Beautiful places for a photo shoot in Grodno. The most interesting sights of Grodno

Do not forget to pay tribute to those who liberated our lands from German invaders during the break between visits to Grodno sights. The Mound of Glory is located on Kosmonavtov Street. In addition to the 18-meter monument, you will find here the Alley of Heroes, plates with commemorative inscriptions, as well as the traditional Eternal Flame.

Borisoglebskaya church

This temple is one of the five surviving churches in Belarus before the Mongol advent. Now this temple, together with the palace and park complex, which is on Castle Hill received the status of historical and architectural reserves. Birth century of Borisoglebskaya or Kolozhskaya (as the locals call it) - XII. By the way, the church provides unusual service: here you can send a letter from the past dated to the centenary of the birth of the attraction, putting in it a wonderful postcard, which you can choose from a great variety right there. Can you imagine, the eyes of your loved ones, when they will receive such a message?! Who knows, maybe the old long-standing tradition of writing letters to each other that has come to life in Grodno will again spread across the planet, literally living on the Web?! Church coordinates - Rybatskaya street, No. 6/1.

The cathedral church on Sovetskaya Square, previously bearing the name "Farny" is a kind of architectural monument of the 17th century. Once this church and the Jesuit monastery functioning here occupied two whole city blocks and were considered the richest in the vastness of the Commonwealth. Be sure to admire the clock, which is also an attraction, as it is the oldest clock in Europe that has survived. Their mechanism, imagine, was made in the 15th century, and it still has not broken. Quality used to do things, right?!

Bernardine Church

The temple has a functioning monastery adjacent to the main building, so the complex looks like a single whole. Today it is one of the largest churches in Grodno, but due to the ongoing expansion of buildings, it is likely that it will soon take the first step in the hit parade in terms of scale. This temple is architectural masterpiece, which is a combination of several styles, including Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance. The foundation of the building was laid back in 1494, meanwhile the construction of the church lasted for centuries - first a monastery, then a church, then a chapel. Inside you will find not only wonderful decoration, but also figures of 12 apostles, an organ from the 17th century and many, many future priests, because the Roman Catholic Higher Seminary is now located here.

Grodno knows how to surprise. Among the great variety of various sights, there is also the oldest pharmacy in the country, and it is interesting not only for this reason. Firstly, the pharmacy is still open and you can shop there. Secondly, the building in which it is located is also a landmark in itself, since it was built in the 18th century. Thirdly, here you can follow the line of development of pharmacology in Belarus, the museum exposition is constantly replenished. Free admission. There is an unusual pharmacy on Sovetskaya Square, it is open (except Sundays and Mondays) from 9 am to 5 pm.

This attraction (scientifically - the Teratological Museum) is only 3 years old, but the Kunstkamera immediately became one of the leaders in terms of attendance. Firstly, to study anatomy, you see, it is interesting. Secondly, the exhibits for the museum have been collected for more than a hundred years, today such a collection is no longer possible, because diagnostics is developing by leaps and bounds. The number of exhibits tends to 100. The guides here are teachers, including professors, so you can answer any question based on vast experience and deep knowledge. A ticket costs 10 thousand BYR, that is, less than 1 USD. Come from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm except Wednesday and Thursday. Want more details? Go to www.grsmu.by/page/open/review/693.

After getting acquainted with the architectural, historical and anatomical exhibits, it does not hurt to make friends with Grodno nature, moreover, there is a real green paradise on earth - Gilibert Park, rather reminiscent of a piece of Switzerland.
Jean Gilibert was a great biologist who arrived in Grodno in 1775 to study plants. He collected herbariums, studied the use of herbs and flowers in everyday life and became the founder botanical garden, who sheltered 2000 green specimens on his possessions. After 8 years, the scientist returned to his homeland - to Lyon, and the local authorities expanded the territory, turning it into a park. It is amazingly beautiful here, wonderful waterfalls murmur, benches and gazebos are installed, and attractions also work. They say that the most juicy pictures are obtained precisely in Gilibert Park, which is “registered” at the address - 1st May Street. Would you like to check?

We will continue the journey along the nature trails of the Grodno region, look into ancient city, named after the river flowing here - Oshmyany. Cleaner air and scenic surroundings seem hard to come by. Enjoy these natural gifts between sightseeing in the city. Historians claim that the Oshmyanys were born before the 10th century, but no one has named the exact date. However, this is not so important, the main thing is that you can become its welcome guest and walk along the old streets, touch the ancient buildings. Here you will be received in the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, and in the Ascension Church, and in the synagogue, and at the water mill, by the way, which is still operating.

Duda village and Church of the Virgin Mary

Do you want to get an impression of how the villagers of the area live? Then welcome to Dudy - an ancient settlement that arose in the 18th century. There is a special structure of houses, accuracy in everything, cheerful inhabitants and the spirit of the village, the real one - Belarusian. Don't forget to visit the Church of the Virgin Mary. Although this is a rural temple built of wood, nevertheless, the baroque style, towers, bell tower and everything else that a church should have is here. And nature... there are no words to describe this beauty. Who knows, perhaps this is where your most successful photo session in nature will take place ?!

Since we started talking about nature, we will continue this line by getting acquainted with animals and other representatives of the fauna - the inhabitants of the Grodno Zoo. Once it was the only one in Belarus, but now it has the status of the richest zoo in Belarus in terms of collection. Today, more than 3,000 inhabitants, representing more than 300 species, live here. If desired, you can use the help of a guide. The gates of the zoo open at 10 am, you can come until 7 pm. Coordinates - Timiryazev Street, No. 11. You will be charged for a ticket: adults - 40 thousand BYR, which is a little more than 3 USD, children under 14 years old - half as much, and crumbs under 6 years old will be completely free.

