10 castles of Ukraine worth visiting

I will tell you about the castles of Ukraine: photos with names and a short description of what to see and what they are known for.

It is not a secret that great kings and princes build many medieval castles with a rich history in our country. At different times, they were defensive fortresses and magnificent palaces. Some managed to survive well, but most were destroyed by wars, human stupidity, lack of funding, and today need reconstruction. However, there are several here you can spend a couple of nights for a reasonable fee.

Castle-museum “Radomysl”, Radomysl, Zhytomyr region

The ancient building of the 17th century was originally a paper factory. The planned and built castle in Radomysl followed the standards of defense structures: the granite rock protected against undermining, and the internal drinking source was allowed to hold out for a long time under siege. The source still exists today. You can find it in the Concert Hall behind the grand piano. This is the only hall in the world with a living source.

Previously, sacred texts and papers for the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra were printed in Radomysl. It took up to three months to produce one printed sheet of paper. On this paper, the first book, “Chasoslov,” was published in Kyiv. Today you can see the detailed technology of the 17th century. And everyone can participate in the process.

During the time of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, the factory-fortress was destroyed and abandoned for several centuries. And in 1902, a water mill was built in its place, during the reconstruction of which the remains of the factory were discovered.

Today, the following works on the territory of the castle:

• an exclusive hotel on the site of monastic cells;
• the world’s only museum of Ukrainian icons and antiquities;
• a restaurant in a stone hall with medieval decoration;
• a shooting range where you can shoot a crossbow.

The best view of the surroundings, the Myka River, and the waterfalls can be seen from the observation deck of the 30-meter tower. Excursions are available sometimes, so it is better to specify the time and cost in advance. Cultural events, concerts, and conferences are constantly held in Radomysl.

Lubart Castle, Lutsk

One of the oldest, most well-preserved castles in Ukraine. The monumental citadel was erected in the 14th century by the last prince of the Galicia-Volyn principality, Lubart Gedyminovich. After the formation of the Polish-Lithuanian Principality, the fortress became the royal residence.

During the wars, a large part of the castle was destroyed. After an intense fire in 1845, many churches were damaged. The charred walls of the castle began to be stretched as a building material. The upper castle with three entrance towers is best preserved. The highest reaches 27 meters in height. In the courtyard of the fortress, there are Noble and Episcopal houses. Thanks to the restoration work, the entire territory is available for viewing, and various thematic museums have been created.

Music and art festivals are held in Lubart every year. The most unusual is the festival of ringers in the ancient belfry, built over the ruins of the 12th-century temple. In 2011, Verkhniy Zamok topped the “7 Wonders of Ukraine” rating.

Castle “White Swan”, p. Medzhibyzh, Khmelnytskyi region

The ancient castle acquired its modern contours over several centuries. In the 12th century, the fortress was only wooden structures on earthen ramparts, and stone fortifications 2 m thick were built over several centuries. Subsequently, the 17-meter Knight’s and Officer’s towers were built, the thickness of the walls reaching 4 m.

A few centuries later, a five-petal bastion with rifle loopholes was built. The final look and name of the Medzhibiz fortress was acquired in 1846, when it was decorated in a romantic style and the walls were plastered. Wars and Soviet perestroika caused significant damage to the White Swan.

After World War II, the government allowed the fortress walls to be used as a building material, and the fortress became an oil factory. Reconstruction began in 1967: then, the castle was recognized as having a historical value. Every year, large-scale reconstructions of ancient battles, historical productions, and medieval dances occur within the fortress’s walls. Museums of history, ethnography, and the Holodomor are open for visitors. The walls of the fortress offer a stunning view of the South Bug River and the surrounding area.

Zbarazh Castle, Zbarazh, Ternopil region

The unique architectural monument appeared thanks to the nobleman Khristofor Zbarazki during the time of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 15th century. The rest of the buildings were almost destroyed by fires and military actions. The moat around the fortress and the stone bridge are still preserved today.

For some time, a sugar factory worked on the castle’s ruins. At the beginning of the 20th century, they tried to restore the castle and placed it first as a museum, then as a gymnasium. After the Second World War, the remains of the fortress buildings were stretched by local residents to rebuild houses. In the early 1990s, the premises were adapted for sports sections.

In 1994, the castle was recognized as a historical value, after which restoration work began. Today, in the halls of the Renaissance Zbarazh Palace, there is a museum of local history, which exhibits antique pieces of furniture, coin collections, paintings, and medieval weapons. The ethnographic and archaeological exposition includes more than 11,000 exhibits from 6 countries.

In the castle’s courtyard, a 70-meter-long well has been preserved, connected by underground tunnels to the Bernardine monastery at the other end of the town of Zbarazh.

Radzivil Castle, Olika village, Volyn region

The ancestral castle of Lithuanian Chancellor Radzivil was built in the 16th century. It was one of Ukraine’s first square bastion fortresses, which performed a defensive function until the end of the 18th century. By the middle of the 20th century, it remained a family residence. The last owner of the three-story palace was Janusz Radziwill, who was arrested and exiled to Siberia in 1939.

Initially, the area of ​​the fortress reached 2.7 hectares, and the number of rooms was exactly 365, which is the number of days per year. The park zone, lakes, and Putylivka river create a picturesque atmosphere. A psychiatric clinic operates on the territory of the castle. Therefore, you can only admire the architecture outside or walk in the yard. You can enter the houses only by prior agreement with the administration. You can get inside the fortress through the entrance tower by an ancient bridge that once rose.

