LIDA

Lida is a city in western Belarus, located in Grodno Region and serving as the administrative center of Lida District. It is known for its medieval fortress, Lida Castle, which dates to the 14th century and served as an important defensive stronghold of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and, later, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The castle remains a major historical landmark and a focus of local heritage.

The town developed around the fortress and grew as a regional center for trade and crafts. Over the centuries, Lida was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, then the Russian Empire after the partitions of Poland, and became part of Belarus after the 20th century changes, including the Soviet era and independence in 1991. The city sustained damage during World War II and underwent postwar reconstruction.

Today Lida has a diversified economy that includes light industry, food processing, and services, along with agricultural surroundings. Cultural life centers on historical preservation, local museums, and traditional events. The surrounding district features rural settlements and forests typical of western Belarus.

Within the broader use of the name, Lida is also a feminine given name in several languages, sometimes regarded as a form of Lydia.