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Travel routes that start from Lviv (there are 5 of them historically
stipulated) can be chosen by travelers in various combinations that
differ in duration, distance... All of them are united by the
outstanding landscapes and places you can observe when traveling. For
Western Ukraine has always been the cradle of cultural life in Ukraine.
Being under the rule of Polish or Austrian kings, this land has
benefited from it by adopting European traditions of architecture and
ways of life.
Hereby we will try to describe the most beautiful and worth visiting places that you may find when traveling around the region.
These five routes mentioned above can be combined in up to a dozen of 1 or 2 day trips by car according to your taste and wish.
To The East
Univ – Zolochiv – Ternopil – Mykulyntsi – Terebovlya – Skalat – Sataniv – Husyatyn
Best period: May - October
Total length - 350km
Overnight stay: Ternopil, Terebovlya, Husyatyn.
Univ (47km from Lviv). Assumption Church (XVI c.) – transition style between Gothic and Renaissance. Monastic cells (XVII-XIXcc.). Metropolitan house (XIX c.). Univ Monastery is famous for the spring with healing characteristics located on its territory.
Zolochiv (67km from Lviv). Zolochiv Castle was built in the XVII c. It performed functions of the residence and the defensive building and still consists of two buildings: residence and so-called Chinese Palace – one of three left in Europe samples of “Oriental” architecture. The most famous residents were: Jan III Sobieski (1629 - 1696), the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, and his wife Marie Casimire Louise, Queen of Poland. It was the first palace in Europe that had sewerage system that remained to be a dream for the palaces in Europe in the XVII c. During the WWII Soviet Union NKVD (People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs was the leading secret police organization of the Soviet Union) organized there an execution camp. What to see: St. Mykola Church (XI c.), Zolochiv Castle (XVI-XVII cc.), town central part with the houses in Modern Austrian style.
Ternopil (66km from Lviv). Centre of Ternopil Region. Worth seeing: Ternopil Castle (XVI c.), Church of the Exaltation of the Cross (XVI c.; known as “The Church over the pond”), Church of Nativity of Christ (XVII c.). If you wish you may visit Aquapark “Limpopo”- quite decent place with services of sauna, hydro-massage, jacuzzi, and of course curling and twisting slides or even tubes with striking visual and effects! Separate pool for children where they can safely enjoy numerous attractions. After intensive “water procedures” you may relax in cocktail-bar “Apelsyn” (“Orange”).
Mykulyntsi (86km from Lviv). It is known since the XI c. The Castle there has been built in the XVI c. According to the legends there are spirits hanging around for during the WW II Nazis left 13 killed Soviet soldiers in the basement. It is still fit to live in and at the moment there live the descendants of the servant of the Countess that used to live there in the XIX c. Roman Catholic Church (XVII c.) is one of the best examples of Baroque architectural style.
Terebovlya (103km from Lviv). It was known since Kyivska Rus times (X-XI cc.). The remains of the castle (XVII c.) are situated in the north-western part of the town. The walls are inclined at the angle of 100°. It still amazes visitors by its width and solidity. Roman Catholic Church and Cloister of Carmelites date back to the XVII c. and refer to Baroque and Renaissance style. In the suburbs there is Basilians Cloister (XVI-XVII cc.) where in Soviet times there were barracks.
Skalat (126km from Lviv). The Skalat Castle was built in the XVII c. Now only four towers remain standing. People say that beneath them there are underground routes to the neighbouring castles in Hrymayliv, Zbarazh and Terebovlya. The former synagogue is a two-storeyed building of “T” form (in Soviet times it was a power station).
Sataniv (162km from Lviv). It used to be the most prosperous town in that region. The castle there was very strong but only some part of the wall has survived since those times. Since 1895 there is a sugar mill nearby. An old synagogue (XVI c.) and an old Jewish cemetery can be observed.
Husyatyn (192km from Lviv). The castle, Onufrievska Church and Synagogue shaped the defensive shape of the town. The castle has been ruined during the wars. Onufrievska Church (XVI c.) and Synagogue (XVI c.) are still there. The latter is now the museum of regional ethnography, though its peculiar architecture has been preserved.
Coming back to Ternopil and staying there for a night, so that in the morning you can come back to Lviv.
To The Northeast
Busk – Olesko – Pidhirtsi – Brody –Pochayiv – Zbarazh – Vyshnevets – Kremenets – Dubno
Best period: April - October
Total length - 393km
Overnight stay: Brody, Pochayiv, Kremenets.
