Grodno

The royal city over the Neman ... That’s what you can call Grodno, one of the oldest cities in Belarus. One city was remembered for the film "White Dew", while others simply read the novel by Eliza Orzeszko "Over the Neman", which was written here.

Grodno is not only a transit city for most Belarusians to travel to Poland, Lithuania and other European countries, but also a rich cultural heritage.

It was first mentioned in the Ipatiev Chronicle in 1128. The city is associated with such princes and kings of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland such as Vitovt, Stefan Batory, Stanislav Augustus Ponyatovsky, as well as the commander David Grodno, who did not suffer a single defeat in the battle with the crusaders.

Speaking about Grodno, one cannot but emphasize the unique multinational composition of the city. Here Belarusians, Russians, Poles, Jews, Ukrainians, Tatars live. This determines that the number of Catholics and Orthodox in the city is approximately the same.

How to get there

Want to know how to get to Grodno? To visit this city, you can use different types of transport. Most travelers prefer a car, but many people like traveling by train. For tourists from Europe, especially from Poland, this greatly simplifies border crossing, as queues are possible at automobile checkpoints. Bus is the cheapest form of transport. As for the aircraft, the transport connection is only with Kaliningrad and not on an ongoing basis.

By plane

There are no direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg.

A plane flies from Kaliningrad to Grodno (in summer or until September, inclusive) B2 917 / B2 916 on Tuesdays and Fridays. Ticket price-60 cu Travel time is 55 minutes.

You can choose the best option for the flight to Grodno on aggregator sites or, for example, here.

The airport is 18 km from Grodno. You can get to the city by the "Airport - Bus Station" bus, which runs only for this flight or by taxi. Please note that the bus goes back 2 hours before departure.

By train

Grodno Train Station is located near the city center. You can get to it by bus number 3, minibus or taxi. Trolleybuses do not go to the station.

A group of direct wagons daily runs from Moscow from the Belorussky railway station as part of train No. 95/96 Moscow-Brest. The cost of a reserved seat ticket is 45 cu, coupe 75 cu, SV-150 cu Travel time is 16 hours.

From St. Petersburg runs train 057Б. The train runs on Thursdays. The cost of a reserved seat ticket is 60 cu, a coupe is 120 cu, travel time is 21 hours.

You can order and buy a ticket here.

By bus

A bus runs daily from Moscow from the Shchelkovo bus station. The cost is 35 cu Travel time is 12 hours.

From the Grodno bus station to the city center can be reached by trolley buses number 1,13.

By car

Belarus is famous for its good and wide roads, so many tourists often choose this particular type of transport. However, there are toll roads.

The distance from Moscow is 997 km (Route M1 and M6). Travel time is about 12 hours.

The distance from St. Petersburg is 1022 km (Route M20 and M6). Travel time is about 13 hours.

There’s no need to linger on the border between Belarus and Russia: there are no lines.

As for the border with Poland and Lithuania, there are no queues either. This is due to the fact that vehicles can cross the border with Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine no more than once every 8 days (Decree of the Council of Ministers of Belarus). However, it should be borne in mind that during the summer period and on weekends there are more cars than usual, and it will be necessary to spend more time crossing the border, especially in the Polish direction. Significantly accelerates the rapid passage of the border electronic queue.

The number of cars at checkpoints here.

hint: Grodno - time now16: October 13Difference in hours: Moscow & plus; 0 Kazan & plus; 0Samara & plus; 1 Yekaterinburg & plus; 2 Novosibirsk & plus; 4Vladivostok & plus; 7

When is the season. When is the best time to go?

Want to know when it is better to go to Grodno? - You can come here at any time of the year, however, in order to enjoy yourself fully, it is preferable to choose the time from May to September. Tours to Grodno from Russia can be viewed here.

Grodno in the summer

Ideal time to visit Grodno. The temperature is on average 23-35 C. July is the warmest month. Sometimes it is very hot, so it will be difficult for tourists to withstand the whole day in the sun.

In June, every two years, the city hosts the Festival of National Cultures. This is a folk festival of different peoples who invite to their courtyards so that anyone can soak up the treasures of national art, taste the cuisine of different peoples and just share their joy in dizzying dances. During the festival, the streets are festive and crowded.

Grodno in the fall

It is considered one of the best times of the year for excursions. It is better to go in September, when the weather is still warm.

Grodno in the spring

Quite an attractive time for tourists, but it is better to go in May, when the air has warmed up significantly for long walks around the city.

March 4, do not miss the fair of folk crafts "Kazyuki". It attracts craftsmen from all over the country, as well as from Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland. The holiday is celebrated in honor of St. Casimir, the patron saint of artisans.

