The land, which today is called Volyn region, is a historical place where the most important events, sometimes heavy and tragic, have been taking place for centuries. Such an eventful fate of the region could not but affect the appearance of Volyn, leave a trace in the form of historical and architectural sights, of which there are more than eight hundred.
The history of Volyn region, such as it can be seen now began in the IX century, but for the first time these picturesque lands and fertile lands people loved more than 15 thousand years ago. It is known that in the first millennium A.D. here lived Buzhans, Dulibs and Volynians, who left as evidence of their stay about 60 archaeological monuments — settlements, fortified settlements and burial mounds.
In the X century Volyn became a part of Kievan Rus and for two centuries played the role of a major western center of the state. It is from these times that the most ancient attractions of the Volyn region have survived. In Vladimir-Volynsky, first mentioned in the «Tale of Bygone Years» in 988, the Assumption Cathedral — a white-stone temple of the middle of the XII century, in the village of Zimna — the oldest in the country Svyatogorsky Assumption Monastery 1001, once the residence of Prince Vladimir himself, and many other sights of the era of ancient Kievan Rus’ have survived to our time.
At the end of XII century Volyn became a part of Galicia-Volyn principality, and Vladimir-Volynsky became the capital of the newly formed principality, which existed until the end of XV century. It is almost impossible to enumerate all the architectural sights that have survived from that time — these are numerous castles and fortifications, as the principality waged constant wars with nomads, and within it there was a constant rivalry of Lithuanian, Polish and Hungarian feudal lords. The most famous of the Volyn castles was Prince Lubart’s Castle in Lutsk from the 14th century, which has been perfectly preserved to this day. In addition to amazingly beautiful and fairy-tale castles, there are also many religious buildings, such as St. George’s Church of 1264 in Luboml, St. Nicholas Monastery of the XIII century in the village of Zhidichyn and many other temples, churches and monasteries.
Architectural landscapes of the former capital of the principality of Vladimir-Volynsky, as well as the current center of Volyn Lutsk — are ancient streets, many castles, manors, churches and other attractions. These cities are considered to be the most important in Volyn region in terms of the surviving architectural heritage. The Vasilyevskaya Rotunda Church in Vladimir-Volynsky, preserved from the XII-XIII centuries, has no analogues in the world architecture, it is an original monument of ancient Volyn architecture, and the Svyatogorsk Dormition Monastery includes the Trinity Church of the middle of the XV century and the Dormition Church of the end of the XV century.
The architectural ensemble of Lutsk has survived to our time from the XIV-XVIII centuries. In 1985 the historical and cultural reserve «Old Lutsk» was established in the city.
Since the end of the XVIII century Volyn region was part of the Russian Empire, in 1920 it again passed to Poland, then annexed to the Ukrainian SSR in 1939. During the Second World War, a real interethnic war broke out in Volyn, which had been international throughout its history, and historians called it the «Volyn Massacre». Numerous monuments to the victims in many cities of the region remind of these tragic events.
The modern Volyn region was formed only in 1939, and its administrative center was the city of Lutsk — one of the oldest Ukrainian cities.
Today Volyn region attracts tourists not only with its numerous architectural beauties. Many come here to admire the extraordinary beauties of the local nature — Shatsk National Nature Park is one of the most famous in Ukraine, its treasure — the deepest lake in the country Svityaz is known far beyond the region, and the amazing Okon springs, also called «Volyn miracle», are annually visited by thousands of tourists from other countries.
In the west of the region along the border with Poland flows the river Western Bug, and in the northern part — Pripyat. Both of them are famous for their picturesque landscapes, as well as many other rivers of more than 130 rivers. This beautiful land is famous for its diverse landscape with 24 objects of nature protection fund of national importance, numerous forests, mineral water sources, deposits of therapeutic peat mud, as well as many species of fauna and flora, which are included in the Red Book of Ukraine — all this favorably affects the development of recreation and tourism, making Volyn region a favorite destination for many thousands of tourists.