one morning.

🧭

Getting there

Zaslawye is about 25 km northwest of Minsk, easily reachable by bus or car. The castle mounds are on the edge of town, signposted as an archaeological site. Parking is available near the open-air museum.

💡

Insider tip

Visit the mounds early in the morning to enjoy the quiet and good lighting. An information brochure can be obtained at the nearby open-air museum.