Krevo - Golshany - Ivye - Novogrudok

In the long 14th century, a castle was erected in Krevo by the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gedimin. It became one of the 6 most impregnable fortresses of his time, having only 2 towers and walls made of stone and red brick. Exectly here, in the large defensive tower, according to the orders of his nephew Jagiello, one of the princes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Kaystut, was strangled. And after 3 years, a legal document was signed here that influenced the course of the entire European history. In the walls of the castle he Kreva Unia was signed - an agreement of the union of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish Kingdom. Time and wars destroyed the fortress almost to the ground. On the tour you will have the opportunity to see the ruins that hold the history of great events.

In the 17th century, a grand palac was built in Halšaná, which had no analogues in the entire Grand Duchy of Lithuania and in the Kingdom of Poland. Thanks to the splendor of the external and internal decoration and the integrity of the plan, it was rightfully considered as one of the most beautiful in the Commonwealth of the XVII century. Sub-Chancellor of the GDL Pavel Sapega, became the founder of this project, the owner of a new and original solution. Magnate residence reflected the whims of Mannerism, which completed the Renaissance, preparing the ground for lush architecture and a whole Baroque era. Frequent further change of owners played an evil role in the life of the architectural «flower» - only ruins have reached this day. It keep history, former grandeur and glory. The legendary past of the estate of Pavel Sapieha entered the work of Vladimir Korotkevich - the novel «Black Castle Olshansky», which became a basic for screen adaptation and theatrical productions.

The Franciscan monastery in Golshany, erected in the 16th century, gained almost as much fame as the Golshany Castle. And the whole point is that in addition to the beautiful appearance, its story got a mystical color. According to one of the legends, a young woman was embroiled in a wall that was continually collapsing. The building was saved - since that time the building has never been destroyed. However, the legend has acquired a very real continuation - you will learn about it on an excursion. Let's just say that during the restaurant, a skeleton was actually found in the walls.

The mosque in Ivye has existed for more than 120 years. During this time, neither war nor fires touched it. Ivieau is unofficially considered the capital of the Belarusian Tatars. This people kept their culture, their stories and legends, their saints, who were always revered. That is why a mosque was built in Ivye. Throughout the Soviet period, the Iwe mosque was the only one operating in Belarus.

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.

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.

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.