Novogrudok. Tourist routes in Belarus. Farny Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord
In the very heart of the so-called Black Rus', the city of Novogrudok, amazing in its beauty and richness of the historical past, is located. The first documentary mention of it dates from the first half of the 11th century, namely by 1044, but numerous archaeological research allow us to unequivocally say that the first traces of a settlement on this land existed from the end of the 10th century. It arose much later. For many centuries Novogrudok developed as a trade and craft center of the country. Today, rest in Novogrudok is included in many tourist programs, and the old part of the city, located on a hill, still has an irresistible attraction.
Getting to Novogrudok
Russian tourists, first of all, should get to Minsk. If you decide to travel by air, Aeroflot and Belavia airlines operate direct flights from some Russian cities, including Moscow (6 flights daily), Novosibirsk (2 flights a week), St. Petersburg (2 flights daily) and other cities. You can also use the services of the train, they run from many regions of Russia (about a dozen trains from Moscow every day). There are bus routes from Russia and a number of CIS countries.
Since Novogrudok does not have a railway connection, and the nearest station Novelnya is located 22 km from the city, the most convenient way to get to Novogrudok is considered a bus. The Novogrudok bus station accepts both suburban and international routes. If you are coming from Minsk, buses to Novogrudok depart daily from the capital's Vostochny bus station. There are other routes Minsk-Svityaz, Minsk-village Boroviki (health resort Radon). Estimated fare - $ 7, following to Novogrudok, to the village of Boroviki - $ 8.4. If you travel from Grodno 7.7-8.4$, from Brest - 13.8$.
Decided to travel own car? You will be inspired by a trip to America, take a look. Coming from Minsk, remember, the distance will be about 150 km. To do this, follow from the Moscow Ring Road to the city of Dzerzhinsk (about 41 km), then follow to the city of Stolbtsy (38 km from Dzerzhinsk), and finally head for Novogrudok (70 km from Stolbtsy). Total time, spent on the road - about 2 hours, distance - 150 km.
What to see in Novogrudok
For tourists, the city of Novogrudok is remarkable, first of all, for its ancient architecture. First of all, history buffs should visit the Novogrudok Castle, the foundation of which was laid in the period of the XIII-XVI centuries and served as the residences of the rulers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Unfortunately, due to numerous hostilities by the XVIII century. it was destroyed, at the moment only fragments of the previously existing castle have been preserved. Next, go to Mount Mindovg, the founder of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, where a monument was erected in his honor.
What Novogrudok is rich in is religious buildings. Not far from the central square, there is the most important monument of the most ancient Belarusian architecture - the 16th-century Borisoglebskaya Church, which combines Gothic and Renaissance features. Take a look at the Nicholas Church (XVIII century), built in the style of a fusion of baroque and pseudo-Byzantine style, as well as the Mikhailovsky Church (XVII century) in the style of classicism and baroque. Farny Church, founded in the 14th century, is considered one of the oldest churches in the region.
Some significant sights are scattered outside Novogrudok. Fragments of the 16th-century Lyubcha Castle can be seen 26 km away. In the village of Shchorsy, there are fragments of the previously existing Khreptovichi palace and park ensemble of the 18th century. If you are in Russia - visit.
A considerable number of sights are inextricably linked with the name of the outstanding poet Adam Mickiewicz. Not far from the castle, a monument to Mickiewicz was erected, on the northern side of the Novogrudok castle is the mound of Adam Mickiewicz (otherwise, the mound of Immortality). In the house-museum of Mickiewicz you can get acquainted with the work, as well as the life of the poet, the exposition presents interior items of the 19th century, as well as books and personal items.
Prices in shops and hotels
Prices in Novogrudok are noticeably lower than in Russia, as well as in neighboring countries.
Accommodation services here are represented by three hotels: the Novogrudok hotel, located in the very heart of the city, the Pansky House near Mindovga Mountain and the Mickiewicz Museum, as well as the NZGA hotel. The average cost of living is $20. If the main thing for you is comfortable living, then rural estates are for your attention. The conditions here are very different, but you can often find quite a decent option for $25 per person.
The cost of goods here is lower than in the capital, for example, the cost of bread is $0.8, meat - $4-5, milk - $0.7, alcoholic beverages $8-10. Prices for clothes here are quite high, for example, jeans will cost you $35, a T-shirt - $4, shoes $30-97. By the way, here is the system tax free for goods worth at least 800 thousand Belarusian rubles. rub. ($82). Tourists who want to bring memorable souvenirs from their holidays can choose between ordinary plastic figurines starting at $4, while more affluent city guests can purchase products made from local crystal from $153. Bed sets made of Belarusian linen and other quality items made of this material will cost from $15.
Meals in Novogrudok
It should be noted that Belarusian cuisine is very satisfying and varied. The basis of many local dishes is potatoes. He has been allocated special place. After all, the local cuisine knows more than two and a half dozen dishes from this vegetable, each of them is unique in its own way. If you arrive in Novogrudok, be sure to try the famous and very tasty Belarusian dish - potato pancakes. However, one should not assume that Belarusians eat only potatoes; the menu of local restaurants also contains meat and vegetable ingredients. Don't forget dairy products.
