Grodno. Sovetskaya Square.

     In the historical center of Grodno there is one of the main squares of the city called Sovetskaya Square. The square has changed its name several times in its history. Initially, there was a Trade Square, then Ratushnaya, Sobornaya, Stefan Batory, Kirchplatz and Sovetskaya.

         In the 14th century, Prince Vitovt founded a wooden church called Fara Vitovta on the square. The temple has not survived to our time, and in its place there is a memorial sign on the outskirts of the square in the park. The square with the Old Castle was connected by Castle (Zamkovaya) Street, where many ancient buildings have been preserved.

           The square is becoming the center of Grodno's social life. It has a rectangular shape. At the beginning of the 16th century, the town hall was built, where the city magistrate worked. There was a castle courtyard on the site of the modern Palace of Culture of Textile Workers. By the way, there is a legend about this palace that it was built in Soviet times not with the front facade to Sovetskaya Square, but with the back side.

         The first city tavern was built on the corner of Sovetskaya Street and the square in the 16th century. The building has been preserved to our time in a rebuilt form.

         At the same time, the palace of King Stefan Batory was being built, which is known as Batorievka and is located near the Church of Francis Xavier. The church belonged to the Catholic Jesuit Order and was built in the early 18th century. Near the church there is a 17th-century pharmacy museum and a Jesuit college.

          In the 17th century, the Radziwill Magnate's palace was built on the square, which has not survived to our time. An Art Nouveau building, the House of merchant Muravyov, has been erected on the square.

           Several architectural monuments of different eras and styles have been preserved on Sovetskaya Square. In recent years, the square has been improved, and the monuments have been restored.