Grodno in the winter

Winter lasts about four months, beginning in late November. January is most often the coldest month. What is attractive about visiting Grodno at this time of year? Low housing prices, however, all the attractions of the city may not be able to inspect.

Grodno - weather for a month

hint: Grodno - weather for the months of January −4.1 February −3.7 March ± 0.3 April ± plus 6.2 May ± 12.5 June ± 15.6 July ± 17.4 August ± 16.4 September ± 12.3 October ± 7.0 November ± 1.9 December −1.9

Areas. Where is better to live

Grodno is administratively divided into October and Lenin districts. The border runs along the Neman River and the railway to the northwest. It is better to stay in the very center, because the city is small and all the cultural attractions are concentrated there. This is the right bank of the Neman River and the Leninsky district.

What are the prices for vacation

The city of Grodno can be attributed to the middle price category. The cost of living in a hotel is 3-4 stars per person on average 25-60 cu Is breakfast included.

You can compare hotel prices from different sites here, and I prefer to book on booking here. Options for renting private apartments can be viewed here.

For a good lunch you have to give 3-5 cu Paid entrances to museums of castles, a zoo, agritourism complex "Korobchitsy". Entrance to the Kolozha Church, the Farny Church, the pharmacy museum, and the Zhibiber Park is free of charge.

The main attractions. What to watch

Top 5 The most interesting

1. The Cathedral of Francis Xavier XV-XVIII century.

One of the most important symbols of Grodno. The sights of the Church and the Church itself once belonged to the complex of the Jesuit monastery. Its facade is decorated with the oldest tower clock in Europe. The multi-figured composition (more than 40 sculptures) in the main altar in the interior, as well as the fresco painting of 1752 is delightful.

2. Pharmacy Museum

It is the oldest pharmacy in Belarus, and, in particular, the oldest in the city of Grodno. What to see inside the pharmacy museum? - you ask. In the middle of the building is a small museum where fragments of a prescription hall and a herbal laboratory are presented.

3. Old castle

Grodno has long been the main residence of the Lithuanian princes and Polish kings, therefore it is called the “royal”. The old castle is associated with the name of Prince Vytautas. It was he who in 1398 erected an impregnable stone castle in the Gothic style on the right bank of the Neman River. Around him was a 50-meter ditch, and the wall thickness reached 3 m.

In the XVI century. King Stephen Bathory rebuilt the castle and made it his residence. The Parma architect Scotto brought a Renaissance spirit to it. After the Northern War, the castle never had its former meaning, since it was destroyed.

Inside the Old Castle is now a historical and archaeological museum.

4. New castle

It was built during the years 1734-1751 according to the project of K.F. Pöppelman opposite the Old Castle as the summer residence of Augustus III. The last Diet of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was held in this building, at which an agreement was signed on its division with Russia and Prussia. For some time Stanislav Augustus Poniatowski lived in the New Castle. In 1795, he abdicated here.

The New Castle now houses a branch of the Historical and Archaeological Museum and the library named after Y.F. Karsky.

5. Borisoglebskaya (Kolozhskaya) church of the 12th century

Located next to the castles on the steep bank of the Neman. The uniqueness of this church is that ceramic pots (voices) are built into its walls. They were intended to improve the acoustics of the building. In addition, the facades of the church are decorated with inserts of majolica tiles and colorful boulders, forming patterns in the form of crosses and rhombuses. So many Grodno residents want to get married in this particular church.

Theaters

The unique charm of Grodno is given by theaters. Both of them are architectural monuments and always delight tourists.

  • Grodno Regional Drama Theater of the 19th century
  • Grodno Regional Puppet Theater of the 18th century

Beaches. Which are better

In Grodno there are only a few recreation areas with equipped beaches and rescue stations:

  • Central beach
  • Tract Lososno
  • Lake Jubilee
  • Pyshki Forest Park

Most crowded is usually on the Central Beach and the Jubilee Lake.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

  • Church and monastery of Bernardine XVII-XVIII centuries
  • Nativity of the Virgin Monastery XVIII century
  • Holy Intercession Cathedral
  • Catholic church and monastery of the Franciscans XVII-XVIII centuries
  • Catholic church and monastery brigitok
  • Lutheran Church XIX centuries
  • The synagogue of the XVI-XX centuries

Museums Which are worth a visit

  • House Museum of Eliza Orzeszko
  • Museum of Maxim Bogdanovich
  • Grodno State Museum of the History of Religion
  • Museum "History of the Gorodnitsa"
  • Museum of Contemporary Folk Art of the Grodno Region

Parks

  • Giliber Park
  • Kolozhsky park
  • Pyshki Forest Park
  • Swiss valley
  • Rumlevo Forest Park

Tourist streets

Some of the oldest streets where you can always meet crowds of tourists are:

  • Castle
  • Soviet
  • Vilenskaya
  • E.Ozheshko

What to see in 1 day

10:00 - It is better to start a review of the city from Sovetskaya Square. Here is the heart of the city. You can see the Muravyov House, the Cathedral of Francis Xavier and go to the Pharmacy Museum.

