As a witness of historical events Zolochevsky Castle is one of the most important cultural monuments of defensive architecture and the territory of Galician land ... 
Zolochevsky Castle is a castle on a small hill in the valley of two rivers, Zolochevsky castle at one time served as both defense and for housing. In 1634-1636 after the design of an unknown architect built his James Sobieski, the father of John Sobieski - King of Poland. In 1686 by order of King Jan III Sobieski castle has been renovated and decorated with works of art. Entrance Tower, Chinese palace, a large residential palace ensemble create beautiful Renaissance castle. 
In the second half of XVII century the castle was repeatedly subjected Zolochevsky Cossack, Tatar, Turkish attacks and sieges. From the rich heritage of the castle in 1801 left a bit serious loss and damage sustained in the twentieth century: the castle changed owners several times until it became the property of the state. For centuries the castle was Zolochevsky and fortress and royal residence, and the manor, and even jails and educational institutions. 
However, the structure of the castle, which was formed during the XVII century, with substantial losses until today. In the courtyard of the castle is the Grand Palace, where the exposition of the seventeenth century interiors and halls of history. Perfectly preserved eighteenth century fad - the Chinese Palace is one of the few examples of architecture in the eastern Ukrainian lands. Now it is the exhibition of oriental culture (art of Japan, China, India, Egypt). 
  
  
In this writing we used information from the book "Castles and Fortresses" (2007r.m.Kyyiv, "Art").

Zolochevsky Castle

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One hour driving by car from Lviv and here we are: Pidhirtsi is a little village which is very famous for its castle. The building itself was left in a horrible state – after centuries of functioning as a residence (built in 1635-1640) of the elite and royal families and then operating as a museum, the Pidhirtsi Castle became a sanatorium for those who suffer from tuberculosis during the rule of Soviet Union in Ukraine.
The building was refurbished inside to meet the needs of hospital and now it is being remade to become a museum again and open its doors for tourists. Nowadays, one can wander around the castle and observe one of the most beautiful chapels standing in front of it.
But there is yet one more interesting fact about the palace for it is believed that it is haunted. The story says that Waclaw Rzewusky, who was dwelling in the castle during 1720-1779, has buried his young wife alive behind in one of the walls in the palace (the murder was caused by jealousy).
There are many who witnessed the Woman in White (as she is called), among them the participants of the Ukrainian Psychic Challange (the programme was shot half a year ago). They stated to come in contact with a young lady with few of them showing exactly the same place of her murder. The story is yet to be investigated, the cast of the Ghost Hunters International is currently examining the presence of the ghost.
http://travel.exploreukrainemagazine.com

Pidhirtsi Castle

Olesko Castle is located within the borders of the present-day Busk Raion in Ukraine. The first historical records of the castle are in a document dated 1327, when Pope Boniface IX gave Halych, a Catholic bishop, this castle as a gift. It is located about seventy-five kilometers from Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine.
Olesko Castle, oval in shape, stands on top of a small hill, about fifty meters in height. A moat and a wall surrounds it, which serves as a defence for the castle. The castle is also surrounded by a dense swamp. The land that the castle sat on changed ownership many times. It was originally on the border of land of Volhynia and land of Lviv.
The castle was, at different times, owned by Poland, Lithuania, and Hungary. It became a political landmark in the 14th century when movable borders between the three aforementioned countries ran through its territory. Battles for ownership of the castle were constant. A deep well in the basement of the castle was used as an escape route for besieged prisoners.
In the 15th century, the castle was changed from being a defense point, to simply a getaway for aristocracy.
In 1605, the castle was bought by the nobleman Jan Daniłowicz h. Sas, a wealthy local landowner and Voivode of the Ruthenian Voivodeship. It was then sold to the family of Koniecpolski. The new owners, whose main residence was in Zhovkva, treated the castle poorly, and only in 1682 the castle was renovated by Jan III Sobieski, who bought the complex from Stanislaw Koniecpolski for 400 000 zlotys. In early 18th century, Olesko was bought by the family of Rzewuski, and its collection of antiques was moved to another castle the Rzewuscy owned, Pidhirtsi Castle.
The castle is perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of the Polish king Jan III Sobieski, the hero of the Battle of Vienna. He often lived there, and collected many of the artworks displayed in the present-day museum. Another Polish king, King Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki, was also born here. It is also said that Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, the most prominent leaders of Ukrainian Cossacks spent his childhood years here.\
The castle was restored in the late 16th to the early 17th centuries. Paintings and mosaics were brought in to decorate the different rooms of the castle. The castle was remodeled in the Italian Renaissance style, which was popular at that time.
In 1838, an earthquake rocked the castle, partly destroying some areas. In 1882, the castle, regarded as a Polish national monument was bought by the Committee of Preservation of the Olesko Castle, which led to a restoration in 1892. Both World War I and World War II affected the castle negatively, undoing previous restoration work. In 1956, the castle was struck by lightning.
The castle was restored again, beginning in 1961 and lasting until 1985. Today, it is a museum, displaying the collections of antique furnishings and art dating from the 16th-17th centuries. It also features sculptures, paintings, still lives, applied arts, tapestries, period weapons, and objects used in everyday life at the time. Its collection is regarded as one of the richest treasury of Polish art outside borders of Poland.
The castle is a part of the "Golden Horseshoe", a ring of three castles nearby each other: Olesko, Pidhirtsi, and Zolochiv Castles.