And for dessert - water attractions. Although the water park is not very large, in addition to entertainment, there is also a treatment block where you can take a course of underwater massage, do water aerobics or in a health group, take a steam bath in a variety of baths and saunas. There is also a solarium and a sports center, and they also teach you how to swim. Children will also be happy with slides, fountains, an artificial river, a pool and other entertainment in the water. Address - Gorky Street, No. 82. The water park opens early - at 7 am (except Sundays - at 10.00) and works until late, closing at 10 pm. An hourly visit to the water zone with attractions for adults costs 45 thousand BYR, which is equal to 3 USD, for children it is 20% cheaper. Look for prices for other entertainment and services here - www.aquacenter.by/index.php/price.

Another water attraction (only of a natural nature) is waiting for you in the Grodno region. A UNESCO ward is the Augustow Canal, which has the status of a monument of hydrotechnical architecture, born in 1824. The channel passes not only through the territory of Belarus, but also through the expanses of Poland, however, you can admire more than 22 kilometers of this unusual attraction, as well as its three gateways. Now the channel has become a joy for fans of different types water tourism. Here you can go sailing or fishing.

What can I say... Grodno knows how to surprise! A fairy tale is a fairy tale, to fascinate and cause a desire to return to it.

Grodno stands on the border with Poland on the banks of the Neman. The city has been known since the 10th century as a center of crafts, trade and arts. The first thing that catches your eye here is the incredible number of temples built 300-400 years ago. Among them there are Catholic churches, Orthodox churches, a Lutheran church and a synagogue. There are many monasteries in Grodno, which indicates the fact that there was a very active religious life in the city.

Of great interest are also civil buildings - the mansions of statesmen from the time of the Commonwealth, fortresses, castles and city buildings. On the one hand, Grodno streets and squares have a typical of Eastern Europe appearance and architecture, on the other hand, they look quite well-groomed and modern, as if they were specially cleaned and restored for the arrival of tourists.

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What to see and where to go in Grodno?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

In the 18th century, the site of the park was the largest botanical garden in Europe, laid out by the French biologist J. E. Gilibert. The scientist arrived in Grodno at the invitation of the mayor and opened a medical academy. It was the first higher education in Belarus educational institution. Thus, the history of the park began with a small apothecary garden, which grew into a full-fledged garden with hundreds of plants from around the world.

One of the oldest streets in the historical center of Grodno, about 500 meters long. Buildings of the 19th - early 20th centuries have been almost completely preserved here, there are even earlier buildings dating back to the 15th-17th centuries. Also on the street there are many entertainment and cultural institutions. A walk along the cobblestones of Sovetskaya Street is an obligatory part tourist route in Grodno.

The largest zoo in Belarus, for a long time - the only one in the country. It was founded in 1927 as a zoological department on the initiative of enthusiasts from the local society of nature lovers. By 1936, the number of animals increased to 400, among them were large exotic predators. During the Second World War, many inhabitants died, the rest were taken to Königsberg. Restoration began in 1945 with a pair of donkeys, deer and one peacock.

A defensive structure of the 11th century, built at the time when Grodno became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The remains of a 14th-century fortress built under Prince Vytautas, who turned the military bastion into a castle-residence, have survived to this day. In the 17th century the complex was destroyed by Russian troops, in the 18th century by the Swedes. Both times the castle was restored, but, nevertheless, it failed to preserve its original architectural appearance.

The Royal Palace of the 18th century, which served as the summer residence of the Lithuanian and Polish kings. It was built according to the project of K. F. Peppelman in the neoclassical style with elements of rococo. It was here that the historic agreement on the division of the Commonwealth between Russia and Prussia was signed, after which this state ceased to exist. The original building burned down in 1944 and was rebuilt in 1952.

The Catholic Cathedral, which has the status of a minor basilica. The building was built in the 17th century as part of a Jesuit monastery - one of the richest monasteries of the Commonwealth of that time. The prevailing architectural style of the building is baroque; plastic, painting and sculpture were generously used in the interior decoration. Many decorative elements of the interior are of great artistic value.

The basilica of the 16th-17th centuries, which, as a result of numerous reconstructions, acquired the features of several styles: baroque, gothic and renaissance. The interior of the church has retained its unique appearance of three hundred years ago, and the organ of the 17th century is of particular value. The building is perfectly preserved, despite the fact that in Soviet times it fell into some desolation. On this moment the church is active.

The ensemble is considered an architectural monument of the early Baroque. It was built in the first half of the 17th century at the expense of K. Veselovsky, a statesman of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The decline of the monastery began in the 19th century, as a result of which, by the beginning of the 20th century, almost all the nuns left it. In Soviet times, it was located here medical institution, in 1990 the complex was returned to the Catholics.

The current Catholic monastery, founded in 1635. Initially, all the buildings were made of wood, in 1660 the construction of a stone church in the Baroque style began. In the period 1863-1919, the monastery was used as a prison for Polish clergy, and later functioned as a Franciscan monastery. At the moment, the complex is in operation - novices and monks live in it.

