Tour Description
In the Carpathian Mountains visitors can not only admire picturesque mountain landscapes, but also beautiful ancient buildings, built in harmony with nature. It seems that mountains, covered with evergreen woods, organically outlined architectural and cultural traditions of mountain dwellers.
For centuries, their mastery in carpentry and wooden architecture had been improved and developed into genuine high art of erecting buildings of original forms and perfect constructions. On the territory, inhabited by Ukrainians, there is a tradition of wooden architecture with common features, which originate from the times of Kyiv Rus', but it was in the Carpathians, in Hutsul Region in particular, that this tradition reached its highest level of development. Architecture of this region has features which are characteristic of Hutsul, Boyky and Lemky ethnic groups.
The most perfect buildings of Hutsul house-building which survived till our days since time immemorial are wooden churches. In the old Hutsul kolyada there are the following words: ‘there, where Christ’s drops of blood fell on the ground, appeared a church’. Every village had its own church, even the smallest one. The churches of Hutsul school of folk architecture are cruciform churches, with one, sometimes three and five domes. The researches believe that such wooden cross-shaped churches were built in the Carpathians during the period of Halych Rus' (12-14th centuries), though these buildings did not survive till our days.
Wooden churches is one of the most characteristic displays of regional cultural heritage and possibly the most precious contribution of Carpathian region to the world treasure house of art; historical monuments, the source of the greatest esthetic pleasure and finally – the most attractive tourist objects. Wooden temples may be found almost in every district of the Western Region, in cities and mountain villages. They are unique samples of wooden architecture. Their beautiful architecture and unusually vivid interior are fascinating.
Traditionally, one can differentiate between 5 styles of Carpathian wooden churches. Lemky, Boyky and Hutsul styles – named so after the ethnic groups of Carpathian Ukrainians, and gothic and baroque – signify the connection to the West.
Lemky and Boyky churches are built in the oldest traditions of Ukrainian church building, which are based on the principle of triple unity: the church has three parts, three domes, three tops. Ancient temples of a house type are characteristic of Bukovyna.
Hundreds of wooden temples, built during 14-20th centuries, survived till our days in the Carpathian Region of Ukraine on the territory of:
- · Zakarpattia Oblast – 118;
- · Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast –50;
- · Lviv Oblast – 28;
- · Ternopil Oblast – 115;
- · Charnivtsi Oblast – 53.
According to the official data, 2000 wooden churches are preserved in Ukraine.
8 wooden churches of the Carpathian Region of Ukraine are waiting to be added to UNESCO World Heritage List: 4 churches in Lviv Oblast' (Holy Spirit Church (1502) in Potelych, St.George’s Church (1657) in Drohobych, Holy Trinity Church (1720) in Zhovkva, Church of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1838) in Matkiv); 2 churches in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast' (Church of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1808) in Nyzhnij Verbizh, Holy Spirit Church (1490s) in Rohatyn); 2 churches in Zakarpattia Oblast (The Church of the Ascension of Our Lord (1824) in Yasinia, The Church of St. Archangel Mykhailo (1745) in Uzhok).
The developed model tourist product makes it possible to diversify it in accordance with the terms of holding and modification of tourist objects, as well as according to the convenience in transportation of tourists to the starting point after the tour. It is especially important for the tour operator and their ability to diversify the list of tourist objects for different categories of tourists as well as to create their own variants of tourist programmes on the basis of given model product for other consumers of the products of specialized interests or niche tourism.
The developed tour begins in Ukraine. The starting point of the programme is the airport or the railway station in Lviv.
This product has the main programme which is saturated with tourist target objects, which strictly speaking define the content component of the suggested tour. The programme is designed for 4 days and its route passes through Lviv – Rohatyn – Kolomyia – Kosiv – Verkhovyna – Tatariv – Rakhiv – Dilove.
