Traditionally, the northern part of Khmelnytskyi region attracts fewer tourists than the south. However, this place has long been rich in bright events, amazing architecture, history, culture and nature heritage sites. We invite you to travel this route to discover the incredible region of the South-Eastern Volyn.
The first stop of the tour in Hrytsiv village
The Hrokholskyis’ estate in Hrytsiv
The estate was built in the second half of the XVIII century. Through the balcony on the eastern (park) facade grows a giant ash tree – the Tree of Desires. On the second floor of the estate is a ballroom with unique acoustics. Every year on the third Saturday of September the Starovolynsk Charity Ball is held here. Many local legends are associated with the estate. The most mysterious is “The Legend of the White Lady”.
Iziaslav
It is one of the key towns of Pohorynia historical territory, the only town in Ukraine where the planning structure of Kyiv Rus times has been preserved. The historical centre of Iziaslav region arose from a combination of two cities: Old Zaslav (first mention – 1390) and New Zaslav (first mention – 1579).
In Iziaslav we visit: Starozaslavskyi Castle, Church of St. Michael and the Bernardine monastery, Church of St. Joseph and the Lazarist monastery, The Sangushkos’ palace.
Starozaslavskyi Castle
Starozaslavskyi Castle construction in the 15th century is associated with the name of Prince Vasyl Fedorovych Krasnyi. In 2006 Ukraine for the first time allocated funds for the preservation and restoration of the castle. Part of the documentation was made, rubbish on the second floor was removed, lattice and fence were installed around the building. Now part of the lattice is gone, the gates are wide open, the town residents continue to quietly plant potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes and corn on the castle territory; funding has been suspended. Recently the castle has repeatedly been attacked by hunters for building materials and black archaeologists. The main damage fell on the northern facade of the building.
Church of St. Michael and the Bernardine monastery
The complex is located on the high left bank of the Horyn River, so it can be seen from virtually every point of Iziaslav. Monument of the Mannerist era sacred construction was laid in the early XVII century. The monastery is now used as a prison.
Church of St. Joseph and the Lazarist monastery
The construction of the church began in 1747 according to the plan of the Iziaslav mayor, Prince Pavlo Karl Sangushko. The creator of the project is the royal court architect Paolo Fontana, who then served as a lieutenant of the prince artillery. The construction of the church was completed in 1755. The temple is made in the late Baroque style.
The Sangushkos’ palace in Iziaslav
The palace was built in 1754-1770 for Barbara Sangushkova as a private residence and government centre of the Sangushko princes’ Volyn possessions. The building itself is two-storied, with an original pianonoble layout. Unfortunately, only palace ruins remain, but they also speak of the past grandeur of the building.
Arian tower in Tykhomel village
Arian tower-chapel is a unique monument of sacred architecture that has no analogues in Ukraine. It was built in the first quarter of the 17th century by Avraam Seniuta, a representative of the ancient Volyn boyar family. Many Seniutas were followers of Arianism. It is said that the chapel served as an ancestral tomb. It was once decorated with frescoes. Today the building is significantly destroyed.
Windmill in Huta
It is one of the few real windmills in Ukraine available for tourists. Windmill was completely restored in 2011. Inside you can still see scales, a sieve, a grain bucket and a shaft moving under the action of the wind.
Visit to “Sakhnivtsi grandmothers”
The next step of our travels is even more practical. This is a visit to wonderful Sakhnivtsi grandmothers, for whom the village house of culture has already organized a folklore expedition, because of understanding the invaluability of their heritage – it remains to learn singing those songs and take responsibility for their preservation.
Tatar Gate and Ostroh Castle (Rivne region)
Tatar Gate is a monument of defensive architecture, a rare example of barbakan defensive structure. It is one of the most outstanding defensive structures in Ukraine. According to legends, the tower got its name from the Tatar suburb, which was located nearby. Here at one time Prince Ostrozkyi settled captured Tatars. The tower was built in the second half of the XV – early XVI century. Jakub Madlain is considered an architect. For a long time the tower stood half-destroyed in bushes and rubbish. However, there were those who decided to save the majestic monument of the town. And today so-called Cultural Barbakan is an incredible example of preserving region history and monuments.
The castle was built on the site of a wooden fortification destroyed by the Mongol-Tatars in 1241. Originally it was a tower-dungeon, which is now called “Stone Tower”. The castle was the residence of Ostroh princes. Now the Ostroh Museum of Local Lore is located on the territory of Ostroh Castle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QohREOcCNro
The Blue Lakes
11 km northwest of Slavuta town near the railway station Slavuta-2 among the coniferous forests are eight main lakes of artificial origin that formed on the spent quarries site, the sand of which was used to produce reinforced concrete products at one of the largest in the USSR factories. The Blue Lake Hydrological Reserve includes cascade of lakes that is a great place to relax. The most beautiful lake is located near Stryhany village.
Returning to Khmelnytskyi