An Orthodox monastery, which until the middle of the 19th century (before the transition of Grodno under the protectorate of the Russian Empire) was Catholic. To organize monastic life, the abbesses and novices from the Orsha Monastery moved here. The institution existed until the 1960s, after which it was closed. Monastic life resumed in the 1990s, while the dilapidated buildings began to be restored.

The temple is located on the banks of the Neman. It is a rare monument of the period Ancient Rus', preserved on the territory of Western Belarus. Presumably, the building was erected in the 12th century and consecrated in honor of Princes Boris and Gleb. Already by the 16th century, the church fell into decay as a result of frequent raids by the crusaders and the reign of the Catholic branch of Christianity in this area. Currently, despite its emergency condition, the temple is functioning.

The first Jewish temple in Grodno was built in the 16th century according to the project of S. Gucci, but the building burned down in 1617. The same fate befell the next building. The modern and third synagogue was built according to the project of I. Frunkin in 1905 in an eclectic manner with predominant Moorish elements. During the Second World War, the rich interior decor was badly damaged, which began to be actively restored in the 1990s.

Orthodox church of the beginning of the 20th century, built in the retrospective Russian style according to the project of M. M. Prozorov. The cathedral was dedicated to the memory of those killed in the Battle of Tsushima and in the Battle of Port Arthur. Unlike other religious institutions, it worked continuously both during the years of the German occupation and during the persecution of religion in the Soviet period. In the 2000s, on the eve of the 100th anniversary, the complex was thoroughly restored.

The only Protestant church in Grodno that is currently operating. It was built at the expense of the wealthy German community in the middle of the 19th century. In 1912, the first reconstruction was carried out. After the majority of Germans left Grodno following the results of two World Wars, the church stood in desolation until the authorities adapted it for storage. In 1995, the building was handed over to the resurgent Lutheran community.

Drama stage building - original architectural monument, immediately attracting interested eyes. It was built in the 1980s from reinforced concrete structures and bricks. The shape of the building resembles an inverted crown. Nowhere else in Grodno and the surrounding cities are such buildings found. G. Mochulsky worked on an unusual project.

The puppet theater is the oldest stage in Belarus. It is housed in an 18th-century building and is surrounded by the Gilibert Park. The building has been used as a theater stage since the beginning of the 19th century. Over the following decades, it was reconstructed several times in order to accommodate performances and accommodate a sufficient number of spectators. The puppet theater has been here since the 1980s.

The collection was founded in 1977, but then it was called the Republican Museum of Atheism and the History of Religion. The exposition was originally located in convent, but after the return of the church building, the exhibits were moved to the palace of Karol Khreptovich - a Baroque mansion of the middle of the 18th century. In the halls of the museum you can see a historical retrospective of all religions that existed on the territory of Belarus.

The Kunstkamera in Grodno opened in 2012; exhibits for it were collected almost throughout the entire 20th century. Today it would be impossible to implement, given the current level of development of medicine. The collection is housed in an 18th-century building that once housed the gallery of King Augustus II. The exposition is located in two halls: normal and pathological anatomy. Examples of exhibits: lungs of a smoker, liver of an alcoholic, embryos with pathologies.

The oldest pharmacy in Belarus, opened in 1709 at a Jesuit monastery and successfully operated until the 1950s. There is a version that the institution has been operating since 1687. Museum exposition located in three halls, where you can learn about the history of the development of the pharmaceutical business for hundreds of years. But, nevertheless, most of the items belong to the XIX-XX centuries.

M. A. Bogdanovich is a Belarusian classical poet. He was born in Minsk and lived in Grodno with his parents in the period 1892-1896. The museum on the territory of the Bogdanovich house was organized in 1986. The opening of the exposition was preceded by painstaking work: the reconstruction of interiors, the collection of things belonging to the family and archival documents. By 1995, the collection included more than 13,000 items.

The Belarusian writer Eliza Ozheshko has gained popularity not only in her country - her work is highly valued in Poland. The museum named after her is located in the house, which is an exact copy of the building where Eliza lived until her death in 1910. The museum opened in 1958, in 1976 it was decided to completely dismantle the dilapidated building and build a new one.

The fire station and tower were built at the end of the 19th century after a devastating fire that killed 600 houses. After the tragedy, residents decided that it was better to spend money once than to suffer from possible fires in the future. The tower is a building of six tiers, made of brick. It is adjacent to the rectangular depot building. The last floor of the tower serves as an observation post, where a spiral staircase leads.

Two towers 20 meters high, industrial monuments 19th architecture- early 20th century. Nowadays, they house art workshops. There are similar structures in many cities of Russia and Belarus, but it is in Grodno that two towers are located nearby, which was due to the peculiarities of the water supply system. During the reconstruction, one tower was repainted in soft pink, the other in beige.

The system of fortifications that took shape during the 12th - 20th centuries. IN different time it belonged to the German and Russian empires, as well as the Polish Republic. The fortress did not lose its military significance until the end of World War II, as a result of which it was badly damaged. Several forts, cellars and observation posts have survived to this day.

A navigable canal with a length of more than 100 km, connecting the Vistula with the Neman and located on the territory of Belarus and Poland. It is located in a specially protected area, placed under the protection of UNESCO, and is a monument of engineering architecture. For tourism purposes, it was used from the 1920s until the outbreak of World War II. A repeated surge of interest in this place occurred at the end of the 20th century.