11:00 - 13:00 - We go along Zamkova Street to inspect the Fire Tower, Old and New Castles, and then the Borisoglebsky Church.

14:00 - 15:00 - Lunch time. It is better to choose a cafe in the center. For afternoon relaxation, you can stop by the Giliber Park.

16:00 - 17.00 - The journey continues! We leave for the Eliza Orzeszko House-Museum, examine the Holy Protection Cathedral, the Lutheran Church. If you wish, you can look into the museum "History of the Gorodnitsa"

17:00 - 18.00 - Visit to the Grodno Zoo

19.00-20: 00 - Dinner. Return to Sovetskaya Square. Walk near the Drama Theater or along the Nemunas promenade.

What to see in the surroundings

Most of the cultural attractions can be seen in one day, but it is better to stay in the city for a trip to August channelto the manor Svyatskinspection forts of the Grodno fortress. Also very popular. Agritourism complex "Korobchitsy".

hint: Routes to neighboring cities Grodno - Druskininkai 38 km Grodno - Sokulka 38 km Grodno - Volkovysk 71 km Grodno - Bialystok 75 km Grodno - Alytus 80 km

Food. What to try

Arriving in Belarus it is impossible not to try the national cuisine of this country, especially draniki.

Recommended Places

There are not many places where you can have an inexpensive and tasty lunch in Grodno. Food here is quite expensive and not everyone will be able to afford it.

Restaurant "Korchma" belongs to the above average range, but here you can try real Belarusian cuisine. Address - 31 Sovetskaya St.

In order to just drink coffee or have an easy breakfast, it is better to go to the coffee house "Coffeemania". It is located in the same building.

For tourists with children can be advised cafe "Roshosha". There you can try just amazing desserts or just drink coffee. Address st. Soviet 5.

For those who like to cook tasty meals themselves, you can advise a grocery store in the center - “Batoria” (10 Stefan Batoria St.) and Skidelsky Market (located opposite the Bus Station).
I propose to consider some of the "Grodno" restaurants below.

Budgetary

MAG-CAFE. Address: st. Soviet 18

Bistro:

Cafe "Food". Address: st. Kirov 41

Coffee Shops:

"Luxury". Address: st. Soviet 7

"Coffeemania". Address: st. Soviet 31

Cupcakes. Address: st. Soviet 10

Mid level

Restaurant "Tavern". Address: st. Soviet 31

Restaurant "Castle of Zevana". Address: agritourism complex "Korobchitsy"

Restaurant "Old Lamus". Address: Dzerzhinsky 1a

Restaurant "Retro Pizza". Address: 31 Sovetskaya St.

Expensive

Restaurant "Cronon". Address: Pyshki Forest Park

Holidays

It is worth recalling that Grodno is a multinational city. Here, with respect to all peoples, their faith and national traditions.

Of all public holidays, Grodno people like to celebrate New Year, Christmas, Women's Day (March 8), Fatherland Defenders Day (February 23), Labor Day (May 1), Victory Day (May 9) and Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus (July 3) .

The residents have a special attitude to City Day (celebrated on the third Saturday of September) and the Day of Grodno's liberation from Nazi invaders (celebrated on July 16).

Most of these holidays are accompanied by fireworks and colorful performances in the city.

Security. What to watch out for

Belarusians are always very friendly and friendly to tourists, however, in an unfamiliar city it is better to stay on the alert and not lose vigilance.

Things to do

Shopping and shops

For shopping, you can recommend the shopping center Corona. There are many shops with branded clothing. Prices are above average, so many Grodno residents often go to Poland and Lithuania to shop. For a more limited budget, the markets of South and Skidelsky may be suitable in Grodno.

Souvenirs and goods of Belarusian manufacturers can be seen in the trading house "Neman" on Sovetskaya Street, goods for children - in the Children's World.

The products of the glove factory "Accent" and the shoe factory "Neman", as well as the "Grodno meat processing plant" and "Milk World" are very popular among tourists.

Bars Where to go

After a long walk around the city, you always want to find yourself in a cozy atmosphere. In Grodno there are such places:

  • Bar Cuba. Address: st. Kalyuchinskaya 12
  • Bar "London" Address: st. Vilenskaya 1
  • "Pub 32" Address: st. Socialist 32

Bar "Cuba" will be interested in an unusual interior, a wide selection of whiskey and rum, bar "London" - British beer and warming drinks.

