Grodno - a city close to the hearts of many Poles.

Grodno is, besides Vilnius and Lviv, one of the most important cities of the former Republic of Poland, today located within the borders of Belarus. The city has a centuries-old tradition, dating back to the 12th century. It is located in the north-western part of the country, on the Polish-Lithuanian border. At one time it belonged to the three royal towns of the Republic of Poland. The beautiful Nemunas, the third largest river in Belarus, flows through it, dividing Grodno into two parts.

By Poles Grodno is rather not perceived in terms of tourism. Belarusians, on the other hand, visit it most willingly. Because there is something to see here. 

On October 26, 2016, visa-free tourist traffic from Poland to Belarus was opened. This movement has developed gradually, and in 2020, within its framework, you can already visit quite a large part of Belarus, with such important places for Polish tourists as Grodno, Bohatyrovichi, Novogrudok, Zaosie and Mir. 

Surely, many visitors to Grodno will be surprised by the fact that the city is not particularly different from other European cities - stores full of goods, fashionably dressed people with expensive gadgets, free wi-fi available in restaurants. It is a really quiet and safe city, although many people think otherwise. It's worth going there to break stereotypes and prejudices. 

What to see?

1.St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Basilica - founded by King Stefan Batory with money from the ransom of prisoners of war. However, due to the imminent death of the ruler and numerous wars, the church was not completed until 1705, hence its Baroque style. 

2.Jesuit Pharmacy - right next to the basilica is the oldest pharmacy in Belarus. It was built at the beginning of the XVIII century, but during the war it was stolen by the Soviets. Today it houses a modern pharmacy and a small Museum of Pharmacy. 

3.The Church of St. Boris and Gleb, also known as the Church of Kolozha - dates from the 12th century. It is located on a high escarpment above the Nemunas River, which also contributed to the disaster in the 19th century. A landslide collapsed one of the walls, which was rebuilt from wood. We must admit that its today's unique form looks very interesting.

4. Old and New Castle - on the hills above the Neman river a medieval castle was built, where the inhabitants protected themselves from foreign invasions. With time, in its place was built a brick castle, which Stefan Batory transformed into a Renaissance royal residence. The Old and New Castles are reminders of the former power of the castle. Both complexes were built on hills, which made them difficult to conquer. The New Castle was built right next to the Old Castle, and the entrances to both complexes are opposite each other. It is a place of residence of kings, assemblies of the Sejm of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was to Grodno that the deputies of the last Sejm, the one that approved the Second Partition of Poland, came. In the rooms of the New Castle on November 25, 1795 Stanislaw August Poniatowski abdicated, which finally confirmed the collapse of the Republic. This is also where Stefan Batory spent the last years of his life. An amazing history, so important for us Poles, is hidden in the walls of this castle. 

5.Great Synagogue - a monument to the centuries-old history of Grodno Jews. You do not have to be a follower of Judaism to admire this building. Renovated, it looks excellent. There is a museum inside;

6.Pokrovsky Church - a former garrison temple in the Neo-Russian style, built as a tribute to the soldiers who died in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905-1906.

7.Home of Eliza Orzeszkowa - One of Grodno's most prominent residents was a Polish writer known for her novel Nad Niemnem and her collection of short stories Gloria Victis. One of the main streets of the city is named after her, and there is a small museum dedicated to her - created in the house where she lived with her second husband. You can enter the museum for free. Orzeszkowa died on May 18, 1910 in Grodno and was buried here, in the Farny Cemetery. The author was led on her last journey by a funeral procession of thousands of people.

The bus stop is located at Bus station Krasnoarmiejskaya street 7a.

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