The fifth day of the tour is variable and can be changed according to the direction of further track and scheduled duration of tourist residence on the territory of the Carpathian Region:
Variant №1
The fifth day of tour begins in Maramures County in the town of Baia-Mare (Romania) and it will last from 2 to 4 days according to the programme, developed in such a way that each day of tour is independent and complete. The object of predicted tourist interest gives a possibility to get acquainted with one of the oldest cultures of the region, as well as with wooden churches, some of which are added to UNESCO Cultural Heritage List and contain important valuable artefacts. Local history of Maramures County is seen through wooden churches and carved gates – reveal the place, where magnificent architecture is an embodiment of local peculiarities!
Having recognized certain parts of Maramures County in Northern Transylvania as World Cultural Heritage Sites, UNESCO thereby took monuments of wooden architecture under its protection. Orthodox churches with tall spires, which can be found only in this region, look very peculiar.
Additionally, one can get acquainted with the art of wood carving and its traditional motifs, skillfully carved on wooden gates with peculiar peasant storage buildings, which are brought into action with the help of water power.
Variant №2
The fifth day of tour continues in Ukraine. Tourists follow the route through Tatariv ‒ Mykulychyn ‒ Yaremche ‒ Dora ‒ Dolyna ‒ Drohobych ‒Potelych ‒ Lviv.
The following tourist objects are added to the tour programme:
- The Holy Trinity church in the village of Mykulychyn, built in 1868. There are wall paintings and a unique iconostasis in the interior of the church.
- Mykhailivska Church in the village of Dora, built in the 17th century. There are ornament paintings of the 20th century on the walls of the church.
- Operating monastery of the Studite monks in the village of Dora and the Church of the Holy Prophet Illya (the beginning of the 20th century) which belongs to the monastery.
- St. George's Church (15-16 centuries) situated in Drohobych, Lviv Oblast, is waiting to be added to UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Church of the Holy Spirit in the village of Potelych, Lviv Oblast, built in 1502, is also waiting to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The programme of the tour “Wooden Temples of the Carpathians”
Variant №1
The route of the tour:
Lviv – Rohatyn – Cherche – Shevchenkove – Halych – Kolomyia –Kosiv – Yavoriv – Kryvorivnia – Verkhovyna – Vorokhta – Tatariv – Yablunytsia – Lazeshchyna – Yasinia – Rakhiv – Dilove – Serednie Vodiane – Solotvyno – the border – Sihetu Marmatsiei – Baia Mare – Khalmeu – Vynohradiv – Mukachevo – Stryj – Drohobych – Lviv.
The Programme of the Tour
Day 1.
Lviv ‒ Rohatyn ‒ Halych ‒ Kolomyia
In the morning – a meeting at the airport or at the railway station in Lviv.
Breakfast.
Observation trip through Lviv and a visit to Lychakiv Cemetery and the High Castle.
An excursion Lviv ‒ Rohatyn “From the city of lions to the town of Roksolana”.
An excursion to The Church of the Holy Spirit (1490s), an architectural monument of national importance (the church is petitioning for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
An excursion to St. Mary Nativity Church ‒ (the temple was built in the 12-14th centuries and is one of the oldest cult buildings of Ukraine, which combined different architectural styles (gothic and baroque); a precious monument of cultural and sacral heritage).
Moving to Rohatyn and Halych with an excursion to the village Cherche (St. Basil’s Church, built in 1733) and to Shevchenkove village for a visit of one of the oldest churches of Ukraine ‒ the Church of St. Panteleimon.
Dinner in the town of Halych.
Moving to Halych and Kolomyia.
Stop near the Chapel of Ioan Predtecha and Duchova Krynytsia ‒ one of the holy places for the citizens of Halych, which are situated in Urochyshche Vyshnovets near the village of Iezupil. According to the beliefs, which came to us from the depth of the centuries, water from this source has a healing power.
