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Lida (Belarusian: Лі́да, Russian: Ли́да, Lithuanian: Lyda, Polish: 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 1 History 1.1 Medieval origin 1.2 Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth 1.3 Russian Empire 1.4 Recent history 1.5 Historical monuments: 2 Facts 3 See also 4 External links

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 ot them, the seat of Algirdas.

Lida was in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the second half of the 14th and 15th centuries, and 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. Around 1550 Lida was the centre of Vilnius province and seat of a elderate. The population was between 2000 to 5000 people.

The 17th century was a difficult time in Lida. Caught in wars between Rzeczpospolita with Russia and Sweden. A depression resulted, and people moved out of Lida. By 1786, 514 inhabitants were left in Lida. Beginning 1795, Lida was part of the Russian Empire as a powiat centre of Slonim (1795). Then Lida was part of Lithuania gubernia in 1797 and in 1801 Grodno gubernia.

The town was greatly destroyed during the French occupation in 1812. In 1817 the population was 1366 people. Beginning in 1842 Lida is the "district" centre in Vilnius gubernia. 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.

• During WWI 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 Nowogrudek wojewodstwo. 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 Belorussian 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.

• Lida Castle
• Catholic Church in Lida
• Church of St. Joseph in Lida

• Altitude: 158 m
• Population: 99,600 (Jan 01, 1999)
• Stormy weather

Recently reconstructed castle in Lida

• Lida River

• 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

Coordinates: 53°53′N 25°18′E