Grodno is a city in Belarus, one of the oldest in the CIS. Grodno has a 10-century history. The city has gone through many historical periods, which are directly reflected in its appearance. Among the attractions on the territory of Grodno are the castle, several cathedrals and churches. All this creates a feeling of the real Middle Ages. Below is a list of the most significant sightseeing Grodno which should be looked at first.

One of the oldest and most popular sights of Grodno is Sovetskaya Street. It is located in the central part of the city and has a length of 500 meters. It originates from Sovietskaya Square. There are many attractions on the street - old buildings, administrative buildings, and cultural institutions. European architecture is clearly visible on Sovetskaya Street in Grodno. Some buildings were erected in the 15th century. Here is the most old pharmacy Belarus, opened in 1709. The street is incredibly cozy and beautiful. No trip to Grodno should be complete without a walk along Sovetskaya.

2. Pharmacy Museum in Grodno

The Pharmacy Museum is an interesting attraction to visit in Grodno, located on Sovetskaya Street. It was founded in 1709 and has experienced many historical events. The pharmacy functioned even during times of wars and cataclysms. It is not surprising that today it has the status of a pharmacy-museum. In one part of the building there is a museum, in the other - a functioning pharmacy. The museum part presents a wide variety of specimens: ancient medicines, pharmacy utensils, medical supplies, books and much more.

3. Aquapark Grodno

If you are thinking about a vacation in Grodno, you should pay attention to the best entertainment attraction - the city's main water park. Comfortable swimming pools await guests here, waterslides, hydromassage departments, as well as a Finnish sauna, Turkish and Russian baths and a solarium. In a word, everything is provided here for a comfortable stay between visits to other attractions.

The Grodno Zoo is the largest in Belarus, founded back in 1927. total area the zoo is 5.35 hectares. In total, there are more than 3,000 animals of different species. In the zoo you can get acquainted with various mammals, amphibians, rodents, birds, fish, etc. This is a great sight of Grodno for a walk with the whole family.

If you do not know what to see in Grodno, we also recommend that you look at these two large water towers, which at the same time have the status of a monument of industrial architecture. Their construction was carried out at the end of the 19th century. The height of both towers exceeds 20 m. Now they house artists' workshops. A visit to this attraction is recommended for those who are interested in creating paintings and other objects of painting.

6. Grodno Castle

The castle is one of the most famous places in the city of Grodno. The first building on the site of the castle was erected at the beginning of the 11th century. It was a simple wooden defensive fortification. In 1398, under the leadership of the commanders of the Lithuanian principality, a stone building was erected on the site of a wooden building. gothic castle. During the period of its existence, the castle was destroyed several times and passed from one hand to another. Restoration work began in 2015.

Home religious landmark in Grodno- The Catholic Cathedral, the construction of which was carried out in the period from 1647 to 1667. Architectural style cathedral - baroque. The cathedral has a beautiful appearance and rich interior decoration. Various sculptures and elements of painting are widely used in the interior. Inside you can see a beautiful attraction of the temple - a multi-figure composition, which includes more than 40 sculptures. Also in the cathedral there are rich collections of iconostasis and frescoes.

Boris and Gleb Church in Grodno is one of the few sights that have been preserved in Belarus from the period of Ancient Rus'. This church is located on the banks of the Neman River, built in the Romanesque style. Over the centuries, parts of the church have collapsed several times, but it has retained its appearance until today. This is a real gem of ancient Russian architecture.

9. Gilibert Park in Grodno

Gilibert Park was founded in 1775 by the French explorer Jean Gilibert. For many years Gilibert Park was considered one of the best botanical gardens in Europe. Unfortunately, the botanical garden has not survived to this day. Not his place today is located cozy park allowing you to relax and enjoy nature. This attraction is famous for its beautiful alleys, gazebos, small rivers, openwork bridges and numerous statues.

Grodno - cozy and beautiful town having rich history. A huge number of sights of Grodno are saturated centuries of history countries. Today Grodno deservedly bears the status of one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe.

Grodno is one of the most ancient and beautiful cities in Belarus. At one time, it was even proudly called the "cultural capital" of the country.

After reading the article, you will find out why this city deserved such a loud name. You will learn about interesting places in Grodno and look with photos and detailed descriptions.

And we have prepared for you several exciting routes that will help you get acquainted with the main sights of Grodno and its environs in just 1-2 days!

Architecture

Acquaintance with the architecture of Grodno, we suggest starting with an inspection Holy Intercession Cathedral located on Ozheshko street.

This very beautiful building, decorated with domes, stucco and a ten-meter bell tower in the form of an octagonal tent, was erected in 1904. The inside of the temple is also very beautiful; it contains several revered icons and shrines.

Cathedral of Saint Francis Xavier- the only part large complex monastery of the Jesuits, which in our time performs its religious function. It is located on Sovetskaya Street, 4. The cathedral is decorated with sculptures and paintings, it has a magnificent altar and a carved iconostasis. The frescoes decorating the arched niches and vaults are also very beautiful.

Borisoglebskaya Kolozha Church- one of the oldest in the city. It has been preserved since pre-Mongolian times. You will find a church on the banks of the Neman River on Rybatskaya Street. Unfortunately, part of the church was destroyed by a landslide.

What else can a tourist see in Grodno?

• Lutheran church (street May 1, 5);
• Batorievka Palace (K. Marx St., 1);
• Former Fine-cloth factory (Mostovaya st., 39);
• Church of the Nativity of the Virgin (Novozamkova St., 3);
• Merchant Muravyov's House (Sovietskaya sq., 2);

• New castle (Zamkovaya street, 20);
• Bernardine Monastery (St. Paris Commune, 1);
• Old Royal Castle (Zamkovaya St., 22);
• Fire tower (Zamkovaya street, 19).

