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'Lida' (, , , ) is a city in western Belarus in Hrodna Voblast, situated 160 km west of Minsk. It is the fourteenth largest city in Belarus.

Contents

History

Medieval origin

Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and imperial Russia

Recent history

Historical monuments:

Facts

People

See also

External links

History

Medieval origin

There are passing mentions of Lida in chronicles from 1180. Until the early 1300's the settlement at Lida was a wooden fortress. In 1323, the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas built a brick fortress there. 1380 is generally considered the founding year of the city of Lida. The fortress with stood Crusader attacks from Prussia in 1392 and 1394 but it was burned to the ground in 1710. Following the death of Gediminas, when Lithuania was divided into principalities, Lida became the capital of one of them, the seat of Algirdas.

Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Lida was in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In the second half of the 14th century, after the Christianization of Lithuania the Catholic parish was established in former pagan lands and a Church was built by Jogaila (ruins are still preserved). Subsequently in 15th century town became a centre of production by craftsmen and trade. Lida was connected with Vilnius, Navahrudak and Minsk. At that time the town had a market square and four streets ''Wielenska'', ''Zamkowa'', ''Kamieńska'' and ''Krivaya''. In 1588 Lida became the seat of ''Lida District'' in ''Vilnius Voivodeship''. Magdeburg Rights were granted to the town in 1590 and confirmed in 1776 by the Polish Sejm. By these rights Lida held two annual fairs of little import to the local economy. The population was between 2000 to 5000 people.

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and imperial Russia

The 17th century was a difficult time in Lida. Caught by invading to Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth forces of Russia and Sweden. A depression resulted, and people moved out of Lida. By 1786, 514 inhabitants were left in Lida. in 1795, Lida was annexed by the Russian Empire as a powiat centre of the Slonim Governorate (1795). Afterwards, Lida was a part of the Lithuania Governorate in 1797 and of Grodno Governorate since 1801.
The town was greatly destroyed during the French occupation in 1812. In 1817 the population was 1366 people. Since 1842 Lida was the "district" centre in Vilna Governorate. In 1863 and 1873, two beer factories were built in Lida. In 1884, the railway ''Vilnius-Lunenets'' was finished. In 1907, the railway ''Molodechno-Mosty'' opened. The 1897 population was 8626 people.
A two-year school opened. Then, a parish school with the department for girls opened as did a Jewish school. In 1899 a hospital opened which consisted of 25 beds. In 1901 cast-iron plant began to operate. In 1903 sawmill started its operation. At the end of 19th century and at the beginning of 20 century two brick plants were built. In 1904, there were 1000 houses of which 275 were brick, fourteen small enterprises, four hospitals with beds for 115 people, and six elementary schools for 700 pupils. In 1904, in near Minsk the Russian Social Democratic Party was formed. During the revolutions of 1905-07, the uprisings of the workers took place, complete with political slogans. In 1914, there were almost 40 factories.

Recent history

★ During World War I Lida was occupied by the German troops.

★ 1919 the Red Army established Soviet power.

★ April 17 1919, Polish troops enter Lida.

★ July 17 1920 the Red Army returnes.

★ September 30 1920 Polish regains control.
In accordance with Riga Peace Treaty of 1921, it belonged to Poland as the powiat centre in Nowogródek Voivodship. In 1927, there were twenty-four factories in Lida. 1928 were years of rapid growth in the production. A new rubber good's factory started up, employing almost 800 people.
In 1939 Lida became part of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic.
Beginning January 1940 Lida was the centre of Lida region, Baranowicze district.
From June 1941 to July 1944, it was occupied by the German troops who slaughtered almost 25,149 people. Beginning of September 1944, Lida was in Grodno district.

Historical monuments:

★ Lida Castle

★ Catholic Church in Lida

★ Church of St. Joseph in Lida

Facts

★ Altitude: 158 m

★ Population: 99,600 (Jan 01, 1999)

★ Stormy weather

People

★ Pola Raksa

See also

★ Lida River

External links

★ Short article on history of Lida

★ Lida Castle

★ A Brief History of Lida District

★ Article on History of Lida

★ Lida on Official Region Site

★ History