Variant I
Busk (50km from Lviv). Onufriyevska Church and Bell Tower are samples of wood architecture (XVII c.). Paraskevy Church (XVIII c.) is also wooden and this type of architecture is peculiar for Western Ukraine history of arts.
Olesko (68km from Lviv). Olesko Castle is known since the XIV c. The most famous resident: Polish King Jan III Sobieski (1629 - 1696). There is a well-known restaurant „Hrydnytsya” that is very popular among Ukrainians and tourists for its medieval architecture and national Ukrainian cuisine. The Church and Monastery of Capuchins was built in the XVIII c. During the WW II it was used as a hospital by Soviet Army or as a concentration camp and ghetto by the Nazis. Holy Trinity Cathedral (XVI c.) is situated on the way to the castle and is a mixture of different styles.
Pidhirtsi (73km from Lviv). The castle in Pidhirtsi (XVII c.) is a unique combination of a palace and a bastion building - one of the most magnificent and beautiful in Ukraine. For many years it is being under restoration for it was seriously destroyed after the WW II, moreover in Soviet times there was a tuberculosis hospital there. The park in front of the entrance is a sample of so-called “Italian” parks that is one of the last left on the territory of Ukraine. When you walk through the park near the palace, you get to the majestic St. Joseph Roman-Catholic Church (XVIII c.).
Variant II
Brody (91km from Lviv). In the XVII c. it was re-planned as the town with parallel and perpendicular streets to make it perfect for defensive purposes. Its castle (XVII c.) has been used as barracks in Soviet times. Now every building that may have some historical value is desolated (the castle, a synagogue (XVIII c.) Still it is not totally deprived from its charm.
Pidkamin (129km from Lviv). Pidkamin can be translated as “beneath the stone” and there is really a stone that is 17m high and 10m in diameter, around which there are stone crosses of the XVII c. Approximately 6 mln years ago there was a sea on this territory. Now beautiful mountain range Tovtry there is treated as one of the biggest reefs in the sea mentioned above. Also worth seeing: St. Paraskeva Church (XVIII c.), small old chapel and cemetery nearby.
Pochayiv (154km from Lviv). Pochayivvska Lavra of the Assumption of the Theotokos (founded in the XVI c.) is well-known as one of four existing Orthodox lavras in the world (another one in Ukraine – Kyevo-Pecherska in Kyiv). According to the legend The Virgin Mary (Theotokos in Orthodox tradition) appeared in presence of the monks and there might be Her imprint left on the rock where She stepped. Nowadays a spring with curative, medicinal properties of the water, Lavra church complex and miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary are the main sacred objects for thousands of pilgrims that visit Pochayivska Lavra.
Zbarazh (224km from Lviv). There was mostly Jewish population that was murdered during the Holocaust. The Savior Church, Bernardine Monastery and a castle (all from the XVII c.) are the main attractions for the tourists.
Vyshnevets (247km from Lviv). The palace was built in the XVIII c. That is the place where worldwide known French writer Honoré de Balzac met his future wife. It was visited by Russian tsar Peter the Great. During the WW I and the WW II it was almost destroyed and in Soviet Union there was a technical school, a library and a factory located in the palace.
Kremenets. It was mentioned in the XII c. Now it is a small town and all the historic buildings are situated along the main street. Worth seeing: Parochial Roman-catholic Church and Mykola Church with Baroque style bell tower (XVI c.), college (“colegium” – private secondary or high educational establishments in XVI-XVIII cc.), Theophany Nunnery (XVII c.) and a castle on the hill (XIII c.).
Dubno. First it was mentioned in the XII c. The wall around the castle in Dubno has got a tower named Beatka. According to a legend in the XVI c. there was a wedding in the castle. The name of the bride was Beatka. Just before the ceremony there was an announcement that Tatars were to attack the castle. Beatka went to the tower and blew up the tent of the Khan by the gun volley. Tatars decided that was some sign from the skies and raised the siege. Since those times that tower is called Beatka and nowadays newly married couples come here on the date of their marriage.
Rivne (232km from Lviv). The palace of Lyubomyrsky was built in the XVI c. on the island in the middle of the river that flows through the city and due to various factors disappeared in the first half of the XX c. The city itself underwent numerous occupations and was under the rule of various countries. During the WW II it was the capital of the Nazis Reichscommissariat “Ukrayina” and during this period more than 100 thousand people were killed. Worth seeing: wooden Assumption Church (XVIII c.), Resurrection Cathedral (XIX c.).
To The Southeast
Svirzh – Pomoryany – Berezhany – Zarvanytsya – Buchach – Yazlivets – Zolotyy Potik – Koropets – Chortkiv – Chervonogorod – Skala Podilska
Best period: May - October
Total length - 350km
Overnight stay: Berezhany, Buchach, Chortkiv.