Monuments

Bronze three-meter sculpture " Cover Holy Mother of God » on Ozheshko Street near the walls of the Holy Intercession Cathedral – one of the most beautiful and majestic in the city.

In Grodno there is another very beautiful and unusual sculpture made by the same author - Vladimir Panteleev. This - " wave girl”, symbolizing the river Gorodnichanka. You can find it in Gilibert Park.

In the same park there is another famous monument - mass grave Soviet soldiers and partisans, in which 50 soldiers of the Soviet army are buried. The monument depicts a soldier, an obelisk crowned with a gold star.

Other monuments of Grodno, which, if desired, can be seen in just 1 day:

• Bust of Yanka Kupala;
• Monument to V. D. Sokolovsky;
• Monument to V. I. Lenin;
• Davydov stone;

• Sign "Zero kilometer";
• Monument to soldiers-liberators;
• Monument to Vitovt;
• Monument to E. Ozheshko.

Museums

Grodno historical Museum located on Castle Hill. It includes Royal Palace(XVI c), the ruins of the Lower and Upper Church, as well as the Prince's Terem, dated to the XII century, fragments of the defensive walls of the XVI-XIX centuries. and the oldest stone bridge, which has preserved on the territory of Belarus since the 18th century. The main exposition is located in the building of the Old Royal Castle.

Museum of the History of Religion – unique place dedicated to the study of the history of religions of different peoples and modern religious movements. Here are rare books, cult objects and works of art. The museum has a library containing about 15,000 volumes. You can also find this museum on Zamkowa Street.

Grodno can surprise and shock you iron museum(street Sovetskaya 7-23) and Grodno Cabinet of Curiosities(St. K. Marx, 1).

Here are some other museums you should definitely visit:

• Tourist complex "Korobchitsy" (Grodno region, village of Korobchitsy);
• Museum of the History of the Fire Service (Zamkova St., 19);
• Pharmacy-Museum (street Sovetskaya, 4).

Parks and recreation

Grodno Zhiliber Park in the city center will be a great place for a walk. Once upon a time in its place was the well-known throughout Europe Gilibert's botanical garden. At the entrance to the park there is a monument to this famous scientist. Unfortunately, now almost nothing remains of the famous garden. However, tireless attempts are being made to recreate at least part of the splendor that reigned here in ancient times.

Embankment in Grodno- this is the bank of the Neman River, on which there are traces of all historical eras. Initially, only near the Old Castle, the coast was lined with stone boulders. Later all coastline paved with stone, and then a stone pavement appeared, and a staircase under stone bridge, which was symbolically called the staircase of "lovers".

swiss valley- Another a good place for recreation in the valley of the river Yuridzika. It's picturesque green Park With beautiful lake and, at the same time, an important historical site.

What can you see in Grodno in one day?

We invite you to visit the sights of the city of Grodno, collected in the list-route:

1) Let's start the journey on Sovetskaya Street. There are many beautiful shops and restaurants.

2) We go out to Sovetskaya Square, where the Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier is located.

3) To the left of it is the Pharmacy Museum.

4) We examine the Drama Theater.

5) If you wish, we go down to an abandoned brewery (for an amateur).

6) We pass to the Neman embankment, go past the New and Old Castles.

7) We cross the bridge over Gorodnichanka and see the Borisoglebskaya (Kolozhskaya) church.

2 day

1. We will start the day with a tour of the Borisoglebskaya Kolozhskaya Church.
2. Then we will go to the Market Square.
3. In its vicinity we find Bernardine, Brigid and Franciscan Catholic monasteries.
4. Let's go to the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin.
5. If you wish, you can walk along the Embankment, visit the Swiss Valley, or just walk around the city and buy souvenirs.

Grodno is one of the oldest cities in Belarus, where you can feel the atmosphere of history and culture. But if you are a fan of extreme sports, then it will help to get enough of pleasant emotions. ski resort. An article about the features of skiing will help you get acquainted with the basic rules of behavior on the slope:

Video about what a tourist needs to see in Grodno

This video clip shows the sights of the city from a bird's eye view. IN summary the most significant objects and monuments of architecture were provided. We recommend to look through and make sure how beautiful and diverse Grodno is.

Where can you go with a child in Grodno?

Tourists who come to the city of Grodno with children are invited to visit the following attractions:

• Grodno Zoo on the street. Timiryazev, 11 - at one time it was the first zoo opened in Belarus. Bears, small predators, birds and mountain ungulates live here.
• IN Grodno aquatic center on st. Gorkogo, 82 you will find a swimming pool complex, a jacuzzi, water cascades, an artificial river and two slides.
• Park Gilibert can please your kids with a variety of attractions.

Grodno is very diverse and interesting city. As for me, vivid memories of his visit fully compensate for the time spent on the trip.

Did you like Grodno?

If you love Belarus and want to see the country from an unusual side, then I recommend coming to western city Grodno, where you can walk along typical Eastern European streets, visit ancient churches, find castles and other attractions. The puppet-European town, perhaps the best preserved in Belarus, is fundamentally different from other cities in the country - it looks like a real foreigner against the backdrop of Soviet development.

To make it easier for you to navigate the city, I have compiled a list of the main sights of Grodno that are interesting to see even seasoned tourist. And if you have never been abroad, then visiting Grodno will become a European adventure.

