Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Novogrudok

According to chronicles, Novogrudok was founded in 1044 by the Duke of Kiev Yaroslav Mudry. Within two centuries of existence Novogrudok became the richest city in the Prineman area. In the 1240's a kunigos Duke of a Litva tribe, Mindovg, proclaimed the city as the capital of the Great Lithuanian Principality. In 1251, Duke Mindovg was christened here. Two years later he was crowned as the first Duke and King of the Great Lithuanian Principality.
The city was an imprtant political and social center. State Seyms the Court of Appeal and the main tribunal were all seated here. Residence of the Orthodox Metropolitan was established in Novogrudok in the 14th century, and in the 16th century it was changed to the residence of an Unate Metropolitan. In the 16th century the city was appointed as the office-town of the local voevode "province", was granted the priviledge of self-government according to the Statute of Magdeburg, and recieved a coat of arms with an image of Mikhail the Archangel. Since the middle of the 17th century, the city has boasted five Catholic churches, six monasteries, a synagogue and a mosque. Today Novogrudok is a gathering place for all admirers of poet Adam Mitskevich. He loved this city dearly.

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