Ukraine may never have been on your radar as a vacation destination, but if you love castles, this country has dozens of them. Renovated or in ruins, these photogenic fortresses will capture your imagination. Like the country itself, many of the palaces and keeps were traded back and forth over centuries. They all have bloodstained histories. There are a few that you cannot enter because the ruins are unstable and dangerous. One beautiful castle is now a psychiatric hospital and visitors are only allowed to see a small part. Most of the castles, though, are open to the public.
The majority are in the western part of Ukraine, close to the borders of Poland and Belarus, Hungary and Romania, and Moldova. This is where most of the invasions occurred over the centuries, so this is where they needed the fortresses.
1. Svirzh Castle
- Built-in the 15th century by the Svirsky family as a fortress, it was basically a square with a courtyard in the center.
- A church, built-in 1546, is connected to the castle by an underground passage.
- It was overrun several times. The castle was burnt in 1648.
- Renovated at the end of the 17th century, it was modernized in 1904.
- Cossacks burnt it again in 1914.
A beautiful ruin, this castle, even destroyed, is worth seeing.
2. Medzhybizh Castle
- About 120 miles southwest of Kyiv and north of Moldova, this fortress was built to protect against invasions by the Ottomans.
- It is situated at the confluence of two major rivers, controlling commerce.
- The keep has changed hands from Ukrainian to Polish and back and spent some time under the ownership of the Ottoman Empire.
- Renovations have been ongoing since 1968. A museum and a church are located within the walls.
Another ruin that should be on your list to see.
3. Palanok Castle
- There is evidence that a fortress existed on the top of the 220-foot high hill in the farthest west part of Ukraine since the Bronze Age.
- Construction on the present castle was probably started in the 10th century.
- The castle has been overrun and partially destroyed many times by many armies over the centuries.
- There are 130 rooms on three levels on the hill, many connected by underground passageways.
- It was used several times as a prison and as a barracks for soldiers. It is being refurbished.
A truly beautiful castle perched on a hilltop.
4. Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle
- Close to the border with Romania on a major trade route, the castle was built in the 14th century.
- It has passed back and forth from Lithuanian to Polish to the Ottoman Empire.
- In relatively good shape, the castle is extensive and has towers and dungeons, and creepy corridors.
Great place to visit. The village remains quaintly medieval and holds several festivals each year celebrating its history.
5. Khotyn Fortress
- This castle is just north of the conjunction of borders between Moldova and Romania on the bank of the Dniester River.
- Also located on a trade route, the keep dominated the river trade.
- Like other castles, Khotyn changed hands multiple times over the centuries. During the Battle of Khotyn, the Ottoman invasion was stopped at the castle.
Picturesque and well preserved with another castle close by.
Ukraine is a land of hills and mountains, beautiful scenery, and fascinating castles. It is worth a week or two, and you can bring your dog along for long walks in the scenic outdoors as long as they won’t run away. You’ll love it.
Mary Pearsall is an interior designer who specializes with modern yet mixed with rustic and vintage elements. Her passion for history (which made her research and travel a lot) and keen eye makes her sought after by various clients.