Located in western Belarus, this town centers around a well-preserved 16th-century fortress with panoramic views. Local churches and museums reflect the area's past near the Polish border.
Lida, a city in western Belarus 168 kilometers from Minsk, centers around a restored 14th-century castle with distinctive crimson walls. You can ice skate in the castle courtyard during winter, watch medieval tournaments in summer, and explore the city's historic brewery. Walk through streets lined with architectural landmarks like the round-domed St. Joseph's Church and the 18th-century Church of the Exaltation of the Cross.
Exploring Lida Castle
The restored crimson walls of Lida Castle rise between the Kamenka and Lida rivers, built by Grand Duke Gediminas in 1323. Walk along the 12-meter-high walls and climb the two angular towers that withstood multiple sieges by Teutonic Knights. Visit during summer festivals to see performers recreate 15th-century events, including the wedding of Sophia of Halshany and King Jahajla. From December through February, you can ice skate in the 80-meter inner courtyard. The castle opens daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
Religious Architecture
The round-domed Piarist Church of St. Joseph (1794-1825) displays Late Classicism architecture with a columned portico similar to Rome's Pantheon. After reconstruction following an 1842 fire, the building became an Eastern Orthodox church. Walk down Grunwald Street to see the Roman Catholic Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, an 18th-century building with carved wooden altars and ornate Baroque decorations.
Jewish Memorial Sites
Visit the memorial on Sovietskaya Street, built in 2003, which documents the history of Lida's pre-war Jewish community. The site includes information panels in multiple languages and a monument to thousands who died during World War II. The preserved Jewish cemetery on Mashherova Street and the former synagogue building on Pieramožcaŭ Street remain as important historical sites.
Local Food and Drink
Visit the Lida Brewery, one of Belarus's oldest, to see how local beer is made. Take a guided tour through the production facilities where you can learn about both traditional and modern brewing methods. The brewery produces beer, grain kvass, and carbonated water. Tours run Monday through Friday at 14:00 and 16:00, with advance booking required.
Getting to Lida
Trains run every two hours between Minsk and Lida (journey time: 3 hours), while buses depart hourly (journey time: 3.5 hours). From Grodno, catch one of six daily trains (journey time: 2.5 hours) or hourly buses (journey time: 2 hours). By car, take the M6 motorway and follow signs to Lida city center. The main attractions lie within a 2-kilometer radius, making walking the best way to explore. Two hotels operate near the castle: Hotel Lida and Hotel Continent.