Clubs and nightlife

For lovers of nightlife, there are several clubs that are located in Grodno. The city’s nightlife is in full swing in places such as:

  • Base (Victory St. 35)
  • Colosseum 2000 (K. Marx St. 31).
  • Time Out (5 Popovich Street)
  • Movie 60 (9 Sovetskaya St.)
  • Owl (st.Popovich 3)

The bowling club "Metro" is very popular. Address of Victory St. 37.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

You can bring a coat of arms of the city, postcards with views and sights, books, ceramics, dolls in national costumes, towels, straw and leather products, forged products as a gift from Grodno.

All this can be purchased in shops and galleries in the city center, as well as in the New Castle and in the pavilion "Hut mastaka" in the courtyard of the Old Castle.

How to get around the city

Grodno is a small city. Metro and trams are not here. Transport sometimes has to wait longer than usual, so it is better to look at the schedule in advance. It is better to walk around the city center.You can get to the center by your car or by minibuses (cost 0.4 cu). If you are not in a hurry and have free time, you can choose a bus or trolley.

Taxi. What features exist

The fare for a taxi from 0.3 cu per km on the counter + landing 2 cu You can pay in cash, by credit card, via the Internet and by bank transfer. However, it is necessary to clarify in advance with the operator or driver about a particular payment method. Only Belarusian rubles are accepted for payment. You can call a taxi by phone or via the Internet. Taxi ranks are located in the area of ​​the bus station, railway station, and also near some hotels. It should be said that it is better to order a taxi by phone or via the Internet. So you definitely do not overpay.

Phones for calling a taxi: 107,163,155,135,186.

Buses

Very suitable for moving around the city. Express routes are especially pleasing.

The cost of one trip by bus is 0.2 cu, on the express -0.4 cu

Tickets for travel and travel can be purchased at kiosks at stops and directly from the driver. It should be noted that the driver's ticket price is more than 0.23 cu

Vehicle rental

Car rental costs from 35 cu per day, depending on the make of the car and the presence of the driver. You can see how much it will cost to rent a car on your dates here.

To get a car you need a passport and a driver’s license.

There are cars with an hourly form of payment. In Grodno they are most popular for weddings.

Gasoline prices: AI-95-0.68 cu, AI-92-0.63 cu, DT-0.7 cu Prices are subject to change.

Tips for motorists

Do not park cars in the wrong places and observe the speed limit.

Grodno - holidays with children

1. Grodno Zoo

It has more than 3,000 different animals, many of which have been imported relatively recently to Grodno. Vacationing with children here is extremely simple: the zoo features fish, reptiles, mammals, birds, amphibians, invertebrates - children will definitely have something to see. For a fee, you can ride a pony, visit the terrarium and the contact area "Grandma's Yard", and there is also an attraction "Veterok" train. An adult ticket (from 14 years old) will cost 2.3 cu, a children's ticket-1.2 cu, children under 6 years old-free, for persons of retirement age-1.7 cu

2. Giliber Park

It will be interesting for families with children and youth to ride various attractions and carousels, go to the 5D movie theater or just eat ice cream and cotton candy. For the smallest in the park, a train rides. Entrance to the park is free. The cost of attractions for adults is 1.2-2 cu, a children's ticket (up to 12 years) -0.5-1 cu, children under 3 years are free, accompanied by adults.

3. Health Trail in Pyshki Forest Park

A good outdoor activity for lovers of fresh air, beautiful scenery and cycling. The entrance is free.

You should definitely go to the Jungle Park - a rope amusement park for children and adults. It is located on the 2600 meter trail in the former pioneer camp "Teremok"

4. Aquacenter

It is popular for families with children that there is both a swimming pool for parents and attractions for children, a Russian bath, a hydromassage, various SPA procedures. The cost of a swimming pool for adults is -2.3 cu, a swimming pool with attractions for children under 16 is 2.4 cu More details can be found on the site.

5. Agritourism complex "Korobchitsy"

Holidays for children are often held here, there is a special square "Smile" for kids. You can also ride horses, see pheasants, peacocks, wild boars, rabbits, deer and other animals. Admission ticket price for adults is 2.3 cu, for children from 3 to 16 years old - 1.4 cu, for children under 3 years old admission is free.

Ski vacation

The ski resort is located in Korobchitsy 5km from Grodno. While it works only in test mode. You can get here from the bus station by bus or taxi.

Trails

For adults, there are 2 tracks:

  1. With an angle of 40 degrees with a length of 450 m
  2. With an angle of 12 degrees with a length of 350 m

For children there is a track with an angle of 12 degrees and a length of 250 m, as well as a track for sledding and tubing.

Watch the video: Grodno Belarus Travel Guide - City Highlights & How To Enter Visa Free. 90+ Countries with 3 kids (March 2024).

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