Ukraine (Volyn Oblast)

Nature:

In the Volyn Oblast there is the Shatsk National Park, Prypiat-Stokhid National Park, Tsumanska Pushcha National Park, Cheremski Zapovednik (large-area strict nature reserve) and numerous smaller nature reserves. Forests cover a third of the area of the Volyn Oblast.

Tourist routes:

The Shatsk National Park has two educational nature trails: ‘Forest song’ and ‘Svitezianka’, while in the Prypiat-Stokhid National Park there are three such trails called : ‘Old Park upon the Stokhid’, ‘Towards the Stokhid’ and ‘Forgotten paths of Polesie’ (ethnographic trail).

Historic sights:

Lutsk, the capital of the region, boasts the greatest number of historic sights. The Old Town in Lutsk and the Old Town in Vladimir Volynsky have the status of a national historic and cultural heritage site.

There are about 300 historic religious buildings in the Volyn Oblast. Old wooden temples are in almost every village. The most beautiful churches can be seen in Huszyn (from 16th c.), Ostrow, Krymo, Zablocie, Tur, Ratno, Wielka Hłusza, Ossa, and Turopin.

Renowned Orthodox monasteries include: St Nicholas Monastery in Mielce (1st half of the 16th c.), Monastery in Zimno (from 1001, one of the oldest in Ukraine) and St Nicholas Monastery in Zydyczyn (18th c.)

Traces of Jewish heritage are scarce as in the 20th c. most of the synagogues and cemeteries were destroyed. The only synagogues left are in Lutsk and Berestechko.

Many Catholic churches have also been destroyed.

The most interesting secular objects:

  • Noblemen’s palaces, e.g. the 19th-century palace complex in Zaturci
  • Castles and settlements, e.g. castle of the Radziwiłł Family in Olyka, Lubart’s castle in Lutsk, ruins of the castle in Kachin, remains of a fortified settlement and a fortress in Vladimir Volynsky, palaces and manor houses in Ustyluh, Holoby, Koniuchy, Osrozec and Berestechko.
  • Characteristic wooden architecture of Polesie villages

Culture:

  • Lutsk hosts most of the cultural events held in the Volyn Oblast.
  • The village of Svalovychi is well worth a visit. It looks as if time stopped there a long time ago and its inhabitants cultivate old traditions and crafts such as weaving, embroidery and wicker weaving.
  • The Museum of Volyn Agriculture located in the village of Rokyni offers a glimpse of bygone days. It has old village buildings as well as tools and appliances used in traditional agriculture and animal farming.
  • In the Volyn Oblast there are many cultural events, e.g. ‘Solomiana ptaha’ -Blacksmithing and Floristry Festival, ‘Theatre outside the theatre’ in Lutsk, Art Jazz Co-operation in Lutsk and Rivne.