Kovel

Kovel sits on both banks of the Turija River and serves as a transportation hub in northwestern Ukraine. The city is connected by six railway lines that link major regions, making it an important junction for travelers and freight.

The city received town status from Polish King Sigismund I in 1518, with its name rooted in a Slavic word meaning blacksmith. This royal grant established the foundation for its growth as a trading center.

The Great Synagogue, built between 1886 and 1907, reflects the significant Jewish community that shaped the city's cultural life. Walking through the streets around this building gives you a sense of the diverse heritage that defined the place.

Winters are cold with temperatures dropping to around minus 5°C (23°F) in January, while summers are warm with highs near 26°C (79°F) in July, and the city receives moderate rainfall throughout the year. The city center is compact and best explored on foot, making it easy to navigate.

The railway station was once a key junction on the Warsaw-Kovel route, with trains offering multiple passenger classes for long-distance travel. Today the railway infrastructure recalls this period of busy connections between nations.