Attractions of Halych

According to one of the versions, the powerful castle above the Dniester near the harbor of Halych was built by the Volyn Voivode Lyubart on the site of the ancient Rus citadel, which stood on this site even during the time of Danylo Halytskyi.

Until the 15th century, the castle was one of the largest in Galicia, the garrison numbered a thousand people. In the 17th century, it withstood two Tatar sieges, and in 1649 it was taken by the troops of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi.

Andzhey Potocki, the Halych headman, took up the reconstruction, turning the wooden fortifications into a stone castle. The works were supervised by the Italian engineer Fransua Korrazini. In 1676, the castle was damaged during the Polish-Turkish war, soon lost its strategic importance and was partially dismantled for building materials.

It is currently part of the National Reserve "Ancient Halych". The south-western tower and part of the defensive wall have been restored, and the restoration of the chapel of Saint Catherine has begun. It is planned to open an exhibition of ancient weapons.

The Orthodox Church of the Nativity of Christ is mentioned in the 16th century as the main religious building of the craft district of ancient Halych (in 1593, the church was officially attached to a pottery workshop).

During the 16th-18th centuries, the church was repeatedly destroyed by the Tatars, after which it was reconstructed and acquired its current appearance. At the same time, a wooden carved iconostasis was made. At the beginning of the 20th century, restoration was carried out with the participation of Father Mykola Vinnytskyi, a well-known Muscovite who was repressed by the Austrian authorities. A monument to him was erected in front of the church.

In recent years, a bell tower has been erected nearby. A model of ancient Halych was built in the open air near the church.

In a small house in the center of Halych, a museum of the history and culture of the Karaite people - a small ethnic group whose origins are the subject of long-standing scientific disputes - has been opened.

Probably, a small group of Karaites moved to Halych from the Crimea in the 13th century. Reliable information about the Karaite colony in Halych dates back to the 16th century.

The exposition of the museum acquaints visitors with the religious and cultural traditions of the Karaites, the social and everyday life of the Karaite community of Halych.

The Art Gallery of the National Reserve "Ancient Halych" opened in 2010. Located on the second floor of the administrative building of the reserve.

The gallery exhibits works of art by Ukrainian artist from Australia, a native of the town of Berezhany in Ternopil region Volodymyr Savchak. You can also see paintings by Galician artist Bohdan Kuziv, other local artists.

The art gallery hosts thematic exhibitions and conferences.