The first written mention of the Ruzhany (Razhany) dates back to 1490. And already in 1552 the place belonged to the Tyshkevichy. After Tyshkevichy, the city passed to the family of Bruhalsky. In 1598 Bartosh Bruhalski sold the estates of Lososin and Ruzhany to the Chancellor of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Lev Sapiega, who made the place his main residence. By the efforts of Sapiega family on June 20, 1637, Ruzhany gained the right to self-government. For the meetings of the magistrate, the town hall was built. The city was given a coat of arms: in a silver field a wreath of red roses, in its center - the figure of St. Casimir (heavenly patron of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania) with lilies and a cross in his hands. By the beginning of the XVII century Ruzhany was a prosperous place: there were over 400 households, brick and tile factories; The Holy Trinity Church of the Dominicans and the Peter and Paul Church.

Monumental building of Ruzhany around the trading area (now the square of September 17) was formed in the XVII-XVIII centuries. Before that, on a neighboring hill, a castle was built as a residence of Sapiega. As a result of the war with the Swedes and internecine clashes, the castle at the end of the XVII - the beginning of the XVIII century was badly damaged, having lost its defensive significance. Therefore, during the restoration in the second half of the XVIII century it was turned into a representative palace ensemble, perfectly inscribed in the picturesque landscape of the area.

The most famous landmark of Ruzhany is the former residence of the Sapieha family. The beginning of its construction dates back to the 16th century, and in the next two centuries it was repeatedly rebuilt. The palace in Ruzhany played a significant role in the history of not only the Grand Duchy of Lithuania but also of neighboring countries. It was visited twice by kings, ambassadors were received here, and here the proteges were preparing for the Moscow throne. At one time, the state treasury of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the arsenal were kept in the cellars of the palace. As a result of internecine encounters and war with the Swedes, the castle was badly damaged, so the owners decided to turn it into a palace ensemble. In addition to the ruins of the palace in Ruzhany, other sights have been preserved. Most of them are concentrated on the central square of the village. Here is the Trinity church (1617), the church of Saints Peter and Paul (1778) (both temples are built with using Sapega funds), as well as the residential building of the former Basilian monastery (1788). In addition, in Ruzhany you can see the building of the synagogue (the end of the 18th century), the church of St. Casimir (1792), the austere building (the second half of the 18th century).