How do I get to Lida Castle from Minsk?

You can drive to Lida Castle in about 2 hours via the M6 highway, take a marshrutka or the train, or use a combination of both.

Are there any accommodations near Lida Castle?

Yes, there's a hotel right across the street from the castle, and plenty of dining options nearby.

What can I expect to see at Lida Castle?

You can explore the castle's first tower, see exhibits on its history and architecture, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Is Lida Castle suitable for families?

Yes, children get in for free, and there are plenty of activities and exhibits to keep them engaged.

Can I take photos at Lida Castle?

Yes, you're free to take photos and capture memories of your visit.

Are there any guided tours available at Lida Castle?

Yes, you can take a guided tour to learn more about the castle's history and architecture.

Can I bring food and drinks into the castle?

Yes, you're allowed to bring your own food and drinks into the castle.

Are there any restaurants or cafes near Lida Castle?

Yes, there are plenty of dining options nearby, including a hotel restaurant and several cafes.

Lida Castle Review: A Medieval Atmosphere to Explore

Immersing Myself in the Medieval Atmosphere at Lida Castle

I've walked past Lida Castle countless times, but this time I decided to immerse myself in the medieval atmosphere and visit the castle. As a local, I've grown accustomed to its imposing stone and red brick walls, but tourists often include it in their itinerary.

This time, I wanted to explore the castle's history and architecture. Getting to Lida Castle is relatively easy – it's about a 2-hour drive from Minsk via the M6 highway. You can also take a marshrutka or the train, and there are plenty of parking spots near the castle.

The area around the castle is beautiful, even if it's not the most picturesque season. There's a hotel right across the street, and plenty of dining options nearby. I've always found the introvert's balcony amusing whenever I drove past the castle – sometimes we all need a bit of solitude.

Opening Hours:

The castle is open to visitors, and admission is paid – around 350 rubles per person, with children getting in for free. You can head straight into the first tower after purchasing your ticket, and there are two towers in total.

I was surprised by the castle's architecture, which is a mix of medieval and modern elements. The western part of Belarus has a rich history, having been part of various states and principalities. From each era, something has been preserved as a legacy.

Foreign tourists would do well to at least read up on who Prince Gediminas was and why these castles were built in the first place. The castle's original layout was surrounded by a moat with a boggy bottom and had two entrances with drawbridges. In case of danger, the fortress became impenetrable.

As you climb the stairs to other halls, you get to glance at the walls featuring various photos and paintings. And a ton of secret rooms with locked doors – there are a lot of doors, and half of them are actually locked. But you can't get lost – there's only one route.

The second hall is filled with medieval tools and everyday items, including construction tools and household stuff. I have to admit, this part wasn't that exciting for me – nails and nails... they dug them up and put them under glass. Kudos, but it's a bit dull.

I do have to give credit where credit is due, though – the museum is thought out to the smallest detail. Wherever you look, there's something ancient and historically significant lying around or hanging from the ceiling.

I loved the third hall, the bedroom – you can even take a photo sitting by the fireplace. And in the other halls, you can't touch anything, unless you want to take a photo surrounded by poor little animals.

There are two more halls, like art galleries, above the bedroom, and plenty of exhibits from the digs. I walked through, yawning, not really my cup of tea. But I appreciated the beauty of the staircase.

Most of the paintings are temples, but there were some creepy ones with strange creatures in the fire. I didn't take a photo of those.

After looking at the paintings, you have to go back down to the bedroom to exit and then walk along the balcony all the way to the second tower. The photo makes it look less intimidating than it actually is – it's not even that tall, but it's still a rush when you look down.

There are signs or ropes marking off areas you're not allowed to enter, like this staircase, for example – it's not safe to go down. And that's a good thing, because it looks ancient and unreliable.

So, we made it to the second tower, and then we found ourselves in a room that's both amazing and terrifying – it's got animal hides, skulls, and taxidermied animals all over the place. There's a massive bear on one wall...

The woman in charge of this area noticed my confusion and quickly explained that these animals and birds used to live in zoos. They died naturally and were only then turned into taxidermy.

