Pidhirtsi Castle – Pidhirtsi, Ukraine - Atlas Obscura
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Pidhirtsi Castle

Pidhirtsi, Ukraine

One of the most valuable palace-garden complexes in the eastern borderlands—and one of the most haunted.  

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External view of the castle. alessandro cini (Atlas Obscura User)
External view of the castle. alessandro cini (Atlas Obscura User)
The church outside the castle. alessandro cini (Atlas Obscura User)
External view of the castle. alessandro cini (Atlas Obscura User)
Subterrain exposition. alessandro cini (Atlas Obscura User)
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Ukraine is a country filled with legends and mysticism. One of the most interesting places is Pidhirsti castle. It’s also known as one of the most haunted castles in Ukraine. 

Tales surround a mysterious lady in white, whose spirit is said to still wander around the castle. It’s believed the lady’s name is Maria Zhevuska, the wife of Zhevuski Duke.

Apart from its ghostly history, the castle is massive and has been restored many times over the years. The castle was constructed around 1640 by a French-Polish architect in cooperation with an Italian architect. The Renaissance influence can be seen in the design of the round church in front of the castle. It’s enriched by statues of saints carved out of local dark sandstone.

The castle was sieged several times over its lifetime and was even set ablaze. At the end of World War II, this region, previously part of Poland, was annexed to Ukraine and the castle became a tuberculosis sanitarium, until the fire nearly destroyed it in 1956. Today it belongs to Lviv Art Gallery and can be visited anytime, although it’s still abandoned and in bad condition.

Know Before You Go

The basement, which holds a “ghost residence,” is not free but can be seen by purchasing a ticket. The church is free to visit. 

castles legends history & culture architecture
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41.42 miles
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