The Black Way 4-day bicycle expedition is a challenge for true bicycle fans of history. The tour is created for beginner cyclists, children from 14 years old are also allowed to participate. Unique history monuments, master classes, folk crafts are the features of this route.
Start of the route: Khmelnytskyi. Arboretum. Departure through Arkadiivtsi and Yaroslavka villages to Medzhybizh
Medzhybizh Castle (UAH 50 / person)
It is fortification architecture monument of XIV-XIX centuries. The castle is located on the cape at the confluence of the Boh and Bozhok rivers, from which is one of the oldest settlements in Podilia name – Mezhybozhe. Today this settlement is Medzhybizh town and the ancient rivers are called the Southern Buh and the Buzhok.
Jewish necropolis
Medzhybizh is a centre of Hasidism. Pilgrims from all over the world, especially from Israel and the United States, come here to the tomb of Israel Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Hasidic movement, which is one of the most influential movements in modern Judaism. The excursion program includes a visit to the font in Trebukhivtsi.
Columns-chapels
Two brick pillars of the 17th century have been preserved in Medzhybizh and Trebukhivtsi. They are often called Turkish, but their original purpose is unknown. There is a similar pedestal in Sataniv. Researchers believe that they were built by one master.
Fairytale yard of Ivan Mudryk
The man turned his estate into a real museum, he makes fabulous attractions from improvised materials. Fantastic animals, birds and bright flowers live around the house. There is a fairytale fountain in the plans.
Evening entertainment program: archery, kulish in a cauldron, an exclusive tour of the Syniavskyis’ palace dungeons.
Night lodging
Departure to Starokostiantyniv
Samchyky State Historical and Cultural Reserve
There is a unique architectural and park ensemble of the XVIII century wealthy colonel Petro Chechel in Samchyky village, located near Starokostiantyniv. Most people of Podillia know this place thanks to the magnificent estate, which is given the title of “Podillia Versailles”.
Yes or no, but at the end of the XVIII century Petro Chechel arranged a luxurious residence in Samchyky with a beautiful park, oriental decoration of rooms in the Empire style. The manor was once surrounded by a stone wall, and there are still 200-year-old page-boys, cheerful and sad lions in front of the entrance to “Versailles”. The first lion greets guests, inviting them to visit amazing house with oriental ornaments. The other lion sees off guests with a sad look, because it is time to say goodbye.
Samchyky painting master class
Samchyky is famous for the legendary Samchyky painting or, as it is called, – Samchykivka.
This decorative and applied art looks simple and very beautiful! Bright stylized flowers grow on plates and pots, on stoves, walls and fences of the locals, and even at the village bus stop. And if you really want, folk masters will be happy to hold a master class for guests, because there is the only secondary school in Samchyky, in which painting is a compulsory subject! You can order a master class, during which you will draw your own Samchyky pattern and this unique kind of art best masters will be your teachers.
Castle of the Ostrozkyis princes in Starokostiantyniv
The castle was built during 1561-1571 by Prince Vasyl Kostiantyn Ostrozkyi. The castle was well armed, so the Tatars were never able to take it. Later, the castle passed to the Sangushko princes, was used for economic purposes and for government agencies. The castle is included in the State Register of National Culture Heritage.
Defensive tower of the 16th century
In the town of Starokostiantyniv are the ruins of a church and a Dominican monastery. In fact, the ruins of the temple and the watchtower, built in the Gothic style with Baroque elements, remained from the complex of buildings. The tower is a thirty-meter dungeon, a sample of the 16th century architecture – often called the defensive tower of Starokostiantyniv town. The tower with the temple is an interesting example of sacred and defensive architecture.
Evening entertainment. Cossack supper from a cauldron, an exclusive program in Ostroh Castle.
Night lodging
Departure to Chornyi Ostriv
Palace of the Pshezdetskyis in Chornyi Ostriv
Mikhal Pshezdetskyi built a palace on the castle site of the Vyshnevetskyis princes in the second half of the XVIII century. In the White Hall there was a portrait of Countess Liza Pshezdetska by Franz Winterhalter, there were also portraits by Alphonse Muraton. In the next hall hung portraits of the Pshezdetskyis, the Olizars, and the Mostovskyis by Italian portrait painter Matteo Baccelli, who lived in Chornyi Ostriv in an English house with a terrace on the river bank.
Evening entertainment program in Chornyi Ostriv
Night lodging
Departure to Khmelnytskyi
Proskuriv bicycle quest. This is a bicycle quest around Khmelnytskyi, during which it will be possible to learn interesting history of the city in a playful way with the help of deciphering riddles and searching for hiding places.
Tasting of local cuisine. This is a tasting tour around the places that offer local Podillia cuisine.