Variant 1
Svirzh. It was first mentioned in the XV c. The castle (the main attraction of this place) is known in its present appearance since the XVIII c. Worth seeing also Roman Catholic Church (XVI c.)
Peremyshlyany. On its territory an ancient settlement of the Skifs (V – IV c. B.C.) was found. As a big town it was first mentioned in the XV c. Famous for its Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church (XVII c.).
Pomoryany. The castle is in a very bad condition: since its construction in the XVII c. it has suffered a lot. During the WWI it was burnt, during the WWII two Nazi officers lived there. In Soviet times a district committee of Communist Party was located here. In the 80s – college. Since those times it is totally abandoned. Also worth seeing: City Hall Tower (XIX c.), Roman-Catholic Church (XVIII c.)
Berezhany. The fortress with a castle in Berezhany was built on the island in the middle of the river in the XVI c. Now there are walls (2-5m width) and several towers left that still impress with their magnificent size. Numerous sacral buildings performed also defensive functions: Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church (XVII c.); Armenian Church (XVIII c.; once used as gym); Bernardine’s Monastery (XVII c.) is now situated on the territory of a borstal (prison for minors), though on Sundays believers are allowed to attend masses; wooden St. Mykola Church (XVII c.) is perhaps one of rare buildings that remained unchanged since its construction.
Variant 2
Zarvanytsya. This is one of the most important places of pilgrimage among Catholics due to the miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary and a spring with curative, medicinal properties of the water.
Koropets. The town itself is known since the XV c. but its main attraction is the Badeni Palace (XVIII c.) which is in a rather good condition nowadays. It is built in Baroque architecture style and surrounded by an amazing park.
When going to the next town – Buchach – you may use a better road to get there that leads to Monastyryska. In this town there is an old Roman Catholic Church which sanctuary was made by a prominent sculptor Ioan Pinzel (XVIII c.), main works of whom you may observe in Buchach.
Buchach. First mentioned in the XVI c. There are some facts that Sigmund Freud was born here. Worth seeing: ruins of the castle (XVI c.), St. Mykola Church (XVII c.), City Hall Tower (XVIII c.), centre of the town.
Yazlivets. It is situated to the south from Buchach. First mentioned in the XV c. In the XVI c. it was as great as Lviv but due to Tatars invasions it soon lost its strength. Worth seeing: ruins of the castle and the palace (XVI c.), Armenian St. Mykola Church (XVI c.), Assumption of Virgin Mary Church.
Zolotyy Potik (15km south from Yazlivets). The castle there is known since the XVI c. Also worth seeing: the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Church (XVII c.).
Chortkiv. Wooden churches are typical in architecture of Western Ukraine. There are very few of them left that is why they are worth visiting: Assumption Church of the Virgin Mary(XVII c.) and The Holy Thursday Church (XVIII c.). Also worth seeing the central part of the town, Neo-Gothic style Roman and Catholic churches.
Kolyndyany (optional; 11km from Chortkiv, on the way to Skala Podilska). Ancient Kyivan Rus settlements are found there. The castle complex (XIX c.) is also worth seeing.
Chervonohorod. Officially there is no such a town any more, though several centuries before it was rather big. There are ruins of the castle and the great oalace left. Moreover there is a magnificent waterfall nearby (16m high) made artificially.
Monastyrok (optional). Old Slavic cave church is preserved there. Historians say it was founded in the IX c. There is Basylian Monastery nearby (XVI c.)
Skala-Podilska. The castle there was the pearl of this town but in the XVIII c. it was burnt and never restored. Still you may observe its ruins and defensive walls around it, gunpowder tower nearby, defensive Roman and Catholic Church and 2 Synagogues in the town.
To The North
Kulykiv – Zhovkva– Chervonohrad – Sokal – Belz – Uhniv
Best period: April - October
Total length - 230km
Overnight stay: Sokal, Belz.
Kulykiv (10km from Lviv). The former castle banks are now used as stands. Worth seeing: Roman-Catholic St. Mykola Castle of the XV c.
Zhovkva (32km from Lviv). The castle there was built in the XVI c. and now is in rather good condition. For four months in the XVIII c. this castle was used as a residence of the Russian Tsar Peter the Great. In Soviet times servicemen and their families were lodged there. Also worth seeing the necropolis of magnate families Sobieski and Zholkiewski; parochial St. Lawrence Church (XVII c.; Renaissance style); Dominican Monastery (XVII-XVIII c.; built after the model of some Neapolitan church); City Hall Tower; Synagogue (XVIII c.) is unique for its architectural style but is in bad state for local market is situated nearby.
