Belarus sells historic Radziwill Palace for $30 with strict restoration rules

The historic Radziwill Palace in Belarus’s Grodno region has been sold for just 90 rubles—around $30. Despite its low sale price, the 18th-century property carries strict restoration rules and a market value of over $90,000. The new owner now faces a five-year deadline to bring the long-abandoned building back to life. The palace had stood empty since 2010, repeatedly listed for sale without success. A previous Russian owner failed to meet restoration obligations, leading the state to reclaim the property. Despite years of neglect, the two-storey brick building—complete with a basement and four unheated annexes—remains in surprisingly good shape, with its exterior and decorative plasterwork still intact.

Under the sale terms, the buyer must submit reconstruction plans within five years and secure approval from the Ministry of Culture. The work will demand significant investment, but the palace’s historic appearance must stay unchanged. Once restored, officials plan to open the site to tourists. The property’s market value was assessed at 255,000 rubles (over $90,000), making the 90-ruble sale price symbolic. The low cost reflects the heavy financial burden of reconstruction, as well as the legal commitment to preserve its original character.

The sale marks a turning point for the Radziwill Palace after years of decay. The new owner must now balance restoration costs with strict heritage rules. If successful, the project could transform the long-closed building into a public attraction within half a decade.