Grodno - Korobchitsy - Mir - Novogrudok (2 days)

In the 18th century Anthony Tizengauz has planned replacement of small-scale handicraft trade with manufactory. For this purpose he has also constructed Gorodnitsu which became the administrative, cultural and industrial center of Grodno. The grandiose complex from 85 buildings has absorbed in itself absolutely new design methods and constructions – for the first time in the history of town planning of Belarus. The baroque ensemble in Grodno will be seen also by you.

According to most of judges of art, he has won a rank of the "richest" and beautiful church in all territory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. And really, his ubraniye and shape, both in interiors, and in an exterior, impress that is peculiar to Baroque style. A set of distinguished details, sculptures, gilding – the embodiment of the ideas of Stefan Batory the unknown, unfortunately, architect. The Grodno church of Francis Csaverija – one of three temples of Belarus carrying an honourable title a small basilica.

On the high hill, in the downtown, the church of Finding of the Sacred Cross and a complex of the monastery of bernardines have taken the place of honor. It is unique cult ensemble and the most ancient Catholic shrine of Grodno. The baroque silhouette of a church and a high tower with a spike solemnly towers on the bank of Neman and is visible from all points of the historic center. As well as today, in days of old he drew attention to himself with noble and graceful shape – here, for example, Elisa Ozheshko got married, and in 1990 the Highest Roman Catholic seminary was placed.

To your attention the most beautiful synagogue in Europe, the biggest in Belarus and the oldest in the former Soviet Union. Her long story begins in the 16th century. Constructed on the project of the architect Santi Gucci, more than once suffering from the fires and destructions, it nevertheless has informed of solemn vernal shape and well remained interior up to now.

Old and New locks in Grodno are located absolutely nearby. It is a big rarity, even considering that in the territory of Belarus, in the Middle Ages, locks it was possible to meet through each 40 km. And both locks – royal. Powerful defensive system, high abrupt shaft, waters of Neman and Gorodnichanki – the residence under reliable protection. The unusual shape raises the mass of questions – the answer one: before you examples of the Belarusian defensive architecture. And today, the stone chronicle opens for «the amator ў» all new pages of historical reality.

Quite often the fate of locks and palaces are shrouded in legends and mystical stories. And in a case with the royal residence - it is inevitable. One of 2 locks in Grodno – the summer residence of the grand duke Lithuanian and the king Polish Augustus III has received glory of the damned place. And, nevertheless, exactly there passed general diets of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the agreement on her section in 1793 and here, in 1795 has been signed here, Augustus Ponyatovsky has appended the signature under the act of renunciation.

In the 12th century, on a high slope of Neman, one of the first churches of Eastern Europe has been built. For unique shape and unique technology, she was entitled the historical and architectural reserve. Why most of people name her Kolozhska? The church in honor of Saints Boris and Gleb is lit. For what numerous jugs are walled in walls? In what a secret of the centuries-old temple and whether his destiny is so simple? After the excursion you with confidence will be able to answer these questions.

In own way the unique agrotourist complex "Garadzensk_ mayontak of Karobchytsa settled down on a big scope among picturesque landscapes. And everything keeps the best traditions of the Belarusian culture here. Keeps traditions of architecture and kitchen and transfers to guests Zevana's Lock restaurant. And horses the horse-racing club "Amadeus" and a possibility of walk top or in the carriage will please fans of horse port. During the trip on the carriage it is possible to observe numerous animals of a zoo and inhabitants of the reserved wood. If you want to find more time for animals and to the nature – walk, have a rest in an arbor at one of picturesque ponds. Foot walk with the guide will also allow to learn complex history, to study its most interesting places. And behind souvenirs surely glance in workshops of national handymen – here them much.

At the beginning of the 17th century representatives of a Catholic award – Dominicans located in Novogrudka. For them the church was also built that combines elements of magnificent and festive baroque and late classicism. What was only not seen by the temple: soldiers and fires, granary and furniture warehouse, desolation and elimination of an award. However in the best times at a church the monastery and school worked. The writer and politician Adam Mickiewicz studied at school of this.

At the beginning of the 14th century the Grand duke Lithuanian Gedemin invited in Novogrudok Frantsiskantsev. About hundred years they worked on creation of the temple – Saint Anthony's church. The temple is complete - but in 50 years the Catholic award is forced to leave the monastery. However, despite destiny milestones, it reached our time, let a little modified. In the city you still should learn about its history and a role.

Novogrudok – the first capital of Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The city with thousand-year history kept surprising landscapes of hills and the woods, the view of which opens from Zamkova Hora. And on it ruins of the majestic castle where many centuries Mindovg was crowned back tower. The Novogrudsky lock, located at hill top, is visible for many kilometers from the city – its towers as if giants, are cut down from a boulder, from a distance reported about power and greatness of fortress.

At the beginning of the 18th century, in the territory of one of the first Belarusian churches constructed by Vitovt in 1395, the Farny church was built. The excellent view of it opens from Zamkova Hora. The white monumental temple with a red roof favourably contrasts with fine landscapes of the hilly area.

Pushkin, Ryleyev, Bestuzhev, Delwig, Vyazma admired Adam Mickiewiczs verses. He was born in the territory of present Belarus, wrote in Polish, lived and worked in Europe, and died in Turkey. However from everywhere soul pulled it home – on Novogrudchina where there will take place the excursion - among an infinite scope of the hills and fields penetrated by the rivers. There passed the childhood and Adam's youth, the house where he lived remained. In the city the monument to the best poet of an era of romanticism is established and man-made «Mound of Immortality» where long time people carried the earth from different regions of the World is built. Here the memory of the person who made a huge contribution to development of the Belarusian and Polish literatures is immortalized.

Holy Trinity Church in the village Mir - an architectural monument of the XVI century, which represent an elongated cross with five domes. This church was built near the Mir Castle under the guidance of Duke Nichola Radziwill Sirotka and was demaged several times and rebuilt, it was changed to the Uniates, and then again returned to the Orthodox believers.
The church was destroyed in the huge fire in the second half of the XIX century, after which was once again rebuilt in Russian Revival style. There was a revered The Virgin Mary icon of the XVI century until 1925, but even now this place evokes a feeling of humility and reverence before God.

St. Nicholas church in Mir was built in the Renaissance style in 1605 on the place of a former wooden church when the Radzivill family became the owners of the Mir Castle. After the uprising of Tadeush Kostyushko king's government give it to the Orthodox Church, and during the war it was closed at all. Despite this St. Nicholas church reached our time almost in its original form. A powerful 4-storey tower-bell tower meets the parishioners, and within the church you can listen to the penetrating pries and get blessing.

Mir – the town with a silent cosiness of streets where throughout centuries destinies, culture and life of Belarusians, Poles, Roma, Tatars, Jews closely intertwined. On the suburb of the town the medieval giant - Mir Castle Complex important settled down. Majestic towers and powerful walls are harmoniously combined with the beautiful park, being reflected in a pond mirror. The halls ornated by a carving and gilding, graceful furniture, abrupt ladders on which you not just will pass – you will turn into other reality, in other century.

The chapel-tomb of Svyatopolk-Mirsky is a ladder which will spend you from powerful walls of the lock to magnificent parks. In it the embodiment of modernist style style, so popular in the 19th century, - any symmetry and classics – a new view on architecture, fresh receptions and forms. This place chose also a lock ghost – Sonechk who, among others, is buried in a tomb.