Krekhiv (50km from Lviv). It is famous for its Basilian monastery
of St. Mykola. It is known since the XV c. but its modern appearance appeared in the XVIII c. It was also used as a defensive building against the Tatars. Nowadays it is visited by thousands of pilgrims that go around the monastery along the imitation of the road of sorrows. Near the monastery there is also a spring with healing properties of water.
Chervonohrad. Although it is more known as the only town in Western Ukraine where coal is mined, it is also the homeland for several Roman-Catholic churches and monasteries of previous centuries: St. Yura Church and basilian Monastery cells (XVII c.); the Holy Spirit Church (XVIII c.) and of course a palace (of the Pototsky family, XVII c.).
Sokal. First mentioned in the XIV c. It suffered very much from the Tatars invasions. In the XVIII c. it was under the Austrian rule and slowly was turning into a little resort. Nowadays worth seeing are: St. Mykola Church and Synagogue (XVI c.), St. Mykhaylo church (XVIII c.), Bernardine Monastery Ensemble (XVII c.) of the Baroque style.
Belz. It was first mentioned in the XI c. Nowadays it looks rather abandoned though it has been given the status of the town of historical and cultural value in 2001. Therefore worth seeing are the banks of Kyivan Rus times, wooden church of the XVII c.
Uhniv. Nowadays it is known as the smallest town in Ukraine. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (XVII c.), Basilian Church (XIX c.) are the main attractions of the town.
To The South
Stare Selo – Zvenyhorod – Rohatyn – Halych – Krylos – Ivano-Frankivsk – Tysmenytsya – Kolomyya – Chernivtsi
Best period: all year round
Total length – 410km
Overnight stay: Halych, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kolomyya
Stare Selo (35km from Lviv). The castle there (XVII c.), though abandoned, still remain to be one of the best samples of the Renaissance style architecture. Also worth seeing: John the Baptist Church (wooden; XVIII c.).
Zvenyhorod (40km from Lviv). It used to be one of the biggest and the most powerful towns during the Kyivan Rus times. Therefore nowadays a lot of archaeological excavations are performed here and numerous findings help to study the ways of lives of those times. Among them the most important are: the site of ancient settlement, the basement of the church of the XIII c. and the road of the XII c. that was discovered recently.
Rohatyn (74km from Lviv). One of the most famous Ukrainian women – Roksolana who (a wife of Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent) – is said to be born here. There is a monument and museum dedicated to her.
Halych (111km from Lviv). It used to be one of the largest cities in the world in the Middle Ages. Its territory comprised a square of 8.5km and 11km. Nowadays there are tall banks survived from those times (25m high) stretching along its perimeter. Some historical findings of the ancient city are found where there are other towns now. Among them there is Krylos.
Krylos. Samples of Trypillian culture (3500 years BC) articles of daily life have been found on its territory. As it has been mentioned above it also was a part of the medieval Kyivan Rus capital Halych. Since those times there is a burial mound (X c.), several churches and Metropolian Chambers of the later period (XVIII c.)
Ivano-Frankivsks (135km from Lviv). It is sometimes called “Little Lviv” for it resembles its architectural styles though on a smaller scale. Worth seeing: former parochial Roman and Catholic Church, XVII-XVIII c.(now there is an Art Museum there), Armenian Church (XVIII c.), Holy Resurrection Cathedral (XVIII c.), former City Hall tower (XVII c.), centre of the city.
Tysmenytsya (146km from Lviv). It has always been and is well-known for its fur dressers. Worth seeing: Nativity of the Virgin Mary Church (XVIII c.), bell tower of the XVIII c., Holy Trinity Church (XIX c.).
Kolomyya (224km from Lviv). First mentioned in the XIII c. Wide-known mainly through its Hutsul culture traditions and Museum of Pysanka (ornament painted eggs; typical for East Slavonic cultures Easter celebration; in origin it is a pagan tradition), Hutsul Ethnographic Museum.
Chernivtsi (332km from Lviv). In the XVIII-XIX cc. it was the capital of a region in Austria-Hungarian Empire. Therefore it has preserved its majestic architectural style and turbulent history. Worth seeing: The Fountain Square, the ship like house, Exaltation of the Cross Church with a sundial on its tower, music fountain. On Manor Street there is an Armenian Church that has never operated for the priest committed a suicide there soon after it was built. The complex of Chernivtsi National University is also an example of wonderful architectural style (former Metropolitan Chambers).
Coming back to Lviv.
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