Baroque Grodno

the bridgettine convent (1642)

probably spectacular landmark of hrodna cathedral of st. francis xavier, former (until 1773) jesuit church on batory square (now: soviet square). confident specimen of high baroque architecture, exceeding 50 metres in height, started in 1678. due wars rocked poland-lithuania @ time, cathedral consecrated 27 years later, in presence of peter great , augustus strong. late baroque frescoes executed in 1752.

the extensive grounds of bernardine monastery (1602–18), renovated in 1680 , 1738, display styles flourishing in 17th century, gothic baroque. interior considered masterpiece of so-called vilnius baroque. other monastic establishments include old franciscan cloister (1635), basilian convent (1720–51, giuseppe fontana iii), church of bridgettine cloister (1642, 1 of earliest baroque buildings in region) wooden two-storey dormitory (1630s) still standing on grounds, , 18th-century buildings of dominican monastery (its cathedral demolished in 1874).

among other sights in hrodna , environs, should mention orthodox cathedral, polychrome russian revival extravaganza 1904; botanical garden, first in polish–lithuanian commonwealth, founded in 1774; curiously curved building on central square (1780s); 254-metre-high tv tower (1984); , stanisławów, summer residence of last polish king.