Ukrainian western region is probably the most incredible place in Ukraine!

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Carpathian Mountains tour is considered to be one of the most exciting tours offered by the companies.

Past and present times perfectly coexist in the Western Part of Ukraine, namely Lvov, Zakarpattia, Chernovtsy and Ivano-Frankovsk regions. High quality of touristic service and authenticity, which is no longer improbable in Europe, will surprise you if you choose to have a journey across the Western Part of Ukraine. Such trip will provide you with an opportunity to simultaneously cross a number of various areas, both geographically and traditionally.

There are 4 regions in the west of Ukraine:

Lviv,
Ivano-Frankovsk,
Zakarpattia and
Chernovtsy

In my article I'll try to describe shortly the most exciting historical and geographical places of each region in Western Ukraine.

The City of Rohatyn (District centre) (Ivano-Frankovsk region), the history of which stretches back for almost eight centuries, has suffered a lot from foreign conquerors. Thus, in 1520 it survived multiple attacks by the Turkish-Tatar hordes. During one of them the town was burnt down to ashes and many residents were taken into captivity.

Among them there was a 15 year-old girl Nastya Lisovska. Sold to harem she managed to bewilder the most powerful sultan in the history of the Ottoman Empire- Suleiman the Magnificent (Conqueror) with her mind and charm. She turned from a disenfranchised slave into his favorite wife very quickly. This woman played a significant role in the cultural and political life of Empire for 40 years. She was called a "good wife" in Harem and European contemporaries knew her as Roksolana.

The City of Maniava (Ivano-Frankovsk region) is known for one of the most famous Christian Monasteries of Ukraine- Maniava skit. It is located in the forest. The official date of the monastery foundation is the year of 1611.

The Maniava monastery was repeatedly attacked by various enemies. One of the greatest values of this place is iconostasis. Bohorodchany iconostasis is considered to be a pearl of Ukrainian Sacral Art.

Created in the Baroque style this masterpiece consists of 6 rows with about 100 icons of total area 13x11 m.

Being in Maniava one should also consider making a trip to Maniava waterfalls that are considered to be the most picturesque ones in the Ukrainian Carpathians.

The City of Kolomiya (Ivano-Frankovsk region) is famous for one of the most unique museums in the world. The museum is egg-shaped and houses a collection of more than 12 thousands Easter Eggs (Pysankas). The exhibition displays colored, decorated and ornamented eggs from all over the world.

Wooden churches of Zakarpattia(Zakarpattia region) are second to none
in Europein terms of number and artistic value. Even now in spite of losses, there are 60 wooden churches which belong to various trends of folk architecture: Boyky, Lemky and Hutsul ones.

There are also unique so-called Gothic churches, which can be found on the territory of Ukraine only in Zakarpattia. Some of the most outstanding monuments are:

- Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, in the village of Novoselytsya, built in 1669
- St.Nicholas Church in the village of Serednye Vodyane, built in 1470
There are 4 unique churches in Khust district
- St.Nicholas Church 1666-1668 with the bell tower ( village Kraynikovo)
- St.Nicholas Church 1779 ( village Danylovo)
- St.Paraskevuya Church (village Oleksandrivka ) e.t.c.

One of the jewels ofZakarpattia is a famous "Valley of Narcissi". Its total area is 257 hectares. It's worth coming to the place in the middle of May to see this "incredible white wonder". Similar reserves but smaller in areas are still available in very few places - in the Alps, in Romania, at the Balkans, but nowhere on the European plain.

LakeSynevyr(Zakarpattia region) is a symbol for the Ukrainian Carpathians which attracts quite a number of tourists. It's located in Mizhhirya and surrounding landscapes are picturesque and magnificent. One should certainly visit there.

Uzhhorod (Zakarpattia region) is anancient European city with numerous historical and cultural monuments. Being the chief city of

Zakarpattia Uzhhorodis one of the most ancient ones in Ukraine. Here one can undoubtedly find buildings built in different centuries and in different architectural styles.

Greek-Catholic Cathedral of Exaltation of the Holy Cross was created in 1773.

The reconstruction was performed in the style of old classicism with features of neo-baroque. The interior of the Cathedral is in Rococo style. The iconostasis is really impressive (made by Francis Tek in 1799). There are also many works of a famous Ukrainian artist Yosyp Bokshay. His monumental painting "Invention of the Holy Cross" is primarily distinguished (1939).

There is also one of the largest synagogues in Europe built in 1904 in the neo-Moresque style, characteristic of the European construction at the turn of the XIX-XX cc.

Out of the sacral buildings of the city a Roman-Catholic St. George Cathedral stands out, located in the city centre. The first mentioning of this church dates back to 1332. The present day baroque appearance was given to the building in the years 1775-1780. Not far from this Cathedral one can visit the City Art Museum.

The best time to visit Uzhhorod is late April- early May. You can admire a real miracle of nature- Japanese cherry-tree- sakura in blossom in Uzhhorod streets at that time. In that period trees turn wonderful pink.

Khotyn (Chernovtsy Region)is one of the most attractive historical places in Ukraine. The unique combination of a stone cape crowned with a castle, the bank of the Dniester River, colorful landscapes and interesting history attract tourists from different countries.

This city has gone through many wars, victories and defeats,
There a famous stone castle (Khotyn Castle) built by Prince Danylo Halitskyi. It is a wonderful historical site which amazes with its beauty. A lot of historical films have been shot here.

It was rebuilt in the middle of XIII c. as it had been wooden before.
It was destroyed by the Turks and reconstructed many times and even had a minaret till 1832- a witness to the past era. (It was desolated by World War II)

The Village of Univ(Lvov Region) is a place where architectural complex of the defense monastery of Univ - Dormition Lavra - has been preserved. The unique historical monuments of Eastern monasticism,
Univ monastery of Greek Catholic Church is one of the oldest monuments in Ukraine. It remained Orthodox up till 1700, and it united with the whole Lvov Archdiocese.

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