In the evening – settling in the town of Kolomyia (Hotel Kolomyia, Pysanka, private farm household “On the Corner”)
Day 2.
Kolomyia – Nyzhnii Verbizh – Pistyn – Kosiv – Yavoriv.
Breakfast.
Observation trip through Kolomyia with possible participation in the morning divine service in Blahovishchenska Church (1587) ‒ one of the oldest in Ukraine. This small temple in Pokuttia may be considered one of the oldest examples of Hutsul sacral architecture, which survived till our time.
Excursion to St. Mary Nativity Church in the village of Nyzhnii Verbizh, Kolomyia region ‒ a monument of local significance of the 19th century, which is added to UNESCO World Heritage List.
Moving to the village of Pistyn. Trip to Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary, 1623, built at the bank of the river Pistenka, and to ancient stone crosses near the church (beginning of the 18th century).
Arrival in Kosiv. Dinner in Kosiv.
Observation trip through the town of Kosiv with the visit to the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist(1912), and Vasylivska Church and Belfry (1895), – monuments of Hutsul wooden church architecture. Settling in farm households or hotels (hotel “Baika”, “Kosiv”, recreation center “Legend of the Carpathians”; private farm household “At Lulka’s”).
Supper in Kosiv.
Day 3.
Kosiv – Yavoriv – Kryvorivnia – Verkhovyna – Vorokhta – Lazeshchyna – Kvasy – Rakhiv
Breakfast.
Excursion “Wooden Hutsul Churches”.
Arrival in Yavoriv for an excursion to the wooden Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1926.
Moving to the village of Kryvorivnia. An excursion to “The village ‒ museum of Kryvorivnia”.
Walking tour “Hutsul Athens” – the village of Kryvorivnia. An excursion to one of the oldest churches in Hutsulia ‒ operating Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1719. An excursion to the museum of Hutsul housekeeping “Hutsul Hrazhda”, rectories of the priests of the village of Kryvorivnia, where stayed Lesya Ukrainka.
Moving to Verkhovyna. Observation trip through the village of Verkhovyna.
Moving to Vorokhta. An excursion to the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (16515).
Moving to the village of Tatariv. Dinner in Tatariv.
An excursion to St. Dmytro Church and the belfry of the 18th century.
Moving to the village of Lazeshchyna. An excursion to the Church of the Transfiguration, or as it is called by the locals – Strymba Church (1780).
According to the legends, it was built in Yablunytsia and in 1871 and transferred to the present place. This five section, one-dome church has distinct features of Hutsul architecture school.
Moving to the village of Yasinia.
An excursion to the Church of the Transfiguration (Voznesenska or Strukivska), which is referred to as one of the greatest church buildings of classical type, which entered the history under the name of Hutsul. The existing temple was built at the end of the 18th century. In a compositional way the temple is noticeable for its striking expressiveness and simplicity.
The construction of the building is similar to Petropavlivska (Plytovatska) Church. It is a cruciform church with longitudinal naves. The square of the central volume is created by the intersection of two rectangular sections of different lengths. The church was built in the 18th century. Some literary sources state that it was built at the beginning of the 19th century and name specific date ‒ 1835. According to the local tradition the church was transported from the village of Yablunytsia.
Moving to the town of Rakhiv. Checking into a hotel. Supper.
Day 4.
Rakhiv – Dilove – Serednie Vodiane – Solotvyno (crossing the border) – Syhetu Marmatsiei – Baia Mare.
Breakfast. Observation trip through the town of Rakhiv “Hutsul Paris”. Moving to the village of Dilove in the center of Europe. An excursion to the Church of the Assumption (1750) in the village of Dilove.
Moving to Dilove – Serednie Vodiane. An excursion to Mykolaiv Church (the upper one), 1428, the belfry of Mykolaiv Church (the upper one), the 18th century and Mykolaiv Church (the lower one), the 17th century.