In fact, the Belarusian cuisine will please with a variety of dishes that you want to taste everything at once, a considerable number of restaurants and cafes invite tourists to spend time with them. One of the leading restaurants in Novogrudok is Svityaz, which offers guests local and Western cuisine. At the Novogrudok hotel there is a Shanson restaurant, and at the Panskiy Dom hotel there is a cafe Old city. If your choice fell on living in rural estates, caring hostesses will certainly treat you to dishes local cuisine made from only the freshest ingredients.
If you went to one of the local supermarkets and large stores, remember that the prices here are strictly fixed. You can drop the price only in local markets.
After visiting local attractions, you will surely decide to have a delicious meal in local restaurant or cafe. Remember, in Novogrudok, however, as well as throughout the country, it is customary to leave a tip. Their size is set based on the account, in general, about 10% or more.
To move around the city, use the services of a local taxi, however, the fare is usually rounded up. It is better to discuss the cost of the trip in advance.
If you prefer bank cards, be careful: they are accepted for payment only in large shopping malls as well as in hotels and supermarkets.
The opening hours of local supermarkets are from 8 am to 9 pm. There are exceptions.
Novogrudok from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Novogrudok.
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It is hard to imagine that the small town of Novogrudok in the Middle Ages was the first capital of one of the most powerful states in Eastern Europe - the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and in the interwar period - the center of the province. On a par with Lviv, Vilna or Brest. Unfortunately, many attributes of former glory have sunk into oblivion, but picturesque hills, which were sung by the famous poet Adam Mickiewicz, are still in place, like many architectural monuments that fit so well into the landscape. The quiet and measured life of the provincial Novogrudok is often diluted with large-scale knightly festivals, which attract historical reenactors and spectators from all over Belarus and neighboring countries.
How to get to Novogrudok
Novogrudok is located 150 km from Minsk. There is no railway in the city, you need to go by bus or minibus (they leave every 2 hours from the Central Bus Station of the capital, 1.5 hours on the way. How to get to Minsk is told.
During the First World War in 1916, the Germans built a narrow gauge railway, which connected Novogrudok with Novoelnya, a station on the Baranovichi - Lida line. The narrow gauge railway operated until the 60s, and then was dismantled. The railway station, in turn, was converted into a bus station.
Public transport in Novogrudok is represented by 10 bus routes.
Hotels
There are few hotels in Novogrudok, moreover, most of them are not represented on popular booking services. The cost of a day in a standard double room of a simple hotel with breakfast is 50-60 BYN. Apartments locals rent for 40-50 BYN per day. And if you travel with a company and by car, you should consider the option of renting an agroestate near the city. For example, a house for 4-6 people will cost 100-120 BYN.
Cafes and restaurants
with establishments Catering in Novogrudok, unlike other small Belarusian cities, not everything is so bad - the tourist attraction is affecting. There are several restaurants with traditional cuisine where dinner will cost 15-20 BYN per person without alcohol. Local fast food - pancakes for 2 BYN and pies for 1 BYN. Prices on the page are for October 2018.
Attractions Novogrudok
Perhaps the main attraction of the city is Novogrudok Castle, more precisely, its ruins. The fortress was erected in the 13th century, it has survived the sieges of the crusaders and the raids of the Tatar-Mongols more than once. But during the Northern War she could not resist and was destroyed Russian army. To date, only fragments of 2 of the 7 towers have survived: Shchitovka and Kostelnaya. But even in this state, they are impressive.
At the foot of the Castle Hill stands the far church of the Transfiguration of the Lord built in 1714-23. The first temple in its place appeared in 1385: it was founded by Grand Duke Vytautas. The current building was built in the very popular Sarmatism style in the Commonwealth. 3 chapels of the 15th century are built into the walls of the temple. A memorial plaque hangs on one of them, informing that here in 1422 the Polish king Jagiello married Sophia Golshanskaya, who after a while gave him a long-awaited heir. This is how the Jagiellonian family arose, which ruled in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Near the church there is a wooden building of the monastery of the Nazarenes.
Among the beautiful houses historical center hidden mosque built in 1855 - one of the oldest in Belarus.
Opposite shopping malls market square broken old park, in which the Mickiewicz estate is located (Lenin St., 1). The great poet Adam Mickiewicz spent all his childhood and youth here, until in 1817 he left to enter the university in Vilna. But he returned to his small homeland more than once in his work. So, the poem "Grazhina" tells just about the events in ancient Novogrudok. The house-museum, opened in 1931, was destroyed by an air bomb 10 years later. Fortunately, many exhibits survived, and in 1955 the museum was rebuilt. Right there, in the vicinity of the Market Square, there is the Borisoglebskaya Church. In its current form, this Orthodox church was built in 1517-19. and refers to churches of the defensive type: in fact, it is a small fortress.
Novogrudok settlement arose at the end of the 10th century. The city and the castle are located on one of the most high points Belarus - 323 meters above sea level. There was a fortress on the Castle Hill, and a settlement on other high hills.
Townspeople were engaged in metalworking, worked with iron, bronze, non-ferrous metals, made sickles, plumbing and carpentry tools, axes, spears, arrows, scissors, fish hooks. Novogrudok artisans worked with gold and colored glass. Even the quarter of Novogrudok goldsmiths was formed. They lived in two-story houses, painted with frescoes, with glazed windows - after 500 years, the windows in the palace of Peter I were still mica.
The first written mention of Novogorodok - Novgorodka refers to 1044, when the Grand Duke of Kiev Yaroslav the Wise "went to Lithuania." Obviously, it was then that a roundabout city arose from the settlement. To protect against possible attacks, an earthen rampart was erected around the city.
