Rivne. Ukrainian Switzerland

by Natalia Rudnichenko
©PANORAMA

The Rivne region has given us the famous “Peresopnytske Gospel” of the 16th century, on which the Ukrainian presidential oath is now sworn, in Ostrog the first Eastern Slavik academy, the first Ukrainian primer and at 106 km long – Europe’s longest active light-rail. Today in this region with an area of 20.1 square metres there are more that 1122 historical and architectural monuments, 227 nature-reserve fund objects and territories, 91 wildlife preserves – and so much more!

It was love at first sight! When I traveled around the Rivne region for the first time, I realized that I should have visited this beauty earlier! Luxurious forests, crystal clear lakes, grand historic monuments – all this flows into one smooth ensemble in the Rivne region. I was particularly impressed by the forests, which are kept in ideal condition here! The region’s leaders do their best to give tourists an opportunity to enjoy the natural and historic treasures of the Rivne region. So I invite you on an interesting journey, during which you will find yourself in the epoch of proud princes and Cossacks, go on a wagon-ride “safari” and swim in a lake teeming with fish from Paris! In addition, here you will have a chance to buy local amber decorations, try tasty traditional mushroom soup and find yourself in … Ukrainian Switzerland.

Amber City

The capital of the region, the old city of Rivne, is located on the Ustia river. Ancient chronicles date its first mention back to1282. In the 14th century Rivne became an important trade city and then obtained “Magdeburg Rights” (an autonomous administration form of government first began in Magdeburg). You can learn the history of the city and region at the Rivne Regional Museum of Local Art, Architecture and Lore (19 Drahomanova Str., tel.: +380 362 26-75-80). This museum also has a unique collection of Volyn icons from the 13th-18th centuries.

The wooden mid-18th century Assumption Church, and also the Holy Resurrection and Holy Assumption Cathedrals – some of Western Ukraine’s biggest – are impressive in their grandeur. After an excursion through the city take a walk in Taras Shevchenko Park. This luxurious monument of horticultural art, covering about 30 hectares, is a favorite place for locals to relax.

You can find sophisticated presents in Rivne like amber adornments and decorations combined with silver and gold from the “Burshtyn” (Amber) jewelry factory (www.amber.utel.net.ua). The local light yellow and green amber is famous beyond the borders of this region. It was even used as fragments in the renovation of the famous “Amber Room” in Russia. This factory has its own amber museum, and in its retail location (94 Kyivska Str., tel: +380 362 62-06-45) you can buy exclusive amber necklaces, bracelets, boxes or pictures.

The Golden Ring

Every district in the Rivne region is a treasury of history and tradition. For instance, Prince Igor’s oak tree (Ukraine’s oldest) grows here, dated at more than 1300 years old!

However, the region’s tourist highlight is considered to be the Golden Ring of Polissia: Korets-Ostrog-Dubno. Korets, more than 850-year-old, is called “Volyn Mecca” due to its great number of churches. From 1612-1619 philologist Laurenty Zyzan, author of the Slavonic “church grammar” (book of church standards) lived here. Among the local historic monuments are the 14th century Koretskyi castle and St. Trinity women’s cloister. It is interesting that since the time of its foundation (1620) it never ceased to exist under any authority.

Dubno is one of Ukraine’s oldest cities, a fortress-city during the late middle ages. The highlights of the State Historic and Cultural Reserve (7a Zamkova str., tel: +380 3656 424-01) are a castle dating back to the 16th century, The Holy Transfiguration Cathedral from the 17th century and the Lutsk Gates from the 15th – 16th centuries, which was the foundation of the city’s stronghold.

A contemporary of Dubno, Ostrog is proudly called “Volyn Athens”. In the 14th – 15th centuries this city was Ukraine’s scientific and cultural centre. In 1576 Europe’s first Slavonic-Greek-Latin academy was established and it was considered very prestigious to study here. In Ostrog in 1581 the first Greek-Slavonic “Primer” and Slavonic “Ostrog Gospel” were printed. In modern Ostrog you should also visit the State Historic and Cultural Reserve (5 Akademichna Str., tel: +380 3654 226-56). It includes an historical museum, museum of books and printing and an amasing numismatic exhibition.