We begin to learn about the city of Grodno from the Ipatiev Chronicle of the 12th century, as a city on the border with the Balts and the Principality of Polotsk. Perhaps the name of the city is closely related to the words "to fence or protect", because Grodno had to perform the protective functions of the Old Russian state. However, soon the situation changed dramatically - Grodno passed to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, became a strong and significant city, the second after the capital. As is known from the school history course, the Principality of Lithuania united with Poland, as a result of which a new state appeared - the Commonwealth. Grodno grew and grew stronger, so now we can observe architecture that is strange for Russia. After the division of the Commonwealth, the city came under the rule of the Russian Empire, and then to the Byelorussian SSR. Due to its border location, Grodno was one of the first to be captured by the Nazis at the beginning of the Second World War, but, fortunately, the war was won, the wounds of the war were healed, and now we can enjoy the beautiful architecture of the city under a peaceful sky.

The center and heart of the city is Sovetskaya Square, from which it is convenient to start exploring the city. We also lived in one of the most the best hotels Grodno - Neman 4 *, which is located on this square.

On the map, I marked the sections of the city with colors, as if grouping the sights into three groups.
Here you can download tourist maps Grodno (clickable pictures), plus in any bookstore, in any stall like our Soyuzpechat, you can buy a paper map of the city.

"Blue Group" of attractions

So, let's go see the sights of the "blue group". First of all, the magnificent church attracts attention.

Church of St. Francis Xavier or Farny Church

Sovetskaya Square

This is one of the most beautiful Catholic churches in Belarus. The temple was built almost a hundred years XVI-XVII century by the Jesuit order. At the consecration of the church, the allies in the Northern War, King of the Commonwealth August II and Emperor of the Russian Empire Peter I were invited.

The appearance of the church and its decoration has not changed much since that time, it amazes with the richness of gilded balustrades and balconies and magnificent statues of saints. For a long time the church was farny, that is, the main parish church.

Another highlight of the church is the clock on the tower. The mechanism itself dates back to the 15th century, but the clock was installed here much later, they used to decorate the old town hall. But, nevertheless, they still count the time very accurately today.

In close proximity to the church there is a museum-pharmacy, distinguished by its venerable age. In general, in Grodno we observed an extraordinary love for pharmacies, where you won’t turn your head in the center - a pharmacy.

Ancient pharmacy

Sovetskaya Square, 4

Interestingly, this is the oldest pharmacy in Belarus. It was founded by the Jesuits in 1709 for the needs of the city. There has been a pharmacy on this site for three centuries, and today, just like in the 18th century, you can buy medicines here. The pharmacy building is divided into three parts, one of which is reserved for the museum. It presents an exposition of ancient bottles, with various drugs and ancient devices for making various mixtures.

The tourist pride of the city is the pedestrian Sovetskaya Street, which originates from the square. A cobbled street with European architecture, funny Belarusian signs, cozy cafes.

Pedestrianized street

st. Soviet

Getting here does not leave the feeling that you are walking along provincial town, somewhere in Hungary or Poland. Two-story, old buildings, forged lanterns, geraniums on the windows. The street seemed to be frozen in time.

Each building has its own history, and walking along Pedestrian Street is pleasant both during the day and in the evening when all these buildings are illuminated with soft, warm light.

There are many souvenir shops and cafes here, we especially liked the NAME cafe, which has a patio, and they serve wonderful desserts, smoothies and aromatic coffee here. More hearty dishes are on the menu, but we went in for coffee.

Continuing the path, you can go to a few more sights of the city. Sovetskaya Street smoothly turns into Lenin Square, which is hard not to recognize thanks to its typical architecture. Although in Grodno even on such a square there is something European. Further, you will see a park juicy with vegetation, which you can pass by, or you can go in and relax.

Park them. Gilibert

From st. Ozheshko to Lenin Square

The Jean Emmanuel Gilibert Park is located on the site of the botanical garden, where this amazing scientist grew rare plants. Part of the park is still called "Swiss Valley" for the similarity of landscapes.

Today this is one of the most beautiful places in Grodno, where you can walk in silence and admire the picturesque landscapes. The park is constantly ennobled and replenished with new exhibits. Beautiful forged benches, a mermaid by a small pond, Jean Gilbert himself, resting on a bench, beautiful flower beds and skillfully trimmed shrubs, nice art objects.

Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Ozheshko street 23

It was built in memory of the fallen soldiers in the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. The style of a similar temple of the military garrison in Peterhof is taken as a basis. The architectural style of the cathedral is reminiscent of native Russian buildings, with elegant, lacy facades - a very beautiful cathedral.

After the restoration, many icons of unusual themes appeared in the cathedral, which describe the period of persecution of Orthodox Christians during the Soviet era. The icons depict the arrests of priests, the trials of Chekists, the destruction of churches.

It is interesting to come here not only as a temple of faith, but also from a historical point of view, history is presented here in a very unusual way.

If you turn your head to the left, you can see a pretty Kirche, which is literally a hundred steps away.

kirkha

st. May Day 5

At the end of the 18th century, the Germans came to Grodno to build manufactories. The local headman gave them an old tavern for services, which was rebuilt into a church. The building was completed and rebuilt many times until it acquired its present form. The architectural style of the church is very close to Gothic, but it also has its own nuances.