In the 12th century, Novogrudok was one of the richest cities in Black Rus' - Upper Ponemanye. Pottery, spinning, weaving, sewing, bone-cutting and stone-cutting were added to the goldsmithing and jewelry craft. Novogrudok had extensive trade ties, despite the lack of waterways - the city traded with Kiev, with European countries, the Baltics, Scandinavia, even with the Middle East and Byzantium. Among the inhabitants of the city, many were literate.
From the beginning of the 11th century until the reign of Mindovg, wooden walls stood on the ramparts of Novorudka, which were renovated several times. The first mention of Mindovga, the creator of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, dates back to 1219. By that time, the Novogrudok specific principality already existed. Around 1238 Prince Izyaslav ruled there.
It is not known for certain how Mindovg became the prince of Novogrudok, perhaps he was invited by the Novogrudok people to reign, perhaps he captured the city, perhaps he inherited it from his father, Prince Ringold.
From the 1240s, Mindovg reigned in Novogrudok, gradually subjugated all the principalities surrounding Novogrudok.
P.G. Chigrinov wrote: “The troops of Mindovg entered the Pskov and Novgorod lands, even occupied Torzhok. Alexander Nevsky led his squads into the field eight times, and only at the cost of great effort and significant losses did he manage to defend his possessions.
Mindovg constantly fought, fought with everything and against everyone, made alliances and broke them, sometimes he lost battles, but more often he won. The first mention of Novogrudok in the Ipatiev Chronicle dates back to 1252; Since that year, the city has been the residence of Prince Mindovg and the capital of all his lands. In 1253, Mindovg converted to Catholicism and was crowned in Novogrudok.
In 1250-1270, the Novogrudok principality was the arena of the struggle between the Lithuanian and Galician-Volyn princes. Already in 1254-1260, Novogrudsk belonged to Roman Danilovich of Galicia, then to the son of Mindovg, Voyshelok. It was then that the construction of the Novogrudok Castle began.
In the second half of the 13th century, powerful gorodni were built on Castle Hill - oak log cabins and the first stone tower, 12 by 12 meters in size, which closed the ring of gorodni.
In 1274, the united army of the Tatars and the Galician-Volyn prince Lev Danilovich destroyed and plundered the roundabout city, but could not take the castle.
In 1314, the crusaders tried to take the Novogrudok castle using stone throwers. Having destroyed, as always, everything in the area, the crusaders could not take the castle on the move and began the siege. There were bloody battles. At that moment, a cavalry detachment went from Grodno to help the people of Novogrudok. The detachment was obviously small, and the leader of the detachment, Davyd, unexpectedly attacked the military camp, destroying the guards. 1,500 knight's horses, equipment, food, and the entire convoy were captured. David's detachment also took all the food left by the knights on the way back. The crusaders lifted the siege and went home. All their attempts to get food and feed were severely suppressed by the people of Grodno and Novogrudok. Having eaten the last horses, eating grass and roots, the remnants of the crusaders reached their castles in a month and a half.
In 1341, the principality of Novogrudok became the lot of Voydat Keistutyevich, in 1384 - his son Yuri, then - Tovtivill Keistutyevich. At the end of the 13th century Novogrudok was owned by the Grand Duke of Lithuania Traiden. Since 1394, Novogrudok has been the center of the Lithuanian grand ducal domain. In the same year, the crusaders once again unsuccessfully stormed the Novogrudok castle. At the end of the XIV century, the stone tower was badly damaged, a new brick tower was built on it, called the Shield Tower, it had 5 floors overall height 25 meters. The thickness of the walls was about 3 meters, there were many loopholes in the walls, intensive stone construction began in the castle. Three more stone towers were built - Kostelnaya, Posadnaya, Malaya Brama and the walls between them. The length of the walls between the towers was 30, 80 and 70 meters. The fourth wall was wooden for a long time. The steepness of the 27-meter mountain slope had 60 degrees. In the XIV century, a stone temple was built in the castle in the form of a single-tower stone structure- Church of Saint Michael. Before the divisions of the Commonwealth, sessions of the Supreme Court of Appeal of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania - the Tribunal - were held there.
Not far from the church stood a two-story stone palace 8 by 8 meters, which existed until the middle of the 17th century.
At the beginning of the 15th century, springs gushed only on the eastern slope. Above them, the people of Novogrudok put the Kolodezhnaya tower, a square at the base 8 by 8 meters. From the Kolodezhnaya tower there was a wall to the castle two meters thick. Inside the wall there was a secret passage to the water 1 meter wide, with a vault.
In 1505, the Tatars and Turkish Janissaries tried to take the Novogrudok castle, but failed.
In 1255, 1274, 1278, the Mongol-Tatars attacked Novogrudok, in 1314, 1321, 1341, 1390, 1394 the crusaders, at the beginning of the 16th century - the Crimean Tatars. Novogrudok castle was never taken. Novogrudok itself until 1323 was the capital of the Principality of Lithuania (from 1323 - Vilna). Seimas of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were held in the city three times.
Since 1415, Novogrudok has been the residence of the Metropolitan of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, since 1596, the residence of the Uniate metropolitans of the Commonwealth.
