Olyka, Rural settlement in Kivertsi Raion, Ukraine.
Olyka is an urban-type settlement in Kivertsi Raion, in the Volyn Oblast of northwestern Ukraine, situated along the Putylivka River. The town has residential streets, several religious buildings from different periods, and a castle that dates to the late 16th century.
Olyka appears in written records as early as 1149, in the Hypatian Chronicle, when it was part of the medieval Rus lands. Over the following centuries it passed through Lithuanian and then Polish-Lithuanian rule before coming under the Russian Empire in the late 18th century.
The Catholic collegiate church and the Orthodox churches stand close to each other, showing how different faiths shared this small town for generations. Walking through the streets, you can see how each community left a visible mark on the architecture.
Olyka is a small town with basic services, so it helps to plan ahead if you need supplies or food. The main points of interest are close together, making it easy to get around on foot.
The Olyka castle was once a main residence of the Radziwill family, one of the most powerful noble families in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Despite its current state of decay, the outline of the original layout is still clearly visible.
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