Inside, the church is ascetic: only stained-glass windows on the windows are among the decorations. Previously, the building was decorated with a high spire, which, according to various sources, was destroyed either during the war, as a sniper sat there or so that the building did not exceed the Pokrovsky Cathedral.

This is the only functioning church in Grodno.

This is part of the urban development of the period of the second half of the 18th century, just in this area, when Tyzengauz, a well-known politician and philanthropist of that time, ruled the city, did a lot for Grodno.

Here you can see both residential and commercial buildings, made in different styles. In order to learn the history of Grodno and about each surviving building, it is worth visiting the museum located in the old master's house at ul. Ozheshko 37.

The buildings are located on the streets of Gorky, Dzerzhinsky, Ozheshko and Tyzengauz Square, many of them still perform their functions, almost every one has a sign with the year of construction.

city ​​zoo

st. Timiryazev 11

This is the first zoo in Belarus. There are no expositions with rare animals, but it is still very interesting to visit.

The zoo is conditionally divided into several zones: predators, ungulates, small animals and for the smallest "Grandmother's Corner", where you can watch the life of pets, pet a rabbit or a goat, feed a guinea pig - now a fashionable petting zoo.

Separately, you can visit a small terrarium with snakes and lizards.

We were not personally interested in the zoo, so we turned around and went back to Sovetskaya Square.

"Green Group" of attractions

On the square you will see a specific theater building, from which we will start a walk through the castle part of Grodno.

Grodno Regional Drama Theater

st. Mostovaya, 35

A contrast to the old part and an unusual facet of Grodno will be the regional theater for the guests of the city. The building was built in 1984 in the Art Nouveau style and resembles a bulky organ. The theater itself is located on a hill, and a long staircase goes to it, which adds grandeur and monumentality to the building.

In the evening, the theater is beautifully illuminated, which makes it look like fairytale palace. Near the entrance interesting statue with Pegasus. The theater is operational and open to the public.

Behind you will be the Church of the Mother of God from the angels, which you can also go into.

Church of the Mother of God from the Angels

st. Titova 11a

A beautiful, slender building on the banks of the Neman, from where amazing views of the river open up. The building of the church was built in the 18th century in the Baroque style. It was rebuilt several times after fires, so the style is not preserved everywhere.

Very nice church interior. The decoration is rich: stucco, gilding, graceful columns, and carved balconies. Color palette The interior is designed in golden-cream tones, which gives the room a real royal luxury. Photography is not allowed, so take my word for it.

The miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Angels is kept in the church.

But back to the theatre. It is worth going behind him, as it will open before your eyes beautiful landscape steep banks of the Neman River. Below is a fairly popular restaurant in Grodno with a view of the water NAME, on the opposite bank there is a beautiful church.

Church of the Discovery of the Holy Cross

st. Podgornaya

This beautiful and unusual Bernardine church can be seen from almost any part of Grodno. The church was built in the period of the XV-XVIII centuries and all the styles of those periods were reflected in its architecture. Here you can see the airiness of the Renaissance, the majesty of the Gothic and the luxury of the Baroque.

The monastery today houses a theological seminary, but services are held in the church. We did not get to the church, but the guidebook promised a rich interior decoration: exquisite stucco, intricate stained-glass windows, the altar is decorated with brown marble, against which the snow-white statues look especially sublime.

We shift our gaze to the right and see the New Castle, located next to the theater.

new castle

st. Castle 20

The new castle was built as the summer residence of the Polish kings. Together with the old castle, it was combined into one complex. Behind the modest façade hides the real royal luxury of the interiors. The castle building houses a historical museum where you can learn more about the history of the city. Unfortunately, we were in Grodno on Monday, so we could not get into the museum. It's good that at least the area was open.

Interestingly, it was in the New Castle that the famous “silent” Sejm took place in 1793, which marked the second division of the Commonwealth. It is worth noting that the building in its original form has not survived to this day, the castle was almost completely destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. After the war, the regional committee of the party was located here, which is still reminiscent of the star on the spire. The castle is quite a Soviet one, so we go to the neighboring Old Castle.

old lock

st. Castle 22

The old castle above the Neman was the favorite residence of the Polish king Stefan Batory. Much is connected with his name here, he turned this castle into a real palace. But even before the fortress was not left without attention, the place is already very tasty.

Today, little is left of the former splendor of the castle, but the old walls retain their grandeur and monumentality, in some places restoration is underway. The city and the castle are connected by an arch, picturesque bridge, built much later, instead of a wooden one. The castle is interesting both from the inside and outside, especially lovers of beautiful photographs will like it.

Within the walls of the castle is a museum, which was also closed on Monday.

I want to note the beauty of the ramparts that surround the castle.

Without leaving Zamkova Street, pay attention to the fire tower.

Fire Tower

After the fire, which destroyed more than 600 houses in Grodno, the residents started building their own fire system. For this, an architect was sent from St. Petersburg, who designed and built a tower and a fire station. Time of construction dates back to 1900

The height of the tower is equal to an eight-story building, at that time it was the highest city ​​building with a view of Grodno. Today, if you look at observation deck the fireman is still standing and watching the city. True, this is all just a mannequin dressed in an old firefighter uniform.

On the facade of the fire station there is a large fresco, painted much later in Soviet times - the spirit of the workers is immediately visible. But if you look closely, the extreme girl is exactly the Leonard Gioconda - and you don’t need to go to the Louvre.

Going down, you can see the synagogue.