In 1507, a new administrative-territorial division was introduced in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In January 1507, the Novogrudok Voivodeship was formed, which was divided into three districts - counties: Volkovysk, Novogrudok, Slonim. Until 1791, the Novogrudok district included the Slutsk principality. This system lasted from 1507 to 1940.
In 1511 Novogrudok received the Magdeburg Law. Schools began to be created at churches, and a theater appeared at the beginning of the 16th century. In addition to the three Seims of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, sejmiks were held here - meetings of the local gentry, the castle and zemstvo courts sat.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the Watch Tower was built on a four-meter foundation on a base of 14 by 14 meters. A fifty-meter wall 2 meters thick was built between it and the Small Gate. Novogrudok castle became completely stone, which, however, did not save it from the terrible wars of the 17th and early 18th centuries. Another tower was built from the side of the city. The fortifications of the city were connected with the fortifications of the castle, creating the Lower Defense Belt - the “forburg”.
The Novogrudok castle in the 16th century had 7 towers connected by walls and additional fortifications from the north - a large earthen rampart and a defensive moat thirty meters wide and up to 4 meters deep. High walls were located along the rampart.
In 1535, the Moscow governors unsuccessfully stormed the Novogrudok castle. In the 16th-18th centuries, 2-3 thousand people permanently lived in Novogrudok.
M.A. Tkachev wrote in his 1987 work “Castles of Belarus”: “The first half of the 16th century was calm for the city. This, however, had a negative impact on the condition of the castle, which the royal authorities stopped monitoring. Located in the depths of Belarus, far from the disturbing eastern border, the Novogrudok castle gradually lost its strategic importance, with all the inevitable consequences in such cases: it began to collapse, fall behind in armament.
During the "bloody flood" (the war of 1654-1667), in September 1655, after the siege, Novogrudok was taken by the troops of Prince A.N. Trubetskoy and Ukrainian Cossacks I. Zolotarenko. The castle was badly damaged, and the city burned down. The castle was partially restored, but again in 1660 it was taken by the Moscow troops of Prince I.A. Khovansky. The mercenary garrison, who did not receive payment for their service, opened the gates of the fortress themselves.
Four towers were destroyed, Shchitovka, Kostelnaya, Dozornaya were preserved. The castle collapsed and fell into disrepair.
During the Northern War in 1706, the Swedes stormed the city and the castle, plundered everything and blew up all the fortifications.
Since 1795, Novogrudok has been a part of Russian Empire, county town as part of the Slonim province, since 1797 - in the Lithuanian province, since 1801 - in the Grodno province, since 1843 - in the Minsk province.
The childhood of the great poet Adam Mickiewicz passed in Novogrudok; after graduating from the Novogrudok school in 1815, he entered the Vilna University.
During the 19th century, Novogrudok was a small town with about 4,000 inhabitants, 15 stone and 400 wooden houses. At the beginning of the 20th century, 6 fairs were held annually in the city. In 1897, about 8000 inhabitants lived in Novogrudok 
Since September 1915, Novogrudok was occupied by German troops, who were replaced by Polish troops in April 1919. In July 1920, the Red Army entered Novogrudok, but the Poles drove it out in October.
In 1921-1939, Novogrudok was part of Poland, the center of the voivodeship and county.
Since 1939, Novogrudok has been part of the Byelorussian SSR, since 1940 it has been a regional center.
From July 1941 to July 6, 1944, Novogrudok was occupied by the Nazis, who killed about 30,000 people in the region during the years of occupation.
Since 1954, Novogrudok has been a district center of the Grodno region.
In 1959, the population of Novogrudok was 12,000 inhabitants, in 1970 - 20,000 inhabitants, at the beginning of the 21st century - 30,000 inhabitants.
There are 5 museums in Novogrudok, including the house-museum of Adam Mickiewicz.
In Novogrudok, the spirit of a thousand-year history has been preserved, there are many architectural monuments - the ruins of the castle of the 13th-16th centuries, the Borisoglebskaya church of the 16th century, the Farny church of the 14th-15th centuries, the Nikolaev church of the 19th century, the Dominican St. malls and residential buildings of the 18th-19th centuries, Mount Mindovga, Mickiewicz barrow.
Castle ruins.
The castle was the residence of the appanage, later the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. Situated on high hills. Novogrudok district is often called "Belarusian Switzerland".
The ruins of the “donjon” tower of the Shield and the Kostelnaya tower have survived to this day.
St. Boris and Gleb Church.
It was erected as a temple, adapted for defense, at the expense of a major Orthodox magnate of the Great Hetman of Lithuania Konstantin Ostrozhsky. Built in two architectural styles- gothic and renaissance.
In the first half of the 17th century, the temple was reconstructed, and it received a different look.
In the walls of the temple there is a miraculous icon Mother of God Novogrudok.
Farny Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
According to legend, it was founded in 1395 by Vytautas. At first it was wooden. The church was erected in 1712-1723, including the old one. Adam Mickiewicz was baptized in the church in 1799. In the temple there is a bas-relief of 1643 in memory of the Novogrudok knights who died near Khotyn in 1621 in a battle with the Turks.
St. Nicholas Cathedral.
Built in 1780 as the church of St. Anthony of the Franciscan monastery. In 1831, by order of the Russian authorities, the church was transferred to the Orthodox and converted into the church of St. Nicholas.
Church of St. Michael the Archangel.
Built in 1624 as a church of a Dominican monastery.
A hundred years later it was rebuilt, in 1751 and 1831 it burned.
