“Golden Horseshoe” of Ukraine

To travel back in time, you don't have to invent a time machine. It is enough to take a tour of the so-called “golden horseshoe” of Ukraine and visit the most famous castles. Walking through their halls, it will be easy to imagine noble knights and ladies – conquerors of their hearts, as well as the majestic rulers who lived in those distant times. located in the Lviv region comes from the depths of centuries. The stones of the walls, dotted with scars from battles, can tell a lot about their titled owners. To see all this greatness, it is enough for everyone to just get acquainted with this side of Ukraine.

Olesko castle

First of all, you can visit the impregnable Olesko castle. Over the centuries, many trials have fallen to its lot. On its walls, it experienced fires, earthquakes, wars and even the tyranny of its masters. And what is most surprising, after all the troubles and destruction, the castle has survived better than other similar buildings, although it itself was erected in the 13th century.

Those who decide to visit the castle will be able to plunge into children‘s ideas about the Middle Ages and medieval castles. There is everything here: turrets, spiers, impregnable walls, cool halls, and the castle itself stands on a high mountain.

For a long time, the premises of the castle were not used, but now there is the Lviv Art Gallery. So, everyone will be able to admire the beautiful paintings of Ukrainian painters at the same time.

Podgoretsky castle

The second stage of the excursion can be a visit to the Ukrainian Versailles, located in Pidhirtsi. The castle was built in 1635 by Hetman Stanislav Konetspolsky. By his order, the most beautiful palace in Europe at that time was erected, in which the most beautiful park in the world was also laid out. At that time, Versailles did not yet exist, so the castle in Pidhirtsi became one of the most popular. Peter the Great himself, who was struck by the beauty and luxury of the buildings, immediately ordered to recreate such a miracle. Few people know that Petrodvorets, which is located near St. Petersburg, is the younger brother of the Podgoretsky castle.

Visitors will be able to walk through the park in Pidgortsy, see the entrance gates made in the Baroque style, as well as visit the Church of St. Joseph and the Church of the Exaltation.

Zolochaevsky castle

Another point of our route is the Zolochaevsky Castle. Despite its ascetic appearance, this castle is a real miracle of architectural and engineering thought of that time. For the first time during the construction, it was here that sewerage and toilets were installed.

Initially, the palace was a defensive fortress, then it was destined to become a prison, a manor house, a royal residence and even an educational institution. Now the Zolochaevsky castle is a historical reserve of Ukraine.

Built in the Renaissance style. The main decoration of the complex is considered to be the Chinese Palace, surrounded by an oriental garden. It was built at the request of Maria – Casimira de Arcuyon, the wife of Jan Sobieski. There are only three palaces like Chinese in Europe. Now in the Chinese Palace you can see beautiful restored halls, more than 250 works of art and visit the Museum of Oriental Cultures.