Lutsk where the centuries meet
Here you will find yourself in Europe. It is probably one of the most clean cities around Ukraine, because people respect their environment. It has very peaceful atmosphere and people say that is due to the special leisurely mentality of the locals. Lutsk people do care about their city, so do not be surprised to find a table on the tree saying: "I was born in 1980 and love my town. I don’t want to die." This is how they protect their houses and yards and castles.
Lutsk is one of the oldest cities of Ukraine. The name "Lutsk" was first seen in the Ipatiev Chronicle of 1085, when the city appeared in the center of the squabbles between the heirs of Yaroslav the Wise. The most trustworthy version of the origin of the name Lutsk (ancient – Luchesk) is connected with the geographical position of the city at the bend (luka in old Slavic) of the river Styr.
Modern Lutsk is divided into the old and the new parts. The old city has landmarks of the 12th-17th centuries can be found. One of best known structures in the old town, the Upper Lutsk castle, is listed as one of the ten oldest fortification constructions in Western Europe. In 1429 the castle was the site of a convention of European monarchs. Today it has become a popular staging ground for cinematography and music videos. The Eurovision star Ruslana Lyzhychko initiated the well-known project "Castles of Ukraine" for the protection and preservation of ancient landmarks on the walls of Lutsk castle. Also located in the old city are the Catholic cathedral of St Peter and Paul, the Orthodox Svyato-Pokrovska church where old traditional worship is still conducted, a former neogothic Lutheran church and a Jewish synagogue. It is also possible to visit a medieval underground complex beneath Lutsk castle, including a temple, tombs and dining-rooms as well as to walk on mysterious underground roads that according to legend once extended under the whole city.
One of the longest central drags of Lutsk is beautiful Voli Street that was named so after the proclamation of independence in Ukraine. Parallel to the avenue, which is decorated with flower-beds and fountains, flows the Styr River, a tributary of the Pripyat River. Adjoining the Styr River is Central Park named after Lesya Ukrainka which has an amusement park and a zoo.
The land of castles
Lutsk has the traditional layout for medieval towns, the Upper Castle (Grand Duke’s residence) was situated in the eastern section. The Roundabout Castle stood nearby with buildings for other dukes and nobility and wealthy citizens. Commercial trading blocks were situated between the Castle and the Styr River. The rest of the city, including the local government, was separate from the Castle.
Some of the ancient buildings are preserved to this day and since 1985 this part of Lutsk has been included in the State Historic and Cultural Preserve.
The most ancient building is the Upper Castle built by Lubart in 1340-1384. Today, only three towers - Vorotna, Styrova and Vladycha, connected with high walls - remain standing along with the house of the Regional Treasury. Lutsk seems to have more old monasteries than any other Ukrainian city. The hey can be seen all around the city.
Brigitta Convent was established in 1624 and functioned until a fire in 1845, when it was converted to a local prison. The Jesuit Convent with the Collegium and Roman-Catholic church was built in 1616-1639 by the Italian architect Jacob Briano. It was a part of the fortification system of the Roundabout Castle. The Jesuit Collegium was a very important higher educational institution famous for its library and student theatre. The Roman-Catholic church was the main cathedral in Lutsk. After World War II it became a warehouse and then a Museum of Atheism. In 1992 it was restored to its previous status.
Opposite the Roman Catholic church there was the group of buildings of Sharita’s Convent. It existed during the 15th-18th centuries and included the Bishop Palace, a hospital and a Latin school. At the end of the 18th century the Academy of Science was founded in the same location and later – the Convent of Charity.
There is a Dominican Monastery on the south bank of Styr. When the monastery was flourishing it had a school, a printing-house and a music choir. Today there is a seminary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church here.
More buildings of historic interest are situated near the centre of the old town: the Lutheran kirk and the Protection of the Virgin Church. German colonists built the kirk in 1906-1907 and it is now used by evangelists. The Protection of the Virgin Church is considered to be the oldest church in Lutsk, first being mentioned in 1583. It houses one of the oldest icons of Ukraine. It was restored in the 17th century and the Bell Tower was built in the 19th century.
The Bazilian Monastery is situated in the northern part of the old town and includes the Church of the Exaltation. These orthodox brotherhood buildings were intended to protect people’s beliefs, language and culture from the influence of Catholicism.
There is another castle that was founded not long ago that can take your breeze too. Once the city council decided to allocate a land plot for school of sculpture to exhibit their works. Mykola Holovan, who heads this school, decided to create a castle and decorate it with kids and students’ masterpieces. One will be amazed by a variety of sculptures on the teritory. However, you will not notice too much tourists around it. The reason is that due to the lack of stone material Holovan often use tombstone from the old Jewish and Polish cemeteries. A lot of locals do not appreciate this fact.
Old Lutsk is an extremely beautiful town where cultures, epochs and characters are mixed together. Come visit it to feel the real beauty of ancient times and the might of Lutsk castles. Volyn welcomes you!