Closed twice - in 1858 and after World War II.
Restored in the 1990s, services are going on in the church.
In the main altar there is an icon of the Holy Archangel Michael, the patron saint of Novogrudok.
House Museum of Adam Mickiewicz.
The museum was built on the foundation of the Sienkiewicz estate.
The museum was first opened in 1938, then in 1955.
Refurbished in 1989. In the courtyard of the museum, an outbuilding, a gazebo, a well of the Mickiewicz estate were reconstructed.
Mount Mindovga.
It is covered with legends, according to one of which Prince Mindovg (1195-1260), the founder of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, is buried in it.
Mound of Immortality in honor of Adam Mickiewicz.
Poured by admirers of the poet in 1924-1931 on the Small Castle - where Novogrudok began, a roundabout city. Goldsmiths settled here.
Not far from Novogrudok is Lake Litovka, sung by Adam Mickiewicz in the poem Grazhyna.
In the town of Vselyub there is the Church of St. Casimir built in the 15th century - the oldest stone Catholic church in Belarus.
In 1581, near Novogrudok, the Lyubcha Castle was built - the last monument of the traditional castle building in Belarus. The castle was surrounded by a moat up to 30 meters wide and up to 10 meters deep. On Castle Hill, the wooden palace was replaced by a stone one. From the owner of Lyubcha Jan Kishka at the beginning of the 16th century, the castle passed to the Radziwills. The Lyubcha printing house, destroyed in the wars of the middle of the 17th century, published more than 100 books, including the first edition in Belarus of the work of M. Stryikovsky - “Genealogy, or a Brief Description of the Historical Deeds of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania”.
Near Novogrudok is the Negnevichi estate, which in 1428 the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vitovt presented to his wife Uliana Golshanskaya. In the 15th century, the estate passed to the Radziwills.
In the town of Shchorsy, which belonged to the Khreptovich magnates since the 15th century, a stone palace was built by Italian and French architects in 1770-1776, which became the center of the manor and park complex. The palace was surrounded by a large landscape park with a system of artificial lakes. Partially Shchorsy were destroyed in the First World War.
Not far from Novogrudok is Lake Svityaz, sung by A. Mitskevich.
Novogrudok is a place that breathes history. Not modernized and not embellished history. Novogrudok at one time was one of the main political centers the so-called ON. The city was formed at the request of Yaroslav the Wise - in 1044 he laid a fortress on this site.
How to get there:
The easiest way to get to Novogrudok is by private transport, this is quite an acceptable option for a weekend itinerary, besides, along the way you can capture and - these two significant Belarusian towns are very close to each other. The city is located in the Grodno region, 145 km from Minsk, below is the route from Minsk:
If you are departing from another city, then by clicking on the enlarged map you can change the starting point of the route. A less convenient, but also acceptable option is a bus, they leave from the Vostochny bus station, and go to their destination for about 3 hours, they go quite often.
Sights and photos of the city:
Novogrudok was the first capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania - an important stage in the history of Belarus. The first prince of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Mindovg lived in the Novogrudok castle on the Castle Hill. The town was formed later, and now the castle turned out to be almost the outskirts. Start your journey from the ruins of the castle or leave it for later - the choice is yours.
Yes, all that remains of the former grandeur of the Novogrudok Castle is just two walls and traces of a stone fortification, but it is in this place that you feel and imagine “how it was”. This is a typical castle of the Middle Ages: it stands on a hill outside the city and a wide road leads to it. It is difficult for enemies to get close to the hill, but it is more convenient for the guards of the castle from the hill to look out for and attack these very opponents. But it cannot be said that this small town the castle ruins are the main attraction.
Novogrudok is famous for its people - quite famous figures of Belarusian culture - mostly writers. These are the great Polish and Belarusian poet Adam Mickiewicz, poets Jan Chechet, Vincent Korotynsky. Adam Mickiewicz, who was born in Novogrudok in 1801, has a whole house-museum in the city, located in a picturesque park.
On the other side of the road, closer to the ruins of the castle, there is a monument to the inspired poet. And even further rises the barrow, to which an old staircase leads, which, rising up, encircles the barrow. Not far from the central part are the residential buildings of the Franciscan monastery and the monastery of the Nazarenes. The city is generally characterized by a high concentration of historical sites around the center. And so you feel just surrounded by history, at the same time, you merge into history quite naturally and organically. In the very center, it has been preserved and greatly decorated central square ordinary city building. 
In the city, as in many former Belarusian "towns", there is a Jewish, Tatar, Catholic and Orthodox cemetery, and the latter are nearby without any separation between them. Different confessions are also represented by different types of religious buildings: there are churches, temples, churches, a mosque in the city.
Most of the churches, the most famous of which is the Farny Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, founded in 1395 by Prince Vytautas. It organically fits into the private quarter of ordinary wooden houses and is perfectly visible from the hill, on which the ruins of the Novogrudok castle are located.
inside the church is interesting, but without frills, after
Belarus, Novogrudok, the castle in Novogrudok, the farny church, the cup of St. Hedwig, the burial mound of Immortality, the house-museum of Adam Mickiewicz.
"Kali Navagrudsky ubachysh prastors,
Rakitnik razgalisty low -
Kanya supyni la Pluzhinskaka boru -
Cab look at the lake closer!
A. Mitskevich.
The first mention of Novogrudok.
