Shevchenkivskyi Hai, Open-air folk museum in Lviv, Ukraine
Shevchenkivskyi Hai is an open-air museum set on forested land in Lviv that displays more than 100 wooden buildings from different regions of Western Ukraine. The structures are arranged as traditional homesteads, offering insight into how rural communities once lived.
The museum opened in 1971, beginning with a wooden church from the 18th century relocated from a village. The collection grew through rescue efforts to preserve rural architecture threatened by time and modernization.
The buildings showcase handcrafted details from different regions of Western Ukraine, from roof construction methods to window decorations and carved patterns. You can observe how construction techniques and styles varied across villages.
The site is accessible on most days and suits leisurely walks through forest paths connecting the buildings. Sturdy footwear is helpful, and it's best to allow time for slow exploration.
The museum holds seven wooden churches, representing one of the largest collections of religious wooden architecture in a single location. These churches come from different regions and display varying regional building styles and religious traditions.
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