Novogrudok

General information

Novogrudok is the city in the Grodno region and is the regional center of the Novogrudsky district. In the past it was one of the main political and cultural centers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Novogrudok is located 162 km from Grodno and 160 km from the border with Poland.

Novogrudok settled down on the beautiful hilly spot which is quite often called the ‘Belarusian Switzerland’. The population of this ancient city is a little more than 30, 000 people today.

The name derived from the words ‘New Town’. It was the large settlement in remote western land of Krivichi that was under the control of the Old Russian state at the end of the 10th century.

History of Novogrudok

Novogrudok is considered one of the most ancient cities of Belarus. Date of its foundation goes back to the 10th century when Novogrudok was the residence of princes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and it was also a large trade and craft center. Novogrudok was the first capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The city was mentioned for the first time in chronicles in 1044, later becoming an important political and shopping center. Novogrudok is where grand Duke Mindovg was crowned and later buried and King Yagaylo got married. Having conceded to Vilne’s superiority, Novogrudok kept its special status and various meeting with the king and the foreign diplomats were held here.

Throughout the centuries the city was exposed to numerous attacks from the Mongol-Tatars, crusaders and Crimean Tatars. In 1795, the city became a part of the Russian Empire and in 1939 it joined the BSSR. The city has a very advantageous geographical location; it is only 150km from Minsk, Vilnius and Grodno, which is an attractive prospect for many tourists.

Nevertheless, wars and occupations did not spare the glory of this ancient city and after the third partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795; Novogrudok became the district town at the western boundaries of the Russian Empire.

Novogrudok reference information

Sightseeing in Novogrudok

Ruins of the ancient castle in Novogrudok, which was the former residence of grand Lithuanian dukes for a long time, became the city’s hallmark. Only ruins of two towers were preserved from ‘Zamok Mindovga’ as it is called often. Wars and destructions have completely eliminated its original form. Nevertheless, it is easy to imagine how impressive it looked while standing on the high ramparts of the castle and looking out to the most incredible view.

There is the exciting tradition of holding jousting tournaments in Novogrudok. Travelers will be able to look at horse tournaments, competitions of archers and jousting duels and also have the opportunity to try on armor of ancient soldiers or dresses worn by ladies of that period of time.

The church of Preobrazenie Gospodne in Novogrudok was constructed in the 15th century and has not been renovated since, it is a well known attraction in the city and a definite must see. King Yagaylo married Sofya Galshanskaya within its walls and some centuries later the well-known poet Adam Mickiewicz was baptized here.

Also a visit to the Borisoglebskaya church in Novogrudok, promises to be a memorable one. It was constructed in 1519 and during enemy attacks its wide, massive walls protected the citizens. Another well worthy excursion is paying a visit to Adam Mickiewicz’s house which has been turned into a museum, and it includes memorabilia of his childhood and adolescent years.

Accommodation in Novogrudok

The choice for tourist accommodation is very diverse. There are hotels, a couple of farmsteads, a number of cottage houses and a sanatorium called ‘Svityaz’.

Economy

The industrial enterprises of the area produce milk, fish products, cheese, oil, cement, timber, metal grid and garments. The main enterprises are ‘Novogorudsky zavod gazovoy apparaturi’, ‘Novogrudsky maslodelny kombinat, ‘Belkredo’ and ‘Provit’.

The agriculture is represented by meat and dairy produce. Flax, potatoes and grain are cultivated here as well.