Once upon a time quite a long time ago Novogrudok famous for its castle and not only for it. Who has been to knows that Novgorod is New town. Initially, the settlement of present-day Novgorod was a couple of kilometers closer to Lake Ilmen. Which is quite logical, after the transfer of the city, it was called the New City.
Same thing with the title. Novogrudok- after all, in fact, this is the Polish-Belarusian version of the spelling of ours. Now historians consider the founding date Novogrudok- not that 1044, not that 1116 or 1252 (yes, historians have not yet decided themselves), - this is the year when Novogrudok first mentioned in the chronicles as a city, and the settlement, according to archaeological data, existed here already at the turn of the 9th-10th centuries. However, archaeological studies of the Novogrudok region do not make it possible to assume that a predecessor settlement existed in the district. emergence Novogrudok was part of the urban development process, the development of the pre-urban center into an urban-type settlement.
The first settlements in Novogrudok
At the turn of the first and second millennium, people were the first to fall in love with the hills in Novogrudok. First, the Small Castle was inhabited - about the 10th century, then the Castle Hill itself. The buildings on both hills were oriented to the parts of the world with corners or walls. In the XII century, on the Small Castle in the eastern part of the site, there was a large concentration of rich houses, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich was about 70 m 2 instead of the usual 30-35. There were even more rich houses here than in Kyiv itself. There was also its own Borisoglebskaya church, a Christian cemetery (105 graves). Castle Hill was inhabited first along the perimeter, in its northern part, outbuildings were found. Such a division is unconventional for the settlements of that time. Already in the second half of the 11th century, the first fortifications were erected on Castle Hill - a shaft from 1 to 2.5 meters high, and it was from that time Castle Hill can be considered a citadel, and the Small Castle - a settlement. Since then Novogrudok became a city, and a city at that time was considered a settlement where there is a castle - a citadel and an unfortified settlement. On the site of the current Shchitovka tower, there was a predecessor tower entirely made of stone, which served as the foundation for new tower. At that time, when the fortifications of the castle were wooden (50-70 years of the XIII century), only the predecessor of Shchitovka was made of stone and closed the rampart, being, in fact, a donjon. Novogrudok of that time was already trading with the Baltic states, Kiev.
Castle in Novogrudok
badly hurt Novogrudok years... You guessed it? Right during the Great Northern War. Not much is left of the castle, but... The high, high castle hill is open to all winds. If a flag were raised here, it would proudly fly, never ceasing for a second of its anxious and proud dance. Steep slopes are covered with emerald grass, and probably so tasty and juicy that two local cows graze with great pleasure at the foot of the hill, and it seems that they like it here, they move so slowly from place to place.
At the top of the hill is clearly expressed castle shaft, along which you can go around the perimeter, taking turns examining the remains of ancient walls and towers made of traditional red brick. And the yellow suns of hundreds of dandelions, as on the hill of the former, smilingly and affably pull their heads to the walls and towers, look into the sky, as if they want to console - look, it will still be good, because they have risen from the ruins, and, and the yellow flower heads continue to smile sunny happiness, as if they know that the castle will be restored with love, it will find its guides and guests, kids will frolic on the slope, running through the yellow suns of dandelions. And as the pinnacle of creation - on the highest roof of the castle, the stork will build its nest, as a symbol of peace and prosperity, In the meantime ...
At the turn of the XIV-XV centuries, large-scale work began to strengthen the castle. The former wooden castle began to prepare for serious battles, dressing in stone outfits. One after another, the towers become stone, because they will have to confront serious opponents - the Teutonic Order, the Crimean Tatars, the Moscow principality, the Poles, the Swedes. The first stone tower was Shchitovka (central), and a gate was also made in it. The five floors of the tower are 25 meters high with walls on the ground floor about 2.7 meters thick! should have been reliable protection. The next tower to receive a new decoration is Kostelnaya. It is located east of Shchitovka. The tower was a little lower and had only three floors with 4 loopholes on each. Next, the Pasade Tower and the Small Gate Tower were rebuilt, part of which has survived to this day. Opposite it, in the place where the spring flows from, they erected the Well Tower. At the turn of the 15th-16th centuries, the Dozorets tower was erected in the northwestern corner of the castle, its dimensions were 14 by 14 meters. With the passage of time and the development of military affairs, the Small Gates became not entirely reliable. A new gate tower has been added, linked to the Well Tower and the Small Gate. It turned out a kind of fortified bastion, which guarded the road to the castle. And the castle became a seven-tower fortress, one of the most powerful at that time in the Belarusian lands.
1 - Church tower, 2 - Shchitovka, 3 - Dozornaya, 4 - Posadskaya, 5 - Small gates, 6 - Well, 7 - Meska, 8 - Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God, 9 - Prince's palace.
In the southern part of the castle, houses of the inhabitants of the city dependent on the prince were erected. During excavations near the Small Gate, a number of residential buildings measuring 3 by 4 meters, almost closely adjacent to one another. In the north - the prince's palace and outbuildings. Later, the prince's stone palace adjoined Shchitovka. Such a division of economic and residential buildings is rather unusual. Of course, the castle had its own church.
