Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(vul Kafedralna 1; admission 10uah; 10am-7pm Tue-Sun)
Lutsk's 14th-century castle stands
surrounded by ornate 17th-century churches and homes and is in fairly decent shape for a
Ukrainian fortress. Known as Lubart's Castle after the Lithuanian prince who ordered it
built, it has sturdy 13m-high ramparts topped with three tall towers, one containing a bell
museum. There are also the archaeological remains of a 12th-century church and 14th-
century palace, a small dungeon, a museum of topics and a small art collection (extra
3uah). The castle's entrance tower features on the 200uah note if you want to get a sneak
preview before visiting.
St Peter's &
Paul's Cathedral
CATHEDRAL
(vul Kafedralna)
The Jesuit complex on vul Kafedralna was designed in the early to
mid-17th century by Italian architect Giacomo Briano. The stately, newly renovated
facade of the cathedral dates from 1640, the renovated interior - painted in pink and yel-
low tones - resembling a massive Easter egg. Closed following WWII, the building
served as a museum of atheism in the 1970s.
Museum of the Volyn Icon
MUSEUM
(
www.volyn-ikona.at.ua
; vul Yaroshchuka 5; admission 15uah; 10am-6pm, to 5pm Sun, closed
Wed & Sat)
Displaying over 100 painted icons, this museum provides an overview of the
celebrated Volyn School of icon-painting from the 16th to 18th century. The highlight is
the 'Chelm icon of the Blessed Virgin', which attracts processions of pilgrims to the mu-
seum.
Trinity Church
CHURCH
(maydan Teatralny)
The main Orthodox church in Lutsk dates from 1752 and is a much
more atmospheric affair than the Saint Peter's and Paul's Cathedral, not having been
stripped of its gilding and icons by the Soviets. The interior is perfumed with beeswax
candles and infused with 260 years of worship.
St Bridget's Monastery
MONASTERY
(vul Kafedralna 14)
In the 18th century this working monastery was once a convent where
the nuns were so strict about their 'no male on the premises' rule that they didn't allow
firefighters in when the building was ablaze. The result was a huge fire that destroyed
much of the original timber town. Today the derelict courtyard contains a memorial wall
with black plaques bearing the names of those shot by the NKVD in 1941 as the Nazis
approached Lutsk.
