In the 13-14^th century the City of Grodno tantalized the Crusaders, who tried the durability of the castle walls many a time. The chronicles registered the most bloodthirsty attempts to assail the castle and the city it protected in 1284, 1296, 1305, 1306 and 1311.

 

In Europe the castle was thought to be unassailable.

 

In 1398 the wooden fort burned to ashes and was replaced with an all-stone citadel that was tried and tested by the crusaders as early as in 1402.

 

At the best of its time, the castle rested on a bill surrounded by a triangular wall 3 meters thick. The citadel had 5 towers, including one with an entrance gate. Inside the wall overlooking the city there was a two-storied palace of King Vitaut.

 

In the last quarter of the 16^th century Grodno was Polish King Stefan Batory’s favourite residence. The king would elaborate the citadel that was deprived of its ascetical traits and several old towers. The tower with the entrance gate, the Vitaut Palace and the 13^th century pillar were all pulled down.

 

In the upper castle Italian architect Scotto built Stefan Batory’s new renaissance palace.

 

The castle was repeatedly destroyed, restored and rebuilt. Now tourists can see what has become of the citadel and the palaces it nested: assorted fragments of the fortification walls, the ruins of the upper and lower churched, the bridge and the castle site.

 

At the moment, the place is part of the Grodno History and Archeology Museum.