Five historic сastles to visit in Ukraine

Abounding in stunning landscapes and architectural treasures, Ukraine has always been a land of awe and beauty. Its ancient castles represent a separate chapter in a book of Ukrainian wonders, places where the sands of time are stilled. History was born there, and it lives on -- pure and timeless. Scattered across the country, such places can make reality blur, erasing the hazy lines between eras. Recalling the turbulent times of principalities, kingdoms and empires that no longer exist, these castles are filled with magic and mystery. But they have a dark side too, where spirits and superstitions may yet linger.

Chynadiyovo Castle

The Saint Miklós (Saint Nicholas) Castle in Chynadiyovo, Mukachevo raion, Zakarpattia Oblast, has a lasting legacy -- its palisades dared to challenge fate and survived against all odds. Lost among the majesty of the Zakarpattia mountains, it is in one of the most mesmerizing corners of Ukraine.

Chynadiyove Castle. Photo: go-to.rest

St Miklos Castle. Photo: guide.karpaty.ua

Interior of Chynafoyovo Castle. Photo: guide.karpaty.ua

St Miklos Castle interiors. Photo: we.org.ua

Medieval Festival in St Miklos Castle. Photo: zakarpattya.net.ua

Yet, for decades the castle stood in disrepair. The Soviets used it for industrial storage and landfill. It had reached a critical condition when its savior came along. Jossyp Bartosz, a painter and musician, discovered Saint Miklos Castle and decided to lease it and bring back its glory.

“This castle chose me. It just said: ‘Here! Come here!’ and I came,” Bartosz exclaims in his interview for culture magazine Ukrainer.

Having lived abroad for years, Bartosz returned to Ukraine in 1999. During his travels, he found himself inspired by the restored castles of neighboring Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary. He decided to organize open-air exhibitions, such as he had experienced abroad, in the Chynadiyovo Castle. No one believed in his idea -- some even called it madness. However, Bartosz prevailed. He ignored the mockery of local residents and was relentless in procuring the necessary financing. Finally, he won the fight and began the monumental task of clearing out debris and launching the restoration project.

The history of Chynadiyovo goes back to the 14th century when it was built by order of Baron Perényi. It was strategically positioned in the Veretsky Pass — a mountain pass that led directly to Halychyna and was used by Hungarian kings to attack surrounding regions. Since then, Chynadiyovo has had many owners and seen many colorful episodes. One such is the desperate love story of two Hungarian rebels, Ilona Zrínyi and Imre Thököly, who fought together against the absolute power of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the 17th century. Their brutal demise seems to reverberate in the castle corridors to this day. However, things have changed and Chynadiyovo Castle is bustling with activity. Open-air gatherings, festivals, exhibitions, concerts, and theatre performances can all be attended throughout the year. The castle is even available for weddings and special ceremonies, many of which draw upon the traditions of the medieval royal courts.

Lubart’s Castle

Lubart’s Castle, also known as High Castle and Lutsk Castle, is one of the biggest and oldest fortifications in Ukraine, and it has been preserved close to its original form. Built in the 14th century in the city of Lutsk by Lithuanian Prince Vitovt Lubart, it served as a residence and fortress.

Lutsk Castle. Source: Ukrinform

Entrance tower of Lutsk Castle. Photo: travelforfun.org

Lubart’s Castle is depicted on 200 UAH banknote. Photo: trushenk.com

Aerial view of Lubart Castle.

Reconstructed view of Lutsk Castle in XVIth c. Source: Tronevych P. Lutsk Castle in Ukrainian History. – Lutsk, 2007

Early XX c. postcard showing parts of the wall missing.

Panorama of Lutsk Castle’s courtyard. Photo: Oleksandr Kotys/Wikimedia Commons

Styr Tower of Lutsk Castle. Photo: travelforfun.org

Lutsk Castle in 1900 and 2008. Collage: Oleksandr Kotys/Wikimedia Commons

Lutsk Castle in 1930 and 2008. Collage: Oleksandr Kotys/Wikimedia Commons

Iconic entrance tower of Lutsk Castle. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Now, tourists can climb the steep staircase of the castle's entry tower and enjoy the view of the city. Old Lutsk, including monuments of the state historical and cultural reserve, are also visible.

lutsk old town — View from Lutsk Castle’s entry tower to the old town. Screenshot: Youtube/Oleksandr Kuzmych

IMG_6002-768×512 — Bell museum in the castle. Photo: travelforfun.org

IMG_5987-768×512 — Castle’s armory. Photo: travelforfun.org

Print press in one of the castle’s museums. Photo: travelforfun.org

IMG_5983-768×512 — Courtyard. Photo: travelforfun.org

IMG_6009-768×512 — Reconstructed prison cell. Photo: travelforfun.org

IMG_5986-768×512 — Medieval military machinery on display. Photo: travelforfun.org

953942_2177641 — Underground passages in Lutsk Castle. Photo: legend.24tv.ua

Old brick castle wall and bright blue sky with fluffy clouds.Lutsk High Castle, also known as Lubart Castle towering over the Styr River — Old brick castle wall of Lubart Castle towering over the Styr River. Photo: legend.24tv.ua

КнигаЛат — Book museum in the castle. Oleksandr Kotys/Wikimedia Commons.

