Past is cherished and present is valued here
Remains of Novogrudok Castle are located on top of Mindouh Hill, which overlooks the city of Novogrudok
For instance, when standing on the Mound of Immortality — the majestic man-made monument erected in honour of Adam Mickiewicz — one can observe the surroundings over a radius of at least ten kilometres. The mound is located at what is known as the Small Castle — archaeologists have determined that this is where the now 30,000-strong Novogrudok began its development and gradual expansion.
There is definitely much to see here! The legendary 13th-century castle deserves a separate discussion. ‘The lore of ages long gone by, in hoar antiquity compounded…’ Pushkin’s lines unconsciously come to mind when standing by the castle towers, which remember the barbaric raids of the Crusaders and other wicked invaders.
Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Novogrudok
Bus station
Monument to poet Adam Mickiewicz
Catholic Church of St. Michael the Archangel.
In the photo: Catholic priest Pavel Knight figures can be seen in Novogrudok
It is a place of pilgrimage for tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world. Currently, reconstruction is actively underway of what was once one of the most formidable fortresses in the region, and the results of the restorers’ efforts will soon be visible.
It is cold here. Colder than anywhere else in Grodno Region. By the way, when the correspondents were making this photo report, it was minus six degrees Celsius in Grodno, while in Novogrudok the thermometer dropped to minus 12 degrees. However, the people in one of the oldest cities in Belarus are warm. They offer the warmth of their hearts and souls to numerous guests. It is no coincidence that the tourist sector has recently been one of the most promising areas of development for this region with its rich history.
There is traditionally a lot of snow here and… the largest wind farm in the region. The blades of the wind turbines (each blade is about 40 metres long!) spin around the clock, generating alternative energy using wind. They serve humanity without polluting the environment. The wind farm sparks great interest among children and youth. Thus, we witnessed the moment when schoolchildren from Minsk were on a tour near Novogrudok.
…No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten! Retracing the rapidly flying years from today like rewinding a film, let us return to the heroic past. Eight decades ago, a significant event took place in Novogrudok — driven to despair by the brutality of the Nazis, 232 prisoners from the local ghetto made a daring escape. Today, their names are engraved on the symbolic Wall of Memory at the Museum of Jewish Resistance. Over a period of four months, using improvised tools (mostly forks, spoons, and nails), they dug a 250-metre (!) underground tunnel and fled into the forest to join the partisans of the Bielski group. This escape became both the largest and most successful of its kind in Belarus. Those people, just like us today, wanted to live, love, raise children, learn, work, and make plans for the future. However, the war shattered all their hopes and dreams. It is our duty to do everything possible to ensure that such tragedies never happen again.
Ghetto security post
...The bus station buzzes and hums, resembling a bustling anthill. Solid buses and nimble minibuses dart busily to and fro. The city — now 981 years old — lives its vibrant, daily life, which might seem routine and leisurely to outsiders. It is growing, developing, and becoming ever more beautiful.
During the era of sovereign Belarus, the city’s appearance has been significantly revitalised. Buildings are undergoing extensive renovations, architectural, historical, and cultural monuments are being established, and the areas surrounding them are being beautified.
One must be sure to find time to visit and stroll through its ancient narrow streets and feel its unique spirit. Here, one can not only admire magnificent monuments but also find new friends.
What is more, you will inevitably experience the traditional, unpretentious, and sincere Belarusian hospitality. After all, people in Novogrudok cherish the past, value the present, and look to the future with confidence.
Children visitng the biggest wind farm in Belarus, located near village of Grabniki, Novogrudok District
By Vladimir Kozyrev
Photos by Andrei Primachek
