The Lida Castle was erected in 1323 by the Grand Duke of Lithuania Hiedymin at the confluence of the Lidzieja and Kamienka rivers. It was a part of the Navahrudak – Kreva – Miedniki – Troki defense line of defense against the Crusaders.

In the 14th century, its walls repeatedly withstood the Crusaders attacks. For the first time German troops appeared here in 1392.

The mid-17th – early 18th centuries wars befell Lida. In the summer of 1659, the castle was surrounded by the 30 thousand Moscow army. In the beginning of the 18th century, during the Great Northern War, the Sweden troops heavily damaged the castle. Both towers were blown up, and the fortress lost its defensive role. Gradually, the Lida Castle walls fell into disrepair. In the summer of 1794, Tadevuš Kasciuška's rebels fought with the Russian troops on the Lida Castle ruins.

In 1891, there was a big fire in Lida. After it, locals even tried to take the castle walls to bricks. In the early 20th century, conservation works took place. The construction commission for the Lida Castle restoration was created. From 1909 to 1911, the east, west and north walls were brought to the proper condition. The south wall did not require significant repair work.

Between the wars, Polish restorers led by a young architect Teodor Bursche carried out some restoration works. They connected the west and south walls with a stone dike, partially restored the ruined north-west quoin and bricked up the side entrances. The wooden gate was installed in the place of the ruined south-west quoin. Traveling circuses and zoos sometimes stayed there in the summer touring, and a skating rink was arranged and the Christmas tree was put in winter.

During the Nazi occupation, since June 1941, a camp of Soviet prisoners was located here.

The Lida Castle restoration started in 1978 and should have been finished by 1985. However, in the mid 1990-s, it was stopped due to lack of funding.

In 2001, at the state level, it was decided to develop a project for carrying out first priority emergency works in the castle. Persistent restoration works and numerous archeological excavations have been carried out in Lida Castle over the past 20 years. The festivals and knight tournaments, as well as fascinating costume productions are held here. Visitors are welcomed on the “Hiedymin’s Castle – a monument of the 14th century architecture” excursion. The “Archaeological finds of Lida Castle” photo exhibition is operating here; based on it, the “School of Archeology” museum and pedagogical classes are given.

Please use our audioguide to the Lida Castle Museum!

Publication date: 30.06.2017.

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