The rout: Minsk – Hrodna – Muravanka - Minsk.
Length: 600 km.
Duration: 14 hours.
Anywhere in Belarus you find as many historical landmarks as in Hrodna. Ancient churches, two castles, old narrow streets and the majestic Neman, all these supplies the city with real European atmosphere and encourages deepening into the history of this wonderful place.
Our tour around the Hrodna region begins with The Kaloža church of St. Boris and Gleb. This is one of the oldest buildings in Belarus that towers on the right bank of the Nioman. It is possible to see the silhouettes of two castles in the distance when standing on a high bank of the river. Visiting these castles is an invariable part of our tour. The older castle was built by Grand Duke Vitovt, the New castle was built by the last but one king of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth August ІІІ. There are now museums inside both of the castles and it is possible to visit them at your pleasure (1 or 2).
The excursion around Hrodna cannot be complete without walking tour along the meandering narrow streets of the old city. There are a lot to see here: ancient gentry’ palaces, Christian and Catholic churches and certainly the Cathedral – one of the biggest churches in Belarus.
Our tour is supplemented with the overlook of the former faubourg of Haradnica and Ažeški Street. You may also visit the zoo or the pharmacy museum (at pleasure).
On our way back home we stopped in village Muravanka that is situated on half way to Minsk. You will see here on of the most interesting monuments of the Renaissance in our country - the Church of Nativity of God’s Mother, which is often called the church-fortress. Why? The walls of the church themselves will give you the answer.