Overview:

Grodno Old Castle, Hrodna In Belarus is a historic castle located in the city of Grodno in western Belarus. It was built in the 12th century and served as an important defense structure for centuries. The castle complex includes three towers, a chapel, and a series of fortifications. The castle was restored in the 20th century and is now a museum with a variety of interesting artifacts and cultural displays. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Belarus
Prominent Features:

The Grodno Old Castle, located in the city of Hrodna in Belarus, is a prominent historical landmark that dates back to the 10th century. It was originally a wooden fortification which was destroyed in subsequent centuries, including by Mongol invaders in 1240. In the 16th century the castle underwent a major reconstruction and was renovated in the Baroque style. The Grodno Old Castle has been preserved, although it was once abandoned, and now stands as an impressive historical landmark. It features multiple towers, bastions, a drawbridge, and two walls that enclose a large courtyard. Today the castle serves as an open-air museum and is known for its historical significance. Visitors can participate in guided tours of the castle and explore its various features, such as the chapel, the guardhouse, and the English-style garden. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belarus.

History:

The history of Grodno Old Castle (Hrodna Kastrychnitskaya) is one of the most interesting in Belarus. The castle was first mentioned in written sources back in the 12th century. For many centuries the castle served as a fortress and military stronghold of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Ruthenia and Poland, becoming a symbol of the state. Destroyed in the 17th century, it was later restored according to the original plans. The first structure of the castle was constructed of wood in 1180, when Grodno was included into the lands of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This was probably the oldest part of the castle, which was located at the lowest part of the hill. The walls of this castle were decorated by a two-storeyed tower and several buildings. In the middle of the 14th century, it was replaced by a stone castle known as Grodno New Castle. In 1423, the castle was severely damaged by a fire during a war between the armies of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Grand Duchy of Moscow. In 1450, the Grand Duke Kęstutis ordered to rebuild the castle in brick and stone, which was greatly expanded in the 16th century. At that time an additional four towers were added to the fortifications. The castle was rebuilt and improved at least three times during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth period. As a result, in 1648 it had become an impregnable fortress equipped with cannons and a small garrison of soldiers. In 1652, the castle was captured by the Russian forces, but in 1664 it was returned to the Commonwealth. During the Russian Empire period, the castle was heavily damaged, as it was repeatedly attacked by the enemy forces. As a result, in 1795, the castle was destroyed by Russian imperial forces, and most of the buildings inside were demolished. In the early 20th century, the ruins of the castle were reconstructed by the Belarusian artist T. Mikolayev from what had remained of the old fortifications. In 1941, the Grodno old castle was included in the list of the State Historical and Cultural Heritage Sites of the Republic of Belarus. It has been recently restored by the local government and now it is accessible to general visitors. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belarus with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Grodno Old Castle, also known as Hrodna Castle, is a castle complex located in Grodno, Belarus. 2. The castle first appeared in 1097 when Prince Vseslav of Polatsk, a powerful 11th century principality, built it. 3. Later, different owners built the castle, giving it a total of four sections: a western section called Magdeburg, an eastern one named Krynki, and a third section with two towers, and a fourth with two bastions. 4. In 1832, the castle was declared an architectural monument and listed in the Belarusian heritage register in 1998. 5. The castle played its most significant role during the 1654-1667 Russo-Polish war, during which it endured a ten-month siege by Russian forces. 6. In 1989, it was declared a national cultural and historical heritage site. 7. The Grodno Old Castle is now a museum complex, where visitors can learn about the castle's history and its walls, towers and bastions. One of the historical monuments of Belarus, it tells the story of a bygone era