In some places, the road is well-preserved, paved with hexagonal medieval cobblestones. The 15th-century Church of the Holy Trinity is located near the Radzyvil Castle. Its reconstruction has been ongoing since 2013.

Olesky castle, Oleska, Lviv region

The fortress was built to protect against Tatar raids. The first fortification walls around the mountain arose in the 13th century. The excellent location contributed to the expansion of the castle. During the reign of Jan III Sobieski, the court became an official residence, and its heyday began.

Due to fires, military operations, and a strong earthquake in the 19th century, not much remained from the Olesky Castle, and the lightning of 1951 led to even greater destruction. Only some rooms have been preserved with the original decoration of the walls, windows, and door portals.

Long-term restoration work began in 1958. Today, the Olesky Castle houses a museum of the history of the area where it is located. The pearl of the exposition is one of the largest collections of wooden sculptures in Europe.

Pidhoretsky Castle, village Pidhirtsi, Lviv region

Construction of the castle began in the 15th century. Still, only with the arrival of a new owner in the 17th century, the Crown Hetman of Konetspol, the fortification turned into a palace fortress. For him, a two-story castle with towers and pavilions was designed and built. The location on the hill gave a great view of the area for many kilometers. The square-shaped castle was entered through an arch, and a moat surrounded the impregnable fortress on three sides. And even the walking terrace with sculptures and balustrades was adapted entirely for defense.

The castle complex got its modern look in the 18th century. Under Vaclav Zhevuskyi: the third floor was completed, the Italian Park was laid out, and the fame of the interior decoration of the palace spread throughout Europe. The house is decorated with two Spiers on the roof with whimsical figures in the form of people holding a golden ball and a ball with molecules. These intricate sculptures were created by the master alchemist Severyn Zhevusk.

The First and Second World Wars caused significant destruction, historical and cultural values ​​in the premises were looted, and a fire in 1956 almost destroyed the remains of furniture and interiors. For a long time, medical institutions functioned near the castle complex. In 1997, a large-scale reconstruction began, which has not yet been completed.

Tourists can stroll through the Italian Park with cascading trees, and a 300-meter avenue through the French Park will lead to the ancient Church of St. Joseph. The extreme popularity of the castle was brought about by the filming of the Soviet film “D’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers”.

Zolochiv Castle, Zolochiv, Lviv region

A unique architectural monument of the 17th century well preserved until our time. However, during the history of its existence, it was used not only as a fortress or a royal palace. A prison and an educational institution were housed within its walls for some time.

First, tourists are not attracted to the main Grand Palace but to the Chinese Palace. It was he who became the visiting card of Zolochiv castle. The Renaissance castle is a two-story structure surrounded by moats and ramparts. In the Chinese Palace, you can admire the original stucco molding above the windows and doors and visit the tea and numerous exhibition rooms. The circular balcony on the second floor will help you get a complete view of the park from a height. In the center of the park, there is a fountain surrounded by well-kept flowerbeds and alleys for walks.

The Grand Palace also has a lot to see. It houses the Castle History Museum with collections of paintings, furniture, weapons, and archaeological finds. The underground passage and dressing rooms with 17th-century interiors have been restored. The Great Palace is known for the fact that the first sewage system in Ukraine was installed in it.

Svirg Castle, village Svirzh, Lviv region

The high hill, surrounded by swampy terrain, became an ideal place to construct a fortress in the 15th century. A moat surrounded the only accessible southern side. However, in the 17th century, the castle was wholly reconstructed under the leadership of a military architect, which made it possible to hold the siege from enemies effectively.

In the 18th century, The Svirka castle ceased to have a strategic purpose and was rebuilt into a magnificent palace of the Renaissance era. The loopholes became windows, the entrance gate was decorated with carvings, and a lush English garden was laid out in the yard.

Heavy destruction began in the 19th century. Attempts at capital reconstruction at the beginning of the 20th century collapsed due to the First World War. The state of the castle finally deteriorated in 1941-1945.

Large-scale restoration work has repeatedly started and ended due to a lack of funding. Today, the restoration is not finished. Tourist entrances are possible only in the complex’s courtyard, where the ancient well has been preserved. Opposite the central hall of the old Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, there was a Greek Catholic church.

The episode about the poisoning of Constance from the movie “D’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers” was filmed in the walls of the Svirg Castle.

Palanok Castle, Mukachevo, Transcarpathian Region

The mountain of volcanic origin made it possible to build a fortress at 68 m. Construction work began in the 11th century and lasted for three centuries. Most of the defensive structures were built at the end of the 14th century under Fedor II Koryatovych. From that moment on, the building ceased to perform an exclusively defensive function and became the permanent residence of the princes. Despite the fact that centuries of history, destruction, and repeated reconstruction due to changes of owners, the palace halls and underground passageways have been well preserved.

Today, they house exhibits from the Mukachevo Historical Museum, a wine cellar, a cafe, and small souvenir shops. The castle area occupies almost 14,000 square meters, equivalent to two football fields. The etymology of the word “palanok” is deciphered as palisade: the first defensive structures were made of oak stakes around the mountain’s perimeter.