Top 5 Ukrainian Castles
Ukraine is a sovereign state in Eastern Europe that was once a key center of East Slavic culture within the federation of ‘Kievan Rus’ – forming some of the basis of Ukrainian identity.
From the 13th century, the territory was widely contested and fought over between Lithuania, Poland, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Russia.
A Cossack republic emerged and prospered during the 17th and 18th centuries, but its territory was eventually split between Poland and the Russian Empire, merging with the Soviet Union until its eventual collapse.
This variety of cultures is presented in the rich architectural history and diversity of castles across Ukraine today.
5 – Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle
Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle is a large fortress located in the city of Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine. The castle was constructed around the 14th century to defend a bridge crossing between the city and mainland.
Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle was subject to multiple sieges and invasion over the centuries, this is evident in the multi-cultural architecture and influence on the buildings that stand within the castle today.
4 – Chervonohorod Castle
Chervonohorod Castle was the seat of the Danilowicz magnate family, located in the ruins of Chervonhorod in the Ternopil Oblast area of Ukraine. The name Chervonohorod or Chervone literally means “red town” and was the regions chartered administrative center since 1434.
The present castle was built in the early 17th century, but by 1820 saw a phase of demolition and renovation by the Poninky family who turned Chervonohord into an opulent palace.
3 – Khotyn Fortress
Khotyn Fortress is located on the banks of the Dniester River in the city of Khotyn in western Ukraine. The present fortress was constructed in 1325 by Prince Danylo of Halych and his son Lev, but a castle has stood on the site since the 10th century.
From 1340 to present day, the Khotyn Fortress has been vastly expanded due to invasions by the Maldivians, the Turks, Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Zaporozhian Cossacks, Russian, Romania and the Axis forces of World War 2.
2 – Svirzh Castle
1 – Lutsk Castle
Lutsk Castle, also known as Lubart’s Castle is a 14th-century fortress located in Lutsk, Ukraine. The castle is famed for repelled sieges by numerous potentates, including Casimir the Great (1349), Jogaila (1431), and Sigismund Kęstutaitis (1436).
It was there that the Lutsk Conference of 1429 took place, attended by Emperor Sigismund, Vasily II of Moscow, Jogaila, Vytautas the Great, and the voivode of Wallachia.