Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Grodno

a 16th-century view of grodno.



the new castle in grodno used summer residence of polish–lithuanian commonwealth monarchs.

to aid reconstruction of trade , commerce, grand dukes allowed creation of jewish commune in 1389. 1 of first jewish communities in grand duchy. in 1441 city received charter, based on magdeburg law.

the city site of 2 battles, battle of grodno (1706) , battle of grodno (1708) during great northern war. after first partition of polish–lithuanian commonwealth, grodno became capital of short-lived grodno voivodeship in 1793.

as important centre of trade, commerce, , culture, grodno remained 1 of places sejms held. also, old , new castles visited commonwealth monarchs including famous stephen báthory of poland made royal residence here. in 1793 last sejm in history of commonwealth occurred @ grodno. 2 years afterwards, in 1795, russia obtained city in third partition of poland. in new castle on november 25 of year last polish king , lithuanian grand duke stanisław august poniatowski abdicated. in russian empire, city continued serve role seat of grodno governorate since 1801. industrial activities, started in late 18th century antoni tyzenhaus, continued develop.

count aleksander bisping arrested , imprisoned here during january uprising before exile ufa.

like many other cities in eastern europe, grodno had significant jewish population before holocaust: according russian census of 1897, out of total population of 46,900, jews constituted 22,700 (around 48%, or half of total population).