Grodno State Museum of the History of Religion

The Museum of Religion is represented by a wide exposition, which tells about the beliefs of local residents, starting from the pre-Christian period. There are pagan idols, figurines of mothers of the family, ancient charms. The exhibition also includes items different religions which are represented in Grodno. There are both Christian icons and Muslim books, which, although written in Arabic script, are in Polish-Belarusian.

The period of Soviet power is also covered in detail, where not only atheistic posters are presented, but also books that scientifically proved that there is no God.

Very often the museum presents temporary exhibitions on the themes of city life, life or religion.

Grodno Choral Synagogue

The Great Choral Synagogue can rightfully be considered one of the oldest in Europe. The first building was built in the 16th century, but was later destroyed. The modern synagogue incorporated ancient walls and preserved chapels into its architecture. The style of construction itself is interesting, which resembles southern Spanish houses, with a rich Moorish flavor. In the prayer hall, beautiful stucco has been preserved, which speaks of the former grandeur and wealth of the building.

It is worth noting that this synagogue has become a monument to the victims of the Second World War. It was here that Jews were kept before being sent to concentration camps. Today the synagogue is open and divine services are being held, but there are about 50 parishioners left. But before the war there were 44 synagogues in Grodno alone.

Monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin

st. Gorodenskogo 3

Located near the Old and New Castles, the monastery has an ancient history. The walls of the first monastery grew back in 1633 on the site of the church. It was a Uniate Basilian monastery, later transferred to an Orthodox parish.

The monastery was often rebuilt and therefore outwardly it does not attract attention, except for the unusual black domes of the temple, painted with golden stars.

In the inner courtyard, the abundance of flowers is striking, a caring female hand is felt. It is also worth marking the temple where the miraculous icon is kept. Mother of God Vladimirskaya, which began to stream myrrh.

And now it's time to talk about the treasure of Grodno, one of its main attractions.

Church of St. Boris and Gleb (Kolozhskaya Church)

st. Rybatskaya 6/1

Church of St. Boris and Gleb is one of the five oldest buildings Belarus, built in the distant 12th century. The temple was repeatedly destroyed. The last happened in 1853, when the eastern part of the wall collapsed during a landslide. But it was replaced with wood.

On the surviving walls you can see an interesting mosaic, which is a bit reminiscent of the Byzantine style.

According to legend, the most famous commander Danila Grodno was buried near the walls of the Borisoglebskaya church. Today, the temple is open to parishioners, services are held.

"Pink Group" of attractions

Returning to Sovetskaya Square, you can walk around another district of Grodno, where you can also feel like you are in Europe. We went out to Karl Marx Street and wandered through the lanes and wide streets densely packed with cars.

Church of the Annunciation

st. Karl Marx

The Annunciation Church was built in the middle of the 17th century by order of the Lithuanian marshal, who thus wanted to perpetuate the memory of his dead daughter. The baroque building attracts attention with its interesting façade. Previously, the monastery occupied almost a whole block, but gradually the building fell into disrepair.

In Soviet times, a psycho-neurological hospital was located here, but later the church and the surrounding area were again transferred to the parish. In the monastery courtyard, a lyamus was preserved, where the nuns used to live, built without a single nail.

Water towers "Kasya" and "Basya"

st. Sverdlov 2

Two octagonal water towers "Kasya" and "Basya" were built at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. The buildings reach a height of 22 meters, and their task was to provide the city with water.

The "older" tower is more restrained in style. Of the decor, only a forged, hinged balcony. But the “younger” sister is very elegant, decorated with lace balustrades and bas-reliefs of columns. mixed up here different styles, therefore, experts attribute the towers to eclecticism.

Today they house the workshops of Grodno artists.

If you have a lot of time in Grodno, then you can afford to visit the Museum of Life.

Museum of life

st. Lermontova 25

The most unusual museum in the city. This is the first private museum in Grodno, where various antiques are collected. The entire exposition is located in a small courtyard in a private house, but to see all these things you need at least an hour.

The exposition includes both household items and folk art. The collection of old postcards is a special pride of the museum.

Excursions around the museum are conducted by the owner himself - a colorful old Greek man, who personifies the rarity collection.

The museum will give a lot positive emotions and a touch of nostalgia for a bygone past, only a visit must be pre-arranged.

Around Grodno there is a decent number of bunkers (long-term firing points) and forts.

Grodno fortress

On the way to Sopotsin

These unfinished forts received the status of the last fortress of the Russian Empire. But the history of this defensive structure dates back to the 11th century, when the first fortified ramparts were built.

The construction of the fortress began at the beginning of the 20th century, when Grodno was declared a stronghold Russian army. But by the beginning of the war, none of the 24 forts was completed and the fort was blown up during the retreat.

During the second war, near Fort No. 2, the Nazis shot local residents and today there is a monument to the dead (it is located in the border zone, in the forest and is badly damaged).

The most preserved, as we were told by the border guards, are forts No. 9 and No. 4 - they did not have time to blow them up. And the most picturesque and beautiful are forts No. 7 and No. 8.

Just be careful when searching for these forts, in no case drive under the sign “Attention! Border zone" without a special pass, otherwise, you may find yourself detained by border guards and spend several hours of your vacation writing protocols. We have experienced this the hard way, so I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the law on the border zone, link http://gpk.gov.by/border/.

Looks like Grodno Small town, but there are plenty of attractions on its territory. In general, without visiting museums, you can fit in one day, but it’s better to stay here at least for two days, especially since there are wonderful hotels and restaurants in Grodno.

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