Grodno, or as it is also called Hrodna, is one of the most beautiful Belarusian cities, located in the west on the banks of the Neman River. Grodno has been a border town since the 12th century and has served as a border point for various states. The city has the largest Catholic population in the country, as well as a large number of Eastern Orthodox. It is also an important center of Polish culture, where the churches and buildings of the city are famous for their architectural splendor. Grodno has a distinctive natural environment, where green areas, trees that cover most of the areas, water pools and plains that make it a distinctive green city.