Moving to Solotvyno – Baia Mare (for groups of more than 8 people ‒ following the route Solotvyno – Khust ‒ Vynohradiv ‒ Khalmeu ‒ Baia Mare)
Day 5.
Romania. Maramures. Baia Mare
The territory around Baia Mare, gives a good opportunity to observe the beauty of nature in full, as well as the culture, characteristic of Maramures County. Observation trip through Baia-Mare: the architecture of the town is worth visiting: modern buildings with special local elements perfectly combine with the buildings of the 15-16thcenturies in the old part of the town.
There are museums and galleries in the town, where valuable artefacts are displayed. An excursion to Peasant museum, which is a part of the National Ethnographic Museum, where wooden buildings in a traditional architectural style and peasant utility buildings are displayed.
An excursion to Mineralogical Museum in Baia Mare.
Day 6.
Wooden churches in Mara, Desesti, Budesti, Barsani
Breakfast in original wooden restaurant complex on the bank of the river Mara, fish restaurant “Happy Fish”: feel the freshness of the surrounding woods and enjoy the beauty of the river Mara and fish pond with trout, situated inside the restaurant complex.
In Desest an excursion to wooden Church of St. Paraskiva, built in 1770 and painted Radu Muntenu. The importance of this cultural monument lies in its technical composition and in perfect combination of simplicity and striking elegance of fancy elements. The church is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
Budesti entices with hundreds of old cottages, closely located to each other along narrow winding streets. Historical and religious monument of architecture – wooden Church of St. Mykola was built in 1643. The church provokes admiration not only because of its monumentalism, complex construction, interior and outer decoration, but also stained glass windows and wooden icons (some of them have icons on both sides, the so called “prasnikars”), which proves high mastery of two artists – Alexander Ponekhalski and Ianosa Oprisa.
Another wooden church – St. Paraskeva Church, built in 1760, is a sign of community’s development. Historical and important religious monument of architecture is rich in its precious collection of icons, painted on wood.
Restored Barsan Monastery Complex ‒ namely nunnery, where 16 nuns live. Built in place of abandoned church in 1790, today this complex is an outstanding cultural and religious place. Its church with a 56 m long spire – is the highest wooden building in Europe. Expressive details of architectural forms, carved by Maramures craftsmen, are the reason to visit Barsan. Neither mechanised tools nor nails were used to build this huge wooden building.
Day 7.
Cultural value of wood in Kozau Valley
This valley is one of the places, where traditional architecture is preserved to the greatest extent. Households of the locals were built in the style of wooden constructions and consist of peasant buildings, which are so important in work and everyday life. Carved wooden gates are the real treasure of national art, as well as the symbol of local culture.
The gate to Kozau valley is the calling card of its architecture. Of course, there are wonderful wooden churches, skillfully made pantries, hand cut beams and wonderful wooden huts. Still the gate, behind which the citizens of this place live, is remarkable in its beauty and symbolism.
Day 8.
Masterpieces of wooden architecture in Mara Valley.
Breakfast.
Moving to Baia Mare ‒ Manastirea. In the village of Monastirea – an excursion to the smallest wooden church in Romania, which is built only from oak in the 16-17th century and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An excursion to the complex of peasant storage buildings, which are in most cases used by the citizens of the villages of Harnitsesti, Budesti and Sarbi.
Vibrational bath is used for washing big sheets of woollen cloth, namely traditional products from sheep wool in Maramures County.
People grind grain crops, most often maize, with the help of watermill. At the fulling-mill woollen cloth is made thinner, passing it through two big wooden hammers. All the constructions are made from wood and are brought into action with water power.
Farewell party in peasant cottage is complemented by the local musicians and bonfires.
Day 9.
A return to Lviv.
Breakfast.
Moving to Baia Mare ‒ Khalmeu ‒ Vynohradiv ‒ Mukachevo ‒ Struj ‒ Drohobych ‒ Lviv. Dinner during the route.