I almost believed her, except for the smiling Pumba, which made me wonder if someone might have ended up on this wall against their will.

Want a fancy fur coat? Maybe one made from wolf, like in the Middle Ages?

After that awkward feeling, we're offered a meal – or rather, a photo opportunity at a table full of appetizing dishes. You can even wear a crown and hold a mug. Just don't touch anything else.

The armory is the most impressive part – gunpowder barrels, arrows, bows, spears, and that thing. It's no surprise, really, that a fortress like this would have plenty of weapons. The main thing is to raise the drawbridge on time.

On the top floor of this tower is the scariest staircase I've ever seen – it's nerve-wracking to climb it, and even more so to come back down.

Walking into the hall, I felt like I was surrounded by knights – the coats of arms, flags, costumes, and the history – it all felt a bit surreal. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched, like everyone was staring at me from under their helmets.

Under the glass, there were some nice, but modern-looking props – gold, crowns, and jewelry – it all looked like it belonged in a photo shoot at Lid's castle today. It was interesting, but not as thrilling as I had hoped.

But then I read that... well, I don't know how to put it politely, and I just quietly left the hall. I was shocked, and I'm still trying to process it all. What kind of humor is that? It's just disgusting.

I was still reeling from that when we walked into the final hall of the tower – and right in front of me, I saw one of the most terrifying characters from those horror movies about asylums – the crazy doctor, doing all sorts of twisted things.

The tour guide corrected me, though – apparently, the doctor wasn't completely crazy. They used to wear masks like that during outbreaks of various infections. Okay, I get it. I turned my head to the next exhibit, and I was shocked again! To be honest, the last room was the most unexpected part.

I have to admit, it was a real shock, but I couldn't leave. It was creepy, to the point of giving me goosebumps, and also really interesting.

Apparently, women who weighed less than 50 kg were considered witches. We all know what happened next.

You can even take a photo here if you want. I'm not sure why they put a broomstick near the pillar of shame, but it looked like they used to lock people up for all sorts of crimes.

Most of the torture devices here are for women, judging by the signs and pictures next to them. Was someone trying to sit here, or did they need to tie a warning sign around it?

Going back over the photos before writing this review, I re-read the signs and I have to admit, it gave me the chills. What a nightmare...

To be honest, in this room I completely forgot about all the previous impressions from my walk around the castle. All that was left was fear, horror, and panic.

Check out what they actually used the 'loyalty belt' for, which made a lot of people laugh. Not so funny anymore, though.

One of the tourists, looking at the guide who was sitting calmly next to the executioner's mask, said, 'I'd go crazy being here all day.' And that's the truth.

I'm not sure if these items are genuine from back then or were made last year, but the experience they evoke is heavy either way.

Especially when you read the descriptions (not recommended for the faint of heart).

What a relief that we didn't have to navigate down to the lower floor after this exhibit. It's located on the first floor, so we could quickly exit to the fresh air and take a breather. Whew!

This is one of the bridges that would be raised in case of a threat – there's a special mechanism on the side. I didn't check if it was working or not.

We spent an hour walking through the castle, assuming we skipped some exhibits where things weren't that interesting and moved on. Those who took their time chatting with the tour guides and snapping photos at all the designated spots probably lingered for at least two hours.

Personally, I didn't even think about food after seeing everything. But if you're interested, there's a great café right inside the castle. Prices are a bit higher than elsewhere, and you need to book in advance, but the food is really delicious.

What else can I say? There were hardly any people in the morning, but by lunchtime, there was already a queue at the ticket counter. I think it wouldn't be very comfortable to walk through the narrow staircases in a big crowd. If you want to see everything in a comfortable atmosphere, go in the morning. The evening is a good time to process your impressions, and by night, you won't be having any nightmares after seeing some of the exhibits.

I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed. I'm still in awe of the place. Some parts even left me speechless. It's not just a bunch of medieval ruins – Lid's castle is a must-visit destination if you ever get the chance. I highly recommend it.

Thanks for reading!