Golden Horseshoe of Lviv Region: A Journey Through History and Architecture

Immerse yourself in fascinating stories about the life of the Ukrainian nobility, about wars and peaceful times, about the prosperity and decline of these magnificent castles.

Admire the elegant facades, majestic towers, picturesque parks and unique interiors that have survived to this day.

Traveling along the "Golden Horseshoe" route, you will be amazed by the picturesque landscapes of the Lviv region - hills, fields, forests and picturesque villages.

Visit cozy cafes and restaurants, taste local dishes and experience the hospitality of the Ukrainian people.

Olesky Castle, located in the picturesque village of Olesko in Lviv Region, is one of the oldest and most famous castles in Ukraine. Built in the 14th century, it was the residence of Ukrainian princes, Polish nobles and kings for centuries. It was here in 1629 that Jan III Sobieski, the future king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the victor of the Turks near Vienna, was born.

History: The castle was built in the 14th century, probably by order of one of the sons of the Galicia-Volyn prince Yury Lvovych. During its history, it changed hands several times, it was owned by Lithuanian princes, Polish kings, and noble families. Since 1755, the castle was owned by the Potocki family, who turned it into a luxurious residence.

Architecture: The castle is an example of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. It consists of three buildings surrounded by powerful walls with towers. Valuable frescoes, wood carvings, tiles and other art objects have been preserved in the interiors of the castle.

Museum: Today, the Oleskyi Castle is a museum-reserve, where you can see rich collections of paintings, sculptures, weapons, furniture, carpets and other items from the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

Interesting Facts:

- Olesky Castle is one of the most popular tourist spots in Lviv Oblast.

- Numerous films and TV series were shot here, such as "Fire and Sword", "Queen of Bona", "Zaporozhskaya Sich".

- There is a legend in the castle about underground passages that lead to the nearby village of Pidhirtsi.

How to get there:

- Olesky Castle can be reached by bus or shuttle taxi from the city of Lviv.

- The distance from Lviv is about 70 km.

- The castle is open to visitors every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

- Olesky Castle is a real pearl of the Lviv Region, which impresses with its grandeur, beauty and rich history. By visiting this castle, you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of past centuries and feel like a part of history.

Pidhoretskyi Castle, located in the picturesque village of Pidhirtsi in the Lviv region, impresses the imagination with its majestic forms and magnificent decor. Built in the 17th century according to the project of the Italian architect Andrea del Acqua, it is often called the "Ukrainian Versailles" due to its similarity to the famous French palace.

The castle was built in the 1630s by order of the Polish magnate Stanislaw Koniecpolski. It was to serve not only as a residential residence, but also as a powerful fortress. During its history, the castle changed hands several times, it was owned by the noble families of Potocki, Sobieski, and Sangushki.

The architecture of the castle is an example of late Renaissance and early Baroque. It consists of a two-story palace with three towers and four towers. The facades of the castle are decorated with magnificent sculptures, atlantes, caryatids, coats of arms and other decorative elements.

The interior of the castle was no less luxurious than its exterior. Halls with carved panels, tiled stoves, frescoes and paintings have been preserved here. Unfortunately, many valuable interior items were lost during wars and fires.

Today, Pidhoretsky Castle is a museum-reserve, where you can see the remnants of former luxury, as well as collections of paintings, sculptures, weapons, furniture and other items from the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

Interesting Facts:

- Pidhoretsky Castle is one of the most famous architectural monuments of Ukraine.

- Numerous films and TV series were shot here, such as "Fire and Sword", "Old Tales", "Forest Song".

- The castle is associated with a legend about a white lady who allegedly appears here at night.

How to get there:

- You can get to Pidhoretskyi Castle by bus or shuttle taxi from the city of Lviv.

- The distance from Lviv is about 100 km.

- The castle is open to visitors every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Pidhoretsky Castle is a real pearl of the Lviv Region, which impresses with its grandeur, beauty and rich history. After visiting this castle, you will be able to feel yourself a part of the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

Zolochiv Castle, located in the picturesque town of Zolochiv in the Lviv region, is one of the most famous and most visited castles in Ukraine. Built in the 17th century by order of Hetman Stanisław Sobieski, it combines the features of a defensive fortress and a luxurious residence.

The castle was built in 1634-1655 as a defensive fortress on the site of an old wooden castle. He was supposed to protect the southern borders of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from Tatar raids. In 1686, the castle was the residence of the Polish king Jan III Sobieski. After his death, the castle passed to other owners, and later fell into disrepair. Since 1985, the castle has been a museum reserve.

Architecture: The castle is an example of the neo-Dutch type of defensive structures. It consists of a quadrangular palace with four bastions, surrounded by walls and a moat. In the 17th century, the Chinese Palace was built on the territory of the castle - a unique monument in the style of oriental architecture.

Museum: Today, Zolochiv Castle houses a museum-reserve, where you can see collections of paintings, sculptures, weapons, furniture, carpets and other objects of the XVII-XVIII centuries. The castle also has an art gallery, where the works of Ukrainian and Western European artists are presented.

Interesting Facts:

- Zolochiv Castle is one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine.

- Numerous films and TV series were shot here, such as "Fire and Sword", "Old Tales", "Roksolana".

- There is a legend in the castle about underground passages that lead to the nearby town of Olesko.

How to get there:

- Zolochiv Castle can be reached by bus or taxi from the city of Lviv.

- The distance from Lviv is about 70 km.

- The castle is open to visitors every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Zolochiv Castle is a real pearl of the Lviv region, which impresses with its grandeur, beauty and rich history. After visiting this castle, you will be able to feel yourself a part of the era of the XVII-XVIII centuries.