The most interesting sights of Novogrudok

There are many interesting cities in Belarus. One of them is Novogrudok. At one time it was the first capital of the Lithuanian principality, therefore on its territory there were historical monuments belonging to that epoch. But there are other attractions of Novogrudok, the names and descriptions of which you will find in this article.

Where to begin

To visit this city, you need to go to the Grodno region. Begin to explore the attractions of Novogrudok best from the local history museum. It is in it you can get acquainted with the history of the city. The museum was opened in 1992. There are 9 exhibition halls on 250 square meters. In total, the museum has about 15 thousand exhibits. The collection is periodically replenished, because archaeological excavations in the city continue to this day. And the earliest finds date back to the 9th-8th centuries. BC. E. The oldest exhibit is the petrified hedgehog. The scientists found out that he is about 80 million years old.

What was before

In the museum you can get an idea of the life of people in this area from the moment when the primeval man began to organize his parking here, and to this day. His collection includes household items, tools, clothes, weapons and other interesting exhibits. Having decided what Novogrudok's attractions you would like to see in the first place, start your journey. You will find many interesting things. The main attractions of Novogrudok, photos of which are presented in this article, are the ruins of Novogrudok Castle, Nikolaevsky Cathedral, Mount Mindovga. Let's talk about them in more detail.

The King of Lithuania

In the thirteenth century, Slavic cities could choose their ruler. Novogrudok elected Prince Mindovg to this post. He found this proposal flattering and even converted to Christianity, but some sources report that he did not do this and remained a pagan. In the middle of the 13th century, in order to conclude an agreement with Livonia, Mindovg accepted Catholicism, after which he was crowned Innocent IV and became the first king of Lithuania. But, apparently, paganism was dearer to the prince, because later he renounced Christianity and returned to him again. Therefore, after his death, he was buried in a pagan rite. Over the grave of Mindovg overnight, as the legend says, poured a large sand barrow. However, later on this barrow was arranged a Christian cemetery, from which in our time there are only a few gravestones. Prince Mindovg in Novogrudok is still remembered, so there is a commemorative plate on the mountain.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Attractions of Novogrudok are also churches. One of them originally belonged to the Franciscans. They were invited to Novogrudok by Prince Gedimin at the beginning of the fourteenth century. On donations built the church of St. Anthony, which in its form resembled a ship. Near the building of the Franciscan monastery. When the Franciscans were forced to leave Russia in the middle of the 19th century, the former church turned into an Orthodox church. It was renamed in honor of Nicholas the Wonderworker. The building more habitual for Christians appeared after it had to be rebuilt after the fire of 1852. The cathedral became a cathedral in 1992. Inside the temple are stored particles of holy relics.

Picturesque ruins

Attractions Novogrudok - this includes the remains of ancient buildings. These include the ruins of Novogrudok Castle. It was built on the Castle Hill as a defensive structure as far back as the 13th century. The place was chosen on a hill. Earlier there was a wooden castle surrounded by ramparts and moats. In total, the castle was built several towers. Originally built Shchitovaya, then in the XIV century Kostelnaya, Malaya, Posadskaya, Brama. In the 15th and 16th centuries, in order to further strengthen and so impregnable the castle, which was so thanks to the thick stone walls, they built the Sentinel and the Mesques towers. However, already during the Russo-Polish war, it began to collapse. And after the Great Patriotic War from him, almost nothing remained.

Not only antiquity

It is interesting that the attractions of Novogrudok, photos of which are presented in this article, refer not only to old times. There are also arisen in the XX century. This, for example, the mound of Glory - man-made creation, dedicated to the famous poet Adam Mickiewicz. As you know, he himself dreamed of putting a monument to him in Novogrudok. Therefore, when the chairman of the Mickiewicz committee submitted the idea of erecting a mound, thousands of people supported it. Those wishing to take part in the project had to pour in the earth or put a stone in memory of the poet. Thus, the mound was formed. How strong is the popular love for Adam Mickiewicz, one can judge from the height of the mound. At the foot of the mound there is a park, and there is a memorable stone. From the top of the hill you can admire the magnificent view of Novogrudok.

House-museum

Adam Mitskevich is one of the beloved poets of the Belarusian people. In 1920, they founded a museum in which they began collecting artifacts related to his life and work. For visitors it opened in 1938. However, during the Patriotic War the real house of the poet was destroyed. Therefore, what visitors see now is its exact copy, built in 1955. In the early 90's was a complete reconstruction of historical buildings belonging to the museum. Therefore, now everything that is there, looks historically accurate.

You have learned about the existing attractions of Novogrudok. Their addresses are as follows:

• Mount Mindovg - st. Minskaya;
• Mickiewicz Mound - st. Castle;
• Local History Museum - st. Grodno, 2;
• Ruins of the castle - st. Castle;
• House-museum of Mickiewicz - st. Lenina, 1;
• Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker - st. Zamkovaya, 4.

Interesting travel to you!