Visit to Nature

After traipsing through old cities it is high time to enjoy nature. In Dubrovytskyi forestry (tel: +380 3658 211-43) I rode horses then the foresters arranged an interesting ecologic excursion and demonstrated how they plant future forests in conservatories.

I really had fun on the old-fashioned wagon ride through Kostiantynivske forestry (tel.: +380 3655 336-81). You traverse through the forest in hay-filled wagons while young deer and wild boars watch you.

Then I went to… Switzerland. However, I did not need a foreign passport or visa, because it is the Regional Park “Nadsluchanska Switzerland”. Here the landscapes are incredible, crystal- clear lakes are magnificent, the woods are clean and beautiful and a special environment has been designed for walking tours. Further in Bereznivskyi park I tried to count at least some of the 900 types of species and trees from every continent in the world walking down the 7 km long exploration trail for tourists. I was also impressed with the gastroenterological “Chervona Kalyna” sanatorium (the village of Zhobryn in the Rivne region, tel: +380 3655 413-60). It is located in a pine forest on the banks of a lake, and the local mineral waters are used in treatments.

Nobel Prize

In the Rivne region you can easily become… a Nobel Prize winner, just swim in Nobel Lake! Local residents do not feel any connection with the founder of that famous award, but you can enjoy prize-winning jokes at their annual humor festival.

There are a lot of lakes in the Rivne region and my favorite was Bilye (White) Lake near the village of Rudky in the Volodymyretskyi district. Its waters are rich in glycerin and crystal-clear 2 m. deep! According to scientists, eels from Paris’ Seine River come to this clean lake. I heard this interesting story on the bank of this wonderful pond while enjoying a tasty dinner hosted by the Rivne region’s hospitable masters. “How pleasant to relax in the Rivne region” – I thought. – “I will surely return here!”

The editorial staff extends their thanks for this trip through the region to the Rivne Regional Administration, National Tourism Organisation and TAS Insurance Group.

Information for tourists

Rivne Regional Administration: www.rv.gov.ua
Rivne Regional State Administration Tourism and Resort Department: +3803062 695-479
Regional Forestry Administration: +380 362 26-88-62
To book excursions:
“Intourist – Rivne”, 32 Mitskevycha Str., tel/fax: +380 362 26-35-10, e-mail: lyuda.rivne@mail.ru

Places to Stay and Relax

“Tourist” Hotel
Modern three-star hotel with suites, junior suites and apartments. To better serve tourists of all types there is a conference hall and fitness centre. The restaurant and bar serve both tasty Italian and Ukrainian cuisine.
Address: 36 Kyivska Str., Rivne. Tel: +380 362 26-18-96; e-mail: rtst@tourist.rovno.ua

“Khutir“ Bowling Club
Modern entertainment centre in the suburbs of Rivne with bowling, bar, hotel and Ukrainian style restaurant.
Address: 11/1 Dubenska Str., Velyka Omeliana village, Rivne region. Tel: +380 3622 61-76-58.

“Vilia” Hotel
It is the best tourist hotel in the centre of the city “Zatyshok” hotel restaurant invites to have a tasty supper.
Address: 5 Nezalezhnosti Av., Ostrog. Tel: +380 3654 230-52.

“Gostynnyi Dvir” Bar
“Gostynnyi Dvir”, located on the road to Dubno, is a wonderful place to relax. Here you can relax and try homemade tasty dishes from the local cuisine.
Address: Pryvilne village, Dubnenskyi region. Tel: +380 3656 541-34.

Getting There

Ukraine International Airlines offers direct daily flights to Kyiv from most of Western Europe’s largest cities. With your Panorama Club Card you can accumulate miles on all UIA flights and flights of our partner airlines: Air France (excluding the Kyiv-Paris route), Austrian Airlines, KLM, Swiss International Air Lines and TAP Portugal.

Buy tickets online at www.flyUIA.com. For more information, call us in Kyiv at (+380 44) 581-5050.

KyivStar or UMC cellular service subscribers can dial 566.

From Kyiv take one of the daily trains or buses to Rivne.