A small town in western Ukraine with a 17th-century castle built as a defensive fortress. The town's market square dates back to medieval times.
In Zolochiv, 60 kilometers east of Lviv, you'll find a 17th-century castle with Italian-style gardens, walk past the golden domes of the Church of the Resurrection, and discover the melodies of the "Zolochiv Nigun" - a traditional Jewish tune that originated in this town. The streets of this small Ukrainian town tell stories through its architecture, from medieval fortifications to baroque churches.
Getting to Zolochiv
You can reach Zolochiv from Lviv by taking Highway H02 (a 1-hour drive) or catching a train on the Krasne-Ternopil railway line. The town's location at the intersection of major western Ukrainian routes makes it convenient for travelers exploring the region.
Religious Buildings
Walk through the town center to see the Church of the Resurrection, where the original 1604 stone walls and baroque altar remain intact. The golden-domed St. Nicholas Church, dating from the late 16th century, received its current appearance during a 1767 renovation that added its distinctive bell tower. You can also visit the Church of the Assumption and the Monastery of the Order of Saint Basil the Great, each representing different periods of Ukrainian religious architecture.
Zolochiv Castle
This early 17th-century fortress sits on a hill overlooking the town center. The castle's thick defensive walls and deep moat, added during the 1634-1636 reconstruction, helped it withstand a Turkish siege in 1672. Inside, you'll find two palaces: the Grand Palace with its residential chambers and the Chinese Palace, decorated with oriental motifs. The surrounding gardens follow Italian Renaissance design principles.
Jewish Culture
From the 15th century until 1941, Zolochiv had a significant Jewish population that grew to 9,000 people. Rabbi Yehiel-Mikhl Zloczower (1721-1786) created the "Zolochiv Nigun," a wordless melody still performed in Jewish musical traditions. His five sons became influential rabbis throughout Galician communities. Today, you can visit the site of the former synagogue and the memorial to the Jewish community, where only about ninety people survived the Nazi genocide.
Modern Memorials
Since 2014, an alley in front of the District Council building honors the Heavenly Hundred who died during the Revolution of Dignity. In 2015, the city council renamed Tchaikovsky Street to Heavenly Hundred Heroes Street, reflecting contemporary Ukrainian identity in the urban landscape.
