Description of the attraction
The old castle in Grodno is a medieval defensive structure built in the 11th century at the confluence of the Gorodnichanka river into the Neman.
The unusual triangular shape of the castle walls is due to the fact that this narrow wedge of land was formed between two rivers. The walls that surrounded the castle are 300 meters long and about 3 meters thick. In the early years of the castle, the tops of its walls were decorated with battlements. The walls are built of glacial boulders and bricks; outside they are still supported by powerful buttresses. The castle is separated from Grodno by a deep ravine, across which a bridge is thrown. Now this bridge has lost its defensive significance and connects the Old and New castles.
These powerful defensive structures were built by the head of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania - Prince Vitovt. It is his formidable face made of wood that visitors to the Old Castle can see at the entrance to the gate. Prince Vitovt replaced the old wooden fortress walls with stone ones and ordered to build five defensive towers.
Grodno is a city of kings and princes. The princes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the kings of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth lived here. Therefore, the Old Castle was rebuilt, destroyed and rebuilt many times. Unfortunately, even the fortresses are aging. During the Northern War of the 18th century, the Old Castle was burned down by the Swedes and never knew its former glory and power.
Nowadays, young Belarus has aroused interest in its historical roots. The state allocates funds for the restoration and maintenance of historical and architectural monuments. The old castle shook from the age-old sleep. It is crowded here now - tourists come to see the ancient walls. There is something to see inside the walls - now there is a historical and archaeological museum in the Old Castle. Here you can see the most interesting finds found by archaeologists on the territory of the Old Castle - from mammoth tusks to medieval weapons and armor. Thematic exhibitions related to history and archeology are also held in the halls of the Old Castle.
