Lutsk

Agrandir le plan

Shortened history of the castle:

According to historical chronicles, there were two castles in medieval Lutsk. Unfortunately, the second one, the Okolnyi Castle, was completely destroyed in the 14th century.

The 28 meter-high Entrance Tower of Lutsk Castle was where the idea of a united Europe was voiced for the first time, as incredible as it may seem. And it happened in 1429: European monarchs from 15 states were invited to Lutsk. The Holy Roman (and German) Emperor Sigismund, Danish King Eric IV, Polish monarch Władysław II Jagiełło, the Grand Masters of the Teutonic and Livonian orders, a legate of Pope Martin V, Vasili II, Grand Prince of Moscow, an ambassador of the Byzantine Emperor Palaeologus and other high and mighty leaders responded to this invitation. In total more than 15,000 guests came, while the population of Lutsk itself was only about 5,000 residents! A series of very important questions were raised at this “summit”, such as forming a coalition against the growing power of the Ottoman Empire (groundwork of the modern European Union!) or even equal rights for Catholic and Orthodox churches.

Imagine the cost to organize such a summit: records show that seven hundred barrels of beer and honey drinks were consumed daily! It seems that in the Middle Ages the term ‘diet’ was completely unknown.

And a last anecdote: it is the only castle in Ukraine seen by nearly every Ukrainian, thanks to the fact that they hold its picture in their hand with every 200 hryvnas bill.

Opening times and additionnal information:

The castle is open daily from 10am to 7pm.

Entrance ticket:
- adults 4 hryvnas
- children and students 2 hryvnas