TOP 15 Palaces, Castles, and Fortresses of Ukraine to Visit

The distinctiveness of Ukrainian history was shaped under the influence of many factors. Ukrainian lands repeatedly became a battleground, that tempting piece of territory foreign invaders sought to seize. This led to the construction of various defensive buildings and structures that featured different architectural traits, mostly common abroad. But thanks to the construction of these majestic and sturdy structures, people today can see beautiful buildings with their own eyes and feel part of Ukrainian history. For those planning a trip to the notable places of Ukraine, we offer a selection of the most popular and impressive castles in Ukraine.

1. Medzhybizh Castle

In one of the old towns of Khmelnychchyna stands one of the local landmarks — Medzhybizh Castle. It was built back in 1362 as a defensive structure against frequent Tatar attacks. In addition, the defensive complex contains many other structures that created conditions for local residents to live there. This is shown by the surviving ceramics, the large window sizes, the presence of fireplaces, decorative attics, and white-stone portals. Among the surviving structures are the castle church, defensive walls, an arched drawbridge, three towers, and two castle wings.

Today, Medzhybizh Castle is a popular tourist site where knightly tournaments are held twice a year, accompanied by loud celebrations and various surprises. You can learn more about the traditions and everyday life of ancient times at the local history museum, located in the service buildings of the castle.

2. Pidhirtsi Castle

Pidhirtsi Castle in Pidhirtsi is a work of architecture commissioned by the greatest magnate of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, S. Koniecpolski, for rest and entertainment.

The luxurious castle was built to a design by the architects Guillaume Levasseur and Andrzej del Aqua. Famous monarchs came here, and renowned artists and poets described the castle. Various objects remarkable for their beauty and value were kept here, and the rooms were named in their honor: gold, mosaic, green, mirror, Chinese, crimson, and others.

Today, Pidhirtsi Castle is part of the Lviv Gallery of Arts, which is making every effort to preserve and show visitors the beauty and luxury of the European nobility.

3. Ostroh Castle

One of the most majestic castles in Ukraine, the cultural heritage of Ostroh — Ostroh Castle — was built in 1241 to strengthen the city against Mongol-Tatar attacks. At that time, the castle was surrounded by a deep water-filled moat, and behind its powerful walls stood the Epiphany fortress church, the Gate Tower, the Murovana Tower, and the Round Tower. This unique structure has walls 3 m thick, its ledges were made for guards, and the lower part was fitted with loopholes.

On the territory of the modern Ostroh Castle is the oldest museum in Rivneshchyna. The castle’s treasure is the Ostroh Bible — a complete edition of the Old and New Testaments.

The history of Ostroh Castle is filled not only with interesting facts but also with legends told by the museum guides.

4. Schonborn Castle

A true adornment of Zakarpattia is Schonborn Castle. Its refined, elegant silhouette stands out from the surrounding greenery even from a distance. The history of the castle began in 1728, when Karl 4 granted the lands of Zakarpattia to the architect Lothar Franz von Shebon. Thus, a majestic castle was built from a small hunting lodge, designed by architect Groserson. The uniqueness of Schonborn Castle lies in its symbolism. It has 365 windows (the number of days in a year), 52 chimneys (the number of weeks in a year), and 12 entrances (the number of months in a year).

The Schonborn family did everything possible to preserve the castle. However, in 1944 they had to leave for another country, and in the 50s the castle became the property of the Karpaty sanatorium. And although the beauty of the interiors has almost not survived since then, visitors can admire the beauty of the castle itself and the English-style arboretum surrounding it.

5. Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle

The flower on the stone, rising above one of Ukraine's popular tourist cities Kamianets-Podilskyi — the namesake castle, founded in the 9th century. It is a silent witness that survived the times of Khan Batu's attack and saw the city’s decline and flourishing after the liberation by the Lithuanian prince Algirdas. Despite numerous wars, Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle not only stood firm but still looks beautiful today.

Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle is the epicenter of the city's cultural life. Festivals are held here, loud celebrations and interesting tours.

6. Lubart's Castle in Lutsk

One of the most beautiful structures in Lutsk is Lubart's Castle, built in the 10th century. The building is named after the Lithuanian prince Lubart, but not because he built it, rather because he made every effort to preserve and restore it.

Over the years of its existence, the castle has changed hands several times, was under siege, and served various purposes. Until the XVI century it was a princely residence, from the middle of the XVI century — a center of judicial power, in the XVIII century an office, and today — a historical and cultural reserve.

There are many legends surrounding the castle, but it is worth seeing and hearing Lubart's Castle in person.

7. Olesko Castle

Externally an impregnable fortress, and from the inside a romantic gem of Lviv Oblast — this is what Oleskyi Castle looks like. The walls of the building have lived through many events: changes of ownership, fires, wars, and decay. But after lengthy reconstruction, the building not only regained its attractive appearance, but also became a museum-reserve in the village of Olesky.

The modern museum of Oleskyi Castle houses many valuable historical landmarks, and the wall stucco has been preserved, highlighting the building's rich decoration. The preserved paintings, stained glass, and mosaics of the rooms create a unique medieval atmosphere that lets visitors immerse themselves in the past and learn more about the history of the castle and its owners.

The beauty of Oleskyi Castle attracts not only tourists, but also filmmakers, who shot Three Musketeers, Fire and Sword, and The Gadfly here.

