Attractions of Verkhivnia

The Empire-style palace with antique motifs in the decor was built in Verkhivnia in 1800, according to the project of the Italian architect Blerio, by Count Vatslav Hansky, who inherited the Verkhivnia  estate from his father Yan Hansky.

The manor with a palace and outbuildings, a large landscaped park and a church-burial church was presented by the count to his young wife Evelina from the Rzhevusky family, who was considered one of the first beauties of Poland. From here, Evelina began a secret correspondence with Honore de Balzac, signing under the pseudonym "Foreigner". Soon their first meeting took place in Switzerland, but only 15 years later, when Evelina's husband died, the writer was able to come to Verkhivnia.

In Balzac's study, which has survived, on the second floor of the palace, there is a table at which he wrote "Deputy of Arcy", "Petite Bourgeois", "Theatre as it is" and the drama "The Stepmother". The interior of Balzac's bedroom has not been preserved - there are exhibited portraits of the novelist made by his contemporaries. These rooms house the Literary and Memorial Museum of Honore de Balzac.

Other premises of the palace are occupied by the Agricultural College, restoration is underway.