Olesko Castle


The stone castle was built over the river in Golden Oak XVI century. Podillia Jan from Siena, Replace Old Russian wooden fortress, after the conquest of Casimir the Great of Galicia was rebuilt in 1340-1350 pp. a local host Nicholas pig. 
  
In 1619-1620 pp. surrounding land bought by Jakub Sobieski. It greatly strengthened Pomoryansky strength, equipped arsenal of guns and gun powder laid warehouses and barracks. To get to the stone castle could only be on the north side, having passed through the drawbridge across a wide ditch filled with water. On all other sides Pomoryansky castle surrounded by marshy channel and floodplain rivers Golden Oak. With these first-class natural and artificial a defense Tatars during raids in Galicia could not take it no attack or siege and largely passed it by. 
The heyday of the castle and the town is connected with the name of the Polish king Jan III Sobieski, who rebuilt much strength, turning on pokorolivskomu magnificent palace surrounded by landscape park. Around town ditches were deepened and re-poured walls with palisade. In those days the castle withstood a Turkish siege not. However, the second campaign the Turks in Lviv in 1675 the garrison of the castle, significantly thinned during the first invasion, lacking sufficient power and resources to defense, had a secret passage in the night to evacuate and leave the castle to its fate. Devastated Castle Turks Pomoryansky Jan Sobieski soon rebuilt, and baked in ashes town invaded town again. However, in 1684 Pomoryansky fortress again was completely burned by the Tatars. But Jan Sobieski drew not his hands as soon as he identified the next pogrom of koorolivskoyi Treasury 20 000 zlotys a new reconstruction of the city and castle fortifications, temples and residential development Pomoryanah. Through these energetic measures Pomoryansky lock honorably withstood the follow Tatar invasions in 1687 and 1695 years. 
In the XVIII century. castle collapsed because the new owners Radziwill paid him little attention. Devastating blow inflicted by a fire in 1771 the castle p. and the decision of the Austrian government to dismantle fortification construction materials. Renaissance were in XIX century., When the castle became the property of Erasmus Prushynskyi and his son Josef. Joseph Prushynskyi gathered within the walls of the palace Pomoryansky priceless collection of oil paintings of famous artists of the world most famous (including Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci), gallery prints of the Commonwealth, a collection of medals and coins, stamps Polish kings and princes, Polish kings autographs, icons , dishes, etc. mozayikt. However, after the death of an art collector priceless treasures Pomoryansky castle went to the world of auctions. 
In 1876 Pomoryansky castle became the property of Roman Potocki. His son Jerzy took care of the castle until 1939 p., Repairing it after the destruction of the First World War. Earl lived here with his family almost to the beginning of World War II. In Soviet times, the castle was used during district committee, executive committee and technical colleges. And since 1970 pp. This monumental building is in poor condition. 
Now Pomoryansky lock XVI - XVII centuries. consists of a palace complex, the front yard of the castle and fragments mighty defensive walls of the corner towers. The Royal Palace is a monumental two-story building with a once magnificent façade, which still makes a big impression on visitors. Also survived corner tower and castle defense wall area.