8. Palanok Castle

Mukachevo Castle Palanok is a mighty medieval fortress that impresses with its size and number of towers. Its appearance was constantly changing. Thus, from a small outpost of the 10th-11th centuries, it was rebuilt into a modern defensive fortress. Only at the end of the 15th century did Palanok Castle become a typical medieval structure. In the 16th century, a ring bastion and a watchtower appeared, and in the 16th-18th centuries the Lower and Front Castles were built. The impregnable nature of Palanok Castle is evidenced by the fact that enemies never managed to take it by storm.

Over the years of its existence, Palanok Castle has constantly changed owners. It was owned by a Polish prince, a Hungarian king, Hungarian magnates, Transylvanian princes, the Rakoci family, and others.

Today, a branch of the Zakarpattia Regional Museum operates in Mukachevo Castle. But the castle is interesting not only for its museum display, but also for various events: knightly battles held here every year.

9. Zolochiv Castle

The medieval decoration of the Lviv town of Zolochiv — Zolochiv Castle — is a modern museum-reserve, as well as a monument of national significance. Some call it a miniature of the Luxembourg Garden, while for others it is a kind of witness to incredible historical events.

The interior decoration of Zolochiv Castle has been almost completely lost, but the reconstructed chapel still contains the icon of St. Nicholas from the 17th century. The Great Residential Palace has toilets, fireplaces, and secret passages. The former noble rooms have now become the storage place for the museum exhibition “Interiors of Historicism,” which consists of antique furniture from the 17th-18th centuries.

10. Svirzh Castle

Anyone who has ever watched the film Three Musketeers will certainly recognize Svirzh Castle in the footage; it is located in the remote village of Svirzh. The castle is an example of a defensive structure in which simple and expressive architectural forms, grandeur, and refinement of image are harmoniously combined.

Svirzh Castle was built in the 15th century. It was a strong fortified stone structure that acquired its modern appearance at the beginning of the 19th century, during the time of the Cetner family's ownership. Since the owners were passionate gardeners, a luxurious park was laid out around the castle.

But after its times of prosperity, the castle later fell into decline, yet this does not prevent it from surprising tourists with its legends and stories, or from impressing them with the grandeur and beauty of its architecture.

11. Khotyn Castle

The majestic Khotyn Castle rises above the banks of the Dnister. Its towering 40-meter walls are no smaller in size than most multi-storey buildings.

The history of Khotyn Castle is as tragic and heroic as that of the town of Khotyn itself. Thanks to its advantageous location as a trading center at the crossroads of trade routes, it was a tempting prize for enemies. Yet this did not stop the castle from constantly changing, being rebuilt, and expanding. In the 18th century, the Turks added a fortress and a minaret, and created a harem where more than 30 Ukrainian girls were held. In the 19th century, the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky was built.

During World War II, Khotyn Castle suffered extensive destruction, but it was partially restored, which makes it possible to understand just how incredibly beautiful and impressive this structure is.

12. Dakhovskyi Castle

A luxurious estate in Cherkasy Oblast in the Gothic style, where life was bustling at the beginning of the 19th century and the voices of guests of Polish landowners could be heard. The castle was built and reconstructed according to the designs of the owners themselves — the Dukhnovskyi family, who were engaged in construction and architecture. Thus, by the beginning of the 20th century, the construction of the Leskyi (Dakhovskyi) Castle had been completed in Lesky, and its construction area reached 80 hectares.

After the owners left for Poland, the castle was used as a holiday home for workers of the sugar plant, a Pioneers' camp, a hospital, a sanatorium, and military warehouses.

At present, Dakhovskyi Castle is in a state of decline and is waiting for sponsors and subsidies from the authorities.

13. Tarnovskyi Palace

Tarnovskyi Palace in Kachanivka is one of the few preserved estates in Chernihiv Oblast and is included among the 7 Wonders of Ukraine. The estate was built in 1720 in the classical style with funds from Count P. Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky. Its area expanded significantly under the new landowner-owners, the Tarnovskyi family. Since then, the palace has been transformed into a cultural and artistic center, visited by M. Hohol, T. Shevchenko, M. Hlinka, M. Vrubel, I. Repin, V. Sternbernh, M. Vovchok, and others. 

Equally interesting is not only Tarnovskyi Palace, but also the park ensemble created around it, which covers an area of 600 hectares. The “Romantic Ruins”, the Hills of Love and Fidelity, the gazebo with a grotto, and St. George's Church have been preserved here.

14. Metropolitan Palace

One of the interesting landmarks of Chernivtsi — Metropolitan Palace, which has become the city’s main tourist attraction. It draws attention with its size, originality, and the refinement of its interiors.

Metropolitan Palace is deservedly considered the most beautiful among the palaces that exist in Ukraine. The renowned Czech architect Josef Hlávka took part in its construction. 

Metropolitan Palace is a unique architectural masterpiece that combines features of Byzantine, Moorish, Gothic, and Romanesque styles. These features were unusual for Bukovyna, which only made the building stand out among the existing development. Anyone who visits the modern building of Y. Fedkovych University, where tours are held for the city’s guests, can see for themselves the beauty and splendor of the palace.

15. Akkerman Fortress

Among the largest medieval structures in Ukraine, special attention should be paid to Akkerman Fortress in Odesa Oblast. It was founded in the 17th century as a powerful defensive structure, whose strength has been successfully tested by the years and frequent attacks by enemies.

In Akkerman Fortress, not only the thick and high walls have survived, but also 24 towers. Two of them — the Maiden Tower and Pushkin Tower — have their own stories connected with tragic historical events.

While traveling through Ukraine and choosing castles and palaces as interesting places to visit, you can see how rich and interesting the history of Ukrainians is, and you will gain unforgettable impressions and unforgettable memories!