Merkinė Manor, Manor house in Šalčininkai District Municipality, Lithuania.
Merkinė Manor is a red brick estate house located at the confluence of the Nemunas and Merkys rivers, surrounded by pine forests. The complex includes multiple buildings in classical style that reflect the appearance of this former noble residence.
The estate was built in 1770 by Italian architect Carlo Spampani in classical style and served as a residence for the local noble family. In 1769, the property became the center of a short-lived self-governing territory called the Paulava Republic established by Paweł Ksawery Brzostowski.
The estate displays neoclassical features that reflect Italian architectural influences from its founding period. Visitors can observe in the buildings and their design the connection to 18th-century European noble traditions.
The site is accessible on foot and features information panels and memorial stones explaining the estate's history. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the surrounding forest paths can be uneven.
After World War II, the manor was destroyed allegedly by a Soviet sovkhoz director to hide evidence of grain theft. This dramatic event marks a turning point in the property's story following its period as a noble residence.
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