Lida. Visiting a Fairytale

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Belarus, Lida
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The name Lida is derived from the name of the river Lidzeya. Its origin is associated with the Lithuanian appellative Lyda - Lydimas, meaning to fuse, to cast (denoting forest clearing). As Lida is quite a small town, there are only 2 hotels in it. It may be better to stay in a hotel in Grodno and visit the town and castle from there.

There are passing mentions of Lida in chronicles from 1180. Until the early 14th century the settlement at Lida was a wooden fortress in Lithuania proper. In 1323, the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas built a brick fortress there. 1380 is generally considered the founding year of the city of Lida. The fortress withstood Crusader attacks from Prussia in 1392 and 1394 but it was burned to the ground in 1710. Following the death of Gediminas, when Lithuania was divided into principalities, Lida became the capital of one of them, the seat of Algirdas.

Medieval Lida castle, a fine archeological monument that is officially protected by the state, lies 112km north-east of Grodno in the Grodno region of Belarus. Lida Castle (Lidskiy zamok) was built in the early 14th century by Grand Duke Gediminas of Lithuania. Famously built on sand, Lida Castle has withstood 7 centuries of battles and occupations of the surrounding land. Lida Castle is similar in layout to another famous place in Belarus, Mir Castle. Boulder walls constructed in the early 14th century were later faced with red brick.

The castle dominates the town of Lida, which was badly damaged in a fire in 1891. Stones from the south-western tower and parts of the western wall of the castle were used to repair fire-damaged houses. In the 1920s work began to restore some of the castle walls. On January 22, 1940 the Castle of Lida was awarded the status of an archeological monument and in 1953 the castle was taken under state protection. Lida castle today is an all-season tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors every year. During the summer, knights’ tournaments are regularly held in this Belarus castle. In the winter time the inner yard of the castle, an area 80m by 80m, is converted into an ice-skating rink.

Of course, in the city of Lida, there are other important sights. One of them is the Holy Cross Catholic church, located right next to the castle and was built in 1770. This old church is an important architectural monument of the 18th century, historical and cultural values and features. Church in the city of Lida not amazes with its size, but because of its location next to the castle, he was not deprived of the attention of tourists.

A little further on, is the next important landmark of the city of Lida. Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel was built here in 1825. This architectural monument of the 19th century, also deserve the attention of tourists. Near the temple, there are several former monastery buildings close and attached to it and the bell tower.

There in the city of Lida and several smaller sites. For example, the wooden church of the Immaculate Conception, which was built in 1933, is quite interesting monuments of wooden architecture. Also recently in the city of Lida was built three new Catholic church. Another attraction in the town of Lida can be called a small Catholic chapel of St. Barbara, built in 1930. After this in Lida recently been erected and several new Orthodox churches.

Also deserving special mention locomotive mounted in Lida on a pedestal and thus the role of performing the monument. Other interesting features of the city can be identified Lida design water taps. Most of them are configured such as shown in the picture below. This change came in very handy and like tourists. For many tourists visiting the city of Lida, are young people traveling by bicycle on the various tourist routes. And for them to drink, wash with water and stock up on the go, it's not too much.

Sights in Lida:

Lida Castle
Catholic church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (a fine example of local late Baroque architecture).
Church of St. Michael the Archangel
Chapel of St. Barbara
The Church of St. Joseph in Lida was built in 1794-1825. Built in the Late Classicism Style, the round stone church has an attractive dome and front. In 1842 it was burnt down due to a fire, but was soon rebuilt. Currently it is an Orthodox Church.