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Grodno

The Coat of Arms of the city of Grodno consists of the following elements: an image of the leaping dear with a golden cross between the horns and a white latticework fence. The image of the leaping deer is related to an ancient legend, according to which there lived the Duke Hubert on the site of the town. He was fabulously rich and was mainly engaged in feasts and entertainment. However, his real passion was hunting . Once all day he was chasing a deer of marvelous beauty and when he caught up with the animal and was on the point to shoot from his crossbow, all of a sudden, he saw a golden cross between its branchy luxurious horns. Duke took the cross for God's sign and turned into a completely different person. He gave away all his wealth to the poor, and became a priest. The rest of his life, he prayed for the salvation of people's souls and later after his death was canonized. White fence symbolizes the city itself, as the etymology of its old name “Goroden” corresponds to the verb “gorodic” meaning putting the fence.

 Old Grodno, painter Napoleon Orda (1807-1883)

About Grodno:

Grodno - a city in the Republic of Belarus, the administrative center of the Grodno region and the Grodno district wherein the city is not included. The city is located in the western part of the region, on the Neman River, near the border with Poland and Lithuania (15 and 30 km, respectively). It is a node of automobile and railway roads. The population as of January 1, 2016 - 365 610 people. For this indicator, the city is the fifth largest one in the country. The area of the city - the third largest among all the urban areas of Belarus, of 142.11 square kilometers. (Wikipedia).

 Tourist Attraction No.1: Holy Assumption Orthodox monastery in the village of Zhirovichi

Every nation has its own holy sites: Russians - the Holy Trinity - St. Sergius Lavra, Ukrainians - Kiev-Pechersk Lavra in Kiev. For Belarusians the spiritual center is the Holy Assumption Orthodox monastery in the village of Zhirovichi, Slonim district, Grodno region. The monastery is located 11 kilometers from the town of Slonim, in 148 kilometers from Grodno, and in 214 kilometers from Minsk. The monastery is a complex of buildings that includes: Holy Assumption Cathedral with a belfry, Yavlenskaya, St. Nicholas and Holy Cross Churches  monks' living quarters, slender and beautiful buildings of Minsk theological schools - seminaries and academies, where future priests are trained. The complex of the buildings of the monastery is a unique monument of architecture of the 17th -18th centuries which harmoniously combines classical architectural styles, Baroque and Rococo, but above all, the monastery is a spiritual center, where hundreds of pilgrims find solace, where severe ailments are cured and souls are purified. The history of the monastery began when, according to a legend, water started beating from under the wild pear in the village  of Zhirovichi. In 1470, the miraculous appearance of  the icon of Our Lady took place on this pear tree. In accordance with  the Orthodox tradition, a wooden church was built in this place and the miraculous icon of Our Lady was put in the church. The  temple attracted hundreds of pilgrims. However, after several decades, the temple was burned, and the icon was lost. Fortunately, peasant children witnessed the Virgin sitting on a large rock. Thus, the appearance of the Blessed Virgin took place for the second time. The children hurried to their parents to tell about that extraordinary vision. The news spread fast and people, together with a priest, walked to the site.   On the stone they found a burning candle and the miraculous icon, which was affected by the fire only a little. In the place of the burnt wooden church a magnificent stone Holy Assumption Cathedral was erected. At the place, where the appearance of the Holy Virgin took place for the second time,  "Yavlenskaya" church was built in 1672. The stone, on which the appearance of the Holy Virgin was winnessed, was placed in the altar of the church. Currently,  the miraculous image of" Our Lady of Zhirovichi" is in the Holy Assumption Cathedral. In addition to the image of the Mother of God of Zhirovichi, there are other especially revered icons, many of which - with the relics of saints. Especially revered icon is the one of  "Our Lady of Kazan". This miraculous icon often mirotochits, many were healed and consoled in front of this icon. There is also the Cross, which accomodates the relics of the saints in the cathedral.

• Address: 57, Cathedral Street, village of Zhirovichi, Slonim district, Grodno region,  Republic of Belarus
• Telephone: +375 16 1562 - 963 91 74 39 14
• Website: www.zhirovichi-monastery.by

Avgustovskiy Canal (Mind this is a visa free tourist attrcation!)

Avgustovskiy canal in the Grodno region is 30 kilometers from Grodno and in 327 km from Minsk. Avgustovskiy Canal is an artificial waterway connecting the River Neman and  the Visla River. The channel length is 102 km, of which 22 km passes through the territory of the Grodno region, and 80 kilometers through the territory of Poland. In the early 19th century Prussia increased duties on the import of goods to the Baltic ports, and the Russian Empire decided to create a new exit into the Baltic Sea - to build an artificial waterway. The construction of the Avgustovskiy canal was launched in 1823. The сanal was opened in 1839. After World War II the сanal on the territory of Belarus was in decline. The reconstruction of the сanal took place in 2006, anda  special tourist and recreational park "Avgustovskiy Сanal” was set up. This tourist sight attracts tourists not only by unique nature and beauty of the surrounding landscapes, but also by unique waterworks. During the excursion tourists visit gateways, ride on the canal on the boat with the locking and have a good rest in the numerous pavilions along the picturesque canal. From October 26, 2016 to December 31, 2017 a visa-free regime for tourists visiting the "special tourist and recreational park "Avgustovskiy Canal” has  been functioning.

Other sights of  Grodno and Grodno region can be found in the section of the website "Excursions and museums"

Interesting Facts about Grodno and Grodno region:

• Most of the territory of the Grodno region is covered with forests; there are many rivers and lakes. In the Grodno region the third largest river in Belarus Neman flows at a distance of 937 kilometers. The river flows through the territory of Belarus and Lithuania (in Lithuania it is called the Nyamunas) into the Baltic Sea. Many poems and songs have been composed about the river. From time immemorial people have affectionately called it "Father - Neman".
• 20% of the population of  the Grondo region is Poles, who are Roman Catholics. To support Polish community in 1995 a secondary school was opened, in which all subjects are taught in the Polish language and students are able to pass exams and get accepted to Polish universities.
• The majority of the ancient castles are situated in this region. These include castles in the towns of Novogrudok, Mir, Lida and Krewo, the remains of the fortress of the First World War, a church with the distinct features of the defensive character in the village of Synkovichi.