In 1655, the Cossacks attacked the castle, and it was badly damaged, however, by 1660 it was revived again. And again he was taken by the Cossacks, or rather handed over to the hired garrisons, who did not receive payment for their service on time. Four towers of the castle were destroyed to the foundation. In 1661 the castle was released from taxes to restore its former power. However, through these lands in 1706 and 1708 lay the path of the Swedish army, which completed the destruction of the castle. In 1802, part of the castle towers was dismantled for paving the streets of the city and other household needs. On top of the destruction, at the end of the 19th century, rubbish from all over the area began to be brought to Castle Hill, under a two-meter layer of which the foundations of castle buildings were preserved.
Restoration and conservation of the castle
Excavations and conservation of the castle have been going on for many years. For the first time, the Poles paid attention to the castle in the 20s of the last century. Their goal is to preserve the walls and towers of the castle. Which was done. The remains of the Church Tower and Shchitovka were conserved, the direction of all the walls was determined, and a plan of the castle was drawn up.
Then, after the end of World War II, the castle was explored by a St. Petersburg expedition in 1956-1973. Therefore, a large number of artifacts, including the Cup of St. Hedwig, are stored in the Hermitage - ceramics, amphorae, glassware, jewelry, Byzantine glass, bronze, lead and iron items. By the way, the Jadwiga Cup was never exhibited in the Hermitage, because it was found broken :(.
Since 2012, an active restoration of the castle has been underway. The castle hill was fortified, the remains of the Church tower too. It is planned to open a museum in the Shchitovka tower with artifacts found during the excavation hour: tiles, colored tiles for stoves, animal bones, about three dozen coins of the 16th-19th centuries, cannonballs, arrowheads. At the very top of the tower is planned Observation deck. The foundations of all buildings and walls will be marked. The Church Tower is being completed - to old wall new ones are added, the tower is recreated the same as in the engraving of Napoleon Orda. But not everything is so easy to succeed, because at a depth of 20-25 meters there is a powerful aquifer, which gave the defenders the opportunity to be ready for new sieges, but now it is not into the hands of the castle. Strengthening the foundation and the wall of the tower is not so easy.
Farny Church, where Sofia Golshanskaya (Drutskaya) and Jagiello were married
Farny Church (Church of the Transfiguration), Novogrudok.
It is believed that in pagan times there was a temple of Pirun, but in 1395, a church was built. In 1422, it was here that the wedding of the Lithuanian king took place. Jagiello and princesses Sofia Golshanskaya (Drutskaya). The first Gothic church existed until 1712. In its place, a new stone church with a two-tower main façade and a semicircular altar apse was erected, consecrated in 1723. The composition of the building includes two ancient graven chapels of the former church. Ancient dungeons and stained-glass windows have been preserved in the chapels. Later, the church was rebuilt, but the chapel where the wedding took place has survived to this day. Adam Mickiewicz was also baptized in this church.
Saint Hedwig's Cup
A lot of interesting articles you can read about the history of the city. According to one of them, Novogrudok similarly, Novgorod was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL). And from here interesting artifact(you can’t call it otherwise), found during excavations - "cup of Saint Hedwig". According to wikipedia, on "Cup of Saint Hedwig"(under this name the vessel is listed in the Hermitage collection), images of a Lion, a Griffin and a stylized Tree of Life in the form of two Serpents wrapping around the Chalice of Life are carved. According to the British Museum, the vessels of this group are included in the first hundred outstanding works. material culture common human civilization.
Such cups are unique in that they were used during the coronation of kings and were kept for centuries in the capitals of states. However, there are other opinions that sow doubts, according to one of them, one of the historians said something wrong, or thought wrong, and someone heard something wrong, they say, goblet of St. Hedwig and was not found in Novogrudok, and in Novgorod. But we will continue to hope that the birthplace of this historical discovery is glorious, who more than once stood up for himself during the raids of the crusaders, Novogrudok!
Mound of Immortality
This mound of memory appeared on the Small Castle in honor of the famous poet Adam Mickiewicz. The poet spent all his childhood and youth in Novogrudok - his poetic inclinations also manifested themselves there. In 1924, admirers of the work of Adam Mickiewicz brought with them a handful of earth to the Small Castle and threw it in this place - so by 1930, when the anniversary of the great poet was celebrated, a large mound 17 meters high had grown.
Mount Mindovga
According to legend, it was here that the founder and the first Grand Duke of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania - Mindovg. Mindovg means a lot of thinking. To become the prince of Novogrudok, Mindovg had to accept Christianity. Taking into account the numerous military threats - the Galicia-Volyn principality, the orders of the crusaders, the Mongol invasions and the aggression of the Lithuanian princes Mindovg creates the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which united the Polotsk, Turov-Pinsk, Smolensk principalities, as well as the lands that were inhabited by the tribes of Lithuania, Latygol, Yatvyaz and others. This allowed the inhabitants of its constituent regions to defend their independence and continue social, economic, political and cultural development. Peace was concluded with the Galicia-Volyn prince. Thanks to coronation of Mindaugas The royal crown of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was recognized by all European states. In 1263, Mindovg was buried according to a pagan rite under a mound, which later, in the 17th-18th centuries, turned into a city-wide Christian cemetery, where both Orthodox and Catholics were buried until the 1920s. Some gravestones survived. In 1993 at the foot of Mountains of Mindovga a commemorative sign has been erected.