An excursion to Vozdvyzhenska Church ‒ St. George’s Church (the 15-16th centuries) in the town of Drohobych, which is added to UNESCO World Heritage List.
The ending of the tour programme at the railway station or at the airport in Lviv.
The Programme of the Tour
Variant №2
Tour Route:
Lviv – Rohatyn – Cherche – Shevchenko – Halych – Kolomyia – Kosiv – Kryvorivnia – Vorokhta – Lazeshchyna – Yasinia – Rakhiv – Dilove – Verkhnie Vodiane – Rakhiv – Tatariv – Yaremche – Dolyna – Drohobycha – Potelych – Lviv.
The Programme of the Tour
Day 1.
Lviv ‒ Rohatyn ‒ Halych ‒ Kolomyia
In the morning – a meeting at the airport or at the railway station in Lviv.
Breaksfast.
Observation trip through Lviv and a visit to Lychakiv Cemetery and the High Castle.
An excursion Lviv ‒ Rohatyn “From the city of lions to the town of Roksolana”.
An excursion to The Church of the Holy Spirit (1490s), an architectural monument of national importance (the church is petitioning for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
An excursion to St. Mary Nativity Church ‒ (the temple was built in the 12-14th centuries and is one of the oldest cult buildings of Ukraine, which combined different architectural styles (gothic and baroque); a precious monument of cultural and sacral heritage).
Moving to Rohatyn and Halych with an excursion to the village Cherche (St. Basil’s Church, built in 1733) and to Shevchenkove village for a visit of one of the oldest churches of Ukraine ‒ the Church of St. Panteleimon.
Dinner in the town of Halych.
Moving to Halych and Kolomyia.
Stop near the Chapel of Ioan Predtecha and Duchova Krynytsia ‒ one of the holy places for the citizens of Halych, which are situated in Urochyshche Vyshnovets near the village of Iezupil. According to the beliefs, which came to us from the depth of the centuries, water from this source has a healing power.
In the evening – settling in the town of Kolomyia (Hotel Kolomyia, Pysanka, private farm household “On the Corner”)
Day 2.
Kolomyia – Nyzhnii Verbizh – Pistyn – Kosiv – Yavoriv.
Breakfast.
Observation trip through Kolomyia with possible participation in the morning divine service in Blahovishchenska Church (1587) ‒ one of the oldest in Ukraine. This small temple in Pokuttia may be considered one of the oldest examples of Hutsul sacral architecture, which survived till our time.
Excursion to St. Mary Nativity Church in the village of Nyzhnii Verbizh, Kolomyia region ‒ a monument of local significance of the 19th century, which is added to UNESCO World Heritage List. Moving to the village of Pistyn. Trip to The Assumption of the Blessed Mary Church, 1623, built at the bank of the river Pistenka, and to ancient stone crosses near the church (beginning of the 18th century).
Arrival in Kosiv. Dinner in Kosiv.
Observation trip through the town of Kosiv with the visit to the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist(1912), and Vasylivska Church and Belfry (1895), – monuments of Hutsul wooden church architecture.
Settling in farm households or hotels (hotel “Baika”, “Kosiv”, recreation center “Legend of the Carpathians”; private farm household “At Lulka’s”). Supper in Kosiv.
Day 3.
Kosiv – Yavoriv – Kryvorivnia – Verkhovyna – Vorokhta – Lazeshchyna – Kvasy – Rakhiv
Breakfast.
Excursion “Wooden Hutsul Churches”.
Arrival in Yavoriv for an excursion to the wooden Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1926.
Moving to the village of Kryvorivnia. An excursion to “The village ‒ museum of Kryvorivnia”.
Walking tour “Hutsul Athens” – the village of Kryvorivnia. An excursion to one of the oldest churches in Hutsulia ‒ operating Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1719. An excursion to the museum of Hutsul housekeeping “Hutsul Hrazhda”, rectories of the priests of the village of Kryvorivnia, where stayed Lesya Ukrainka.