In the summer, Lubart's Castle hosts a number of events ranging from medieval tournaments to modern music concerts and food festivals.

wcarousel_ArticleImages_1819_11196266_1591537207764477_7815374101790185815_n — Street Food Festival in Lutsk Castle. Photo: visitlutsk.com

B3_13881_Luzk.Lubart-Fest1 — Lubart’s Fest. Photo: geo.viaregia.org

post_image_1567412350100 — 2019 Festival “Medieval Luchesk”. Photo: Volynski Novyny

039A01C9-3F41-4A5C-A116-346BD8B37A63_w1023_s — Festival “Night in Lutsk Castle” in 2012. Photo: RFE/RL

Трійка-кращих — Festival “Medieval Luchesk” in 2018. Photo: ukraineart.org

1535372748-4178-vidkritta-u-luckomu-zamku — Festival “Polissia Summer with folklore” in 2018. Photo: Ukrnform

14138181_1745747285680522_1479160689901138060_o — Festival “Art Jazz 2019” in Lutsk Castle. Photo: hromadske.volyn.ua

wcarousel_ArticleImages_1819_11041534_1592177191033812_5234628845968505466_n — Street Food Festival in Lutsk Castle. Photo: visitlutsk.com

nich_u_zamku_8_ — Festival “Night in Lutsk Castle” in 2017. Photo: zik.ua

nich_u_luckomu_zamku_1_ — Festival “Night in Lutsk Castle” in 2017. Photo: zik.ua

original-1431014440 — Street Food Festival in Lubart’s Castle. Lutsk, 2015. Photo: vidomosti-ua.com

Pidhirtsi Castle

Built in the middle of the 17th century, Pidhirtsi Castle is a precious pearl of the Lviv region. This architectural monument is a true example of a Renaissance palace, with its spectacular bastions. The three-story castle boasts grounds encompassing a luxurious park, a courtyard and an ornate cathedral -- all of which were added during the 18th century and reflect the Baroque style.

Pidhirtsi Castle. Photo: tvoemisto.tv

Courtyard of Pidhirtsi Castle. Screenshot: Youtube/24 Канал

Bastions of Pidhirtsi Castle. Photo: svoboda-news.com

Bastion of Pidhirtsi Castle. Photo: svoboda-news.com

Pidhirtsi Castle. Photo: Lestat (Jan Mehlich)/Wikimedia Commons

Courtyard of Pidhirtsi Castle. Photo: Sasha24/Wikimedia Commons

Pidhirtsi Castle. Photo: Zysko Serhii/Wikimedia Commons

Pidhirtsi Castle. Photo: igotoworld.com

Pidhirtsi Castle. Photo: zik.ua

Pidhirtsi Castle. Photo: itinery.com.ua

Pidhirtsi Castle. Photo: 3varta.com.ua

The castle was a wondrous combination of elegance and fortification, with refined terraces contrasted by imposing ramparts. In its day, it was considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. Although it was well fortified by massive bulwarks and a deep moat, enemies still dared to launch attacks.

Yet, each time it was rebuilt throughout the centuries, the palace assumed greater beauty and its defenses became even more impenetrable. The park of the castle complex is truly a masterpiece of architectural landscaping, and is the only Ukrainian park created in the Baroque Italian style. Very likely, the park was meant to impress guests even more than the palace.

Palanok Castle

The history of this castle is also connected to Hungarian countess Ilona Zrínyi, the implacable fighter against the Austro-Hungarian imperialist regime. In Hungary, she is considered a national hero. Her forces held the castle, while under fierce siege, for three long years. Her defenses were aided by the castle’s strategic location and construction.

Palanok Castle in Mukachevo. Photo: myukraine.org.ua

Palanok Castle. Photo: travels-ukraine.com

Palanok Castle. Photo: igotoworld.com

Palanok Castle. Photo: prykarpattyatour.com

Entrance to Palanok Castle, Mukacheve. Photo: pizzatravel.com.ua

Aerial view of Palanok Castle. Photo: tsikaviy-svit.com

Palanok Castle was built on top of an extinct volcano with an astounding height of 68 meters. It was built with three terraces -- the upper, middle and lower locks -- serving to provide even more protection. Today, its very walls seem to echo gloomy legends, steeped in mysterious tales and untold secrets.

Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle

In the Middle Ages, Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle was considered an impregnable fortress. According to legend, in 1621 the army of the Turkish Osman Sultan was constantly repelled by the strength of its walls and towers. Mystified, he exclaimed, "Who created this stone miracle?" The answer came from his solders, "It was Allah." The sultan is said to have retorted, "So let Allah conquer it," and gave the order to retreat.

Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Rear View of Kamianets-Podilskyi fortress. Photo: ukrainer.net

Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle. Photo: matrix-info.com

Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle. Photo: ukrainer.net

Kamianets Castle. Photo: tsn.ua

Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle. ua-travel.info

Since that era, the castle has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. Today, Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle is a museum of history, and is included in the list of the “Seven Wonders of Ukraine.”

Read also: The seven wonders of Ukraine

Music video by B&B featuring the cover of the Game of Thrones theme, filmed in Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle.

The ancient city of Kamianets-Podilskyi, for which this castle was named, has remained suspended in the 13th century. It celebrates its medieval legacy every year with themed festivals that attract tourists from near and far. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1RV19yjJeE The terrain of the Kamianets-Podilskyi Сastle is divided into two segments. The first is the Old Castle, which is the main attraction of the city, and the second is the New Castle, with its impressive bastions of fortification. The castle is widely renowned as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Since independence, Ukrainian castles have started gaining more interest. A challenge is to continue efforts to reclaim their former glory through restoration and reconstruction, as neighboring nations have done. Such endeavors are well worth the investment, to attract the international community to these incredible monuments of antiquity.

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