The first settlement on the territory of modern Novogrudok appeared in the 10th century. Already in those early days it had trade relations with Byzantium, Europe and even the East, as evidenced by archaeological excavations. Numerous attractions of Novogrudok in Belarus are associated with its interesting history.
Top 6 attractions in Novogrudok
Novogrudok received the status of city in the first half of the 11th century, two centuries later it became the capital of the eponymous principality, which later became part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and in the late 18th century it was annexed to the Russian Empire.
Mindowaga Mountain
This is the burial mound of Prince Mindovg, one of the rulers of the principality of Novogrudok, which bordered Livonia in the 13th century. The predominant version is that Mindovg did not embrace Orthodoxy when he came to the throne, but remained a pagan.
In the middle of the 13th century, Mindovg had to become a Catholic to become ruler of Lithuania. Indeed, he was baptized according to the Catholic rite and was crowned king of Livonia in Novogrudok by the Pope himself.
But later Mindovg renounced Catholicism, returned to paganism, and was deprived of his royal title by the Pope. After his death, all his entourage, warriors, and servants poured a huge mound in a day, today called the mountain of Mindovg.
The ruins of Novogrudok castle
It is a huge fortification erected on the Castle Hill in Novogrudok in the 13th century by Prince Mindovg himself and his soldiers on the site of the old, wooden castle. First the stone Shield Tower was built.
Thanks to the elevation on which the castle was built, the soldiers inside it could see up to 20 kilometers into the surrounding countryside. In the 14-15 centuries to strengthen the defense of the castle were added a few more defensive towers.
Novogrudok Castle was able to resist the Teutonic Order crusaders and later the Tatar raids, but it fell as a result of the Russian-Polish wars and Russia’s Northern War with Sweden. Today it is left in ruins, which have become monuments of history.
Boris and Gleb Church
This Orthodox church is the oldest in Novogrudok. Its original wooden version was built in the 12th century. Two centuries later it became a stone cathedral, and a monastery was opened near it.
In the 14th century it was decided to reconstruct this temple, as a result of which it took the form of a ship. In the mid-16th century, the famous Brest Union was adopted, the Orthodox Church went to the Uniates and was rebuilt in the Baroque style.
As the city came under Russian rule, almost all Catholic churches and monasteries were closed, and this cathedral once again became an Orthodox church. It was again reconstructed and acquired the pseudo-Russian style that was popular at the time.
Adam Mickiewicz Museum
This museum of the great Polish and Belarusian poet was first opened after the October Revolution. Here visitors were presented with an authentic collection of artifacts from which you can learn a lot about the life and work of Adam Mickiewicz.
But at the beginning of World War II, a German bomb hit the museum, and Mickiewicz’s house with all of his personal and family belongings was completely destroyed and burned down. After the war, a copy was erected on its foundations, but the exhibits were irretrievably lost.
For the hundredth anniversary of the great Mickiewicz’s death, his museum was reopened in the city of Nowogródek, where he spent his childhood and youth. At the end of the 20th century, the museum underwent a new reconstruction.
Today there are guided tours, exhibitions, evenings of music and poetry.
Far Church
This church was erected at the end of the 14th century and today is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Belarus. At the beginning of the 17th century, the church was completely renovated and two chapels were added to it.
A few decades later this church was almost completely destroyed during the war between Russia and Poland. At the very beginning of the 18th century a new construction of the church began, which was completed 10 years later. The poet Mickiewicz was baptized here as a baby.
In the middle of the 19th century, Catholic churches were closed in Belorussia by order of the Russian emperor. In the 1990s, after the country gained its independence, the temple was restored, renovated, re-consecrated and opened to the faithful and tourists.
Mound of Glory
This mound is dedicated to the memory of the great poet of Belarus and Poland Adam Mickiewicz. It was poured by fans and admirers of his work. Novogrudok – small homeland of the poet, here he was born, was baptized, took his first steps.
Connoisseurs of Mickiewicz’s works remember his words that the residents of Nowogrudok should erect a monument to him. Kurgan was built in the 1920s for seven years. Everyone could bring a handful of earth to him, some people sent earth from different countries by mail.
On the day this monument was unveiled, a solemn mass was held at the Farny Church, where the poet was baptized. At the foot of the mound, dedicated to the memory of Adam Mickiewicz, a stone was installed, at the top of which you can climb a special ladder.