Moving to Verkhovyna. Observation trip through the village of Verkhovyna.
Moving to Vorokhta. An excursion to the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (16515).
Moving to the village of Lazeshchyna. An excursion to the Church of the Transfiguration, or as it is called by the locals – Strymba Church (1780).
According to the legends, it was built in Yablunytsia and in 1871 and transferred to the present place. This five section, one-dome church has distinct features of Hutsul architecture school.
Moving to the village of Yasinia.
An excursion to the Church of the Transfiguration (Voznesenska or Strukivska), which is referred to as one of the greatest church buildings of classical type, which entered the history under the name of Hutsul. The existing temple was built at the end of the 18th century. In a compositional way the temple is noticeable for its striking expressiveness and simplicity.
The construction of the building is similar to Petropavlivska (Plytovatska) Church. It is a cruciform church with longitudinal naves. The square of the central volume is created by the intersection of two rectangular sections of different lengths. The church was built in the 18th century. Some literary sources state that it was built at the beginning of the 19th century and name specific date ‒ 1835. According to the local tradition the church was transported from the village of Yablunytsia.
Moving to the town of Rakhiv. Checking into a cottage. Supper.
Day 4.
Rakhiv – Dilove – Serednie Vodiane – Rakhiv – Tatariv
Breakfast. Observation trip through the town of Rakhiv “Hutsul Paris”. Moving to the village of Dilove in the center of Europe. An excursion to the Church of the Assumption (1750) in the village of Dilove.
Moving to Dilove – Serednie Vodiane. An excursion to Mykolaiv Church (the upper one), 1428, the belfry of Mykolaiv Church (the upper one), the 18th century and Mykolaiv Church (the lower one), the 17th century.
Moving to Serednie Vodiane – Rakhiv – Tatariv. Dinner in Tatariv. Checking into a cottage of rural tourism (“Anastasiia”, “Prutets”).
An excursion to St. Dmytro Church and Belfry of the 18th century.
Supper. Free time.
Day 5.
Tatariv – Mykulychyn – Yaremche – Dora – Dolyna –Drohobych – Potelych – Lviv
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Breakfast. Moving to Tatariv ‒ Yaremche. An excursion to Trojitska Church in Mykulychyn, which is built in 1868. Art’s masterpiece is iconostasis and wall paintings. An excursion to two churches in the village of Dora, Yaremche town council: Mykhailivska Church in Dora, built in the 17th century. In the interior of the church there are ornamental paintings of the 20th century on the walls. The Church of St. Prophet Illia in the village of Dora, built at the beginning of the 20th century and belongs to the operating monastery of the Studite monks. Moving to Yaremche – Dolyna – Drohobych. Dinner during the trip. An excursion to Vozdvyzhenska Church in Drohobych ‒ the church of St. George (the 15-16th century), which is added to the list of objects, which are waiting to be added to UNESCO World Heritage List. Moving to Drohobych ‒ Potelych. An excursion to the Church of the Holy Spirit in the village of Potelych, Lviv Oblast. The church was built using the money of Potelych potters in 1502 (the church is petitioning for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Typical for traditional wooden architecture of Halychyna three section church ‒ narthex (babynets), nave, altar. The central section (nave) has a hipped roof. Reconstruction in 1736 added to the traditional forms of the church an octahedral completion above the altar. Exceptional artistic value of the wall paintings in the interior of the church, built in 1620-1640, as well as the mastery of architectural structure of the building, gives a reason to refer the monument to the masterpieces of Ukrainian culture and art of the 16-17th century. The ending of the programme of the tour ‒ at the airport or at the railway station in Lviv.
Constituent elements of tourism services pack (information about service providers)
Table of transportation part of the tour “Wooden churches of the Carpathians”
(The timing is given taking into consideration the condition of the roads for the transportation with excursion vehicles)
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