House Museum of Adam Mickiewicz
A. Mitskevich was born ten kilometers from Novogrudok - in a gentry estate called Zalesye.
The place for building a house in Novogrudok was bought by Adam's father, Nikolai Mitskevich. There was already a basement of a house that belonged to the steward and burned down during a fire in 1751. First, a simple wooden house was built, which was destroyed by fire in 1806-1807. A new stone house was built on the same spot. The Mickiewiczes lived in this house until 1812. Then the family, for lack of funds, leaves this house and goes to live in an outbuilding. The house has since changed hands more than once. During the First World War, German, Polish and Bolshevik military headquarters were quartered in the house. In the 1920s, the Mickiewicz Committee was created in Novogrudok, which in 1937 purchased this house to create a museum. In 1938, a museum of the poet will be opened in this house, in 1941 a German bomb hit the museum, in 1955 the house-museum was rebuilt in its pre-war form and is still operating to this day.
The formation of the state enabled the peoples of this region to defend their independence and created conditions for their further social, political, economic and cultural development.
Ancient buildings of Novogrudok
In the city center, at the construction site new hotel, urban development of the XII-XVIII centuries was discovered. During archaeological sites discovered at least four tiers of buildings preserved here, dated different times. One of the buildings was probably a tavern. This conclusion suggests itself because of the abundance of glassware. Upon completion of the work, elements of urban development will be mothballed and dismantled. Later they will be transported to one of the museums, where they will be exhibited in the same form as in
"Novogrudok" railway
When the first railway lines appeared in Belarus, Novogrudok merchants began to petition for the construction of a separate line in Novogrudok as well. After the Smolensk-Brest railway appeared, the population of Baranovichi began to grow rapidly, so that even the question arose of transferring the center of the Novogrudok pavet to Baranovichi. That's what the railroad meant at that time. However, the first World War. The front line passed nearby and in 1916 the German command began the construction of a narrow gauge railway to the front line. All forces were thrown into construction - the entire able-bodied population, horses, and forests were also cut down. In 1919, with the establishment of Soviet power, the narrow-gauge railway began to actively participate in the economic life of the region and was a significant help in solving the transport issue until buses appeared. The railway gave direct access to Minsk and beyond.
The building appeared in the 1920s railway station(our bus station). In the 40s of the last century, the railway was renovated after the war, and the gauge was widened from 50 centimeters to 75 so that Soviet-made locomotives and wagons could run on it. The road passed through the territory of 11 collective farms, measures were taken so that the animals did not come close to the tracks - fences were erected 31.3 kilometers long along the railway tracks. In winter, the collective farms were obliged to allocate people and carts to fight snow drifts.
Dismantled in 1965 narrow gauge road, and the construction of a broad-gauge railway did not begin - the road lost its significance with the development of motor transport. This narrow-gauge railway connecting Novogrudok and Novoelnya existed for about 50 years.
First wind power plant (WPP)
In May 2011, the official launch of the first wind power plant (WPP) took place, which was installed on a site near former village Robbers. The opening was specially timed to coincide with these days - on May 15, the Belarusian energy system celebrated its 80th anniversary.
The first wind turbine (wind power plant).
It should be recalled that the decision to build a windmill was made back in 2006. According to experts, Novogrudok- most the best place in Belarus for these purposes. Quite strong winds are recorded here. According to meteorologists, average speed- 7 m/s. The wind turbine itself starts at 3 m/s, and starts generating electricity at 4.5 m/s.
Significant dates
1044 - the first mention of Novogrudok.
1253 - coronation of Mindaugas.
1258, 1278 - Mongol-Tatars attacked the castle.
Around 1270 - the sign "Pagonya" was first recorded as the emblem of Novogrudok, and in 1293 "Pagonya" became the sign of the Grand Duke and the coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
1314.1394 - storming of the castle by the crusaders.
1317 - the establishment of an independent Novogrudok metropolis.
1323 - Gedemin transfers the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to Vilnius.
1415 - Council of Orthodox Bishops. Novogrudok becomes the residence of the Orthodox Metropolitan.
1422 - the wedding in the Farny Church of Jagiello and Sophia Golshanskaya.
1428 - Vytautas gives his wife Juliana the Novogrudok castle for life.
1508, 1538 - the Diet of the ON takes place in the city.
1511 - the city received the Magdeburg Law (the right to self-government).
1539 - the first gymnasium in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was opened in Novogrudok.
1581 - until the middle of the 18th century - Novogrudok becomes the venue. sessions of the Main Lithuanian Tribunal - the Supreme Court of Appeal ON.
1596 - after the conclusion of the Brest church union, Novogrudok became the residence of the Uniate metropolitans of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
1605 - 1667 - during the Russian-Polish war, the castle was badly damaged and was destroyed.
1706 - the castle is completely destroyed. The Swedes blew up the remains of the castle.
Mindovg - Grand Duke of Lithuania, founder of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The first and last king of Lithuania from 1235 to 1263.
Vitovt - Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1392 to 1430. Known for a feud with the Polish king Jagiello. He miraculously managed to avoid death at his hands - disguised as a servant, he escaped from the Krevo castle.
Famous people
- Boris Demidovich- Soviet mathematician.
- Fedor Evlashevsky- the first Belarusian memoirist.
- Boris Kit- scientist in the field of astronautics, honorary citizen of the city.
- Adam Miscavige- Belarusian and Polish poet.
- Salomon Rysinsky- the first Belarusian folklorist.
- Johim Khreptovich- Chancellor ON.
- Jan Chechot- Belarusian poet and folklorist.
