Pidhirtsi Castle, Renaissance fortress in Pidhirtsi, Ukraine
Pidhirtsi Castle is a Renaissance fortress near Pidhirtsi, Ukraine, featuring a square layout with three floors surrounded by a deep moat and fortified walls of brick and stone. The structure combines residential and defensive functions, with separate wings for official guests and the ruler's private quarters.
Crown Hetman Stanisław Koniecpolski commissioned architects Guillaume Le Vasseur de Beauplan and Andrea dell'Aqua to construct this fortress between 1635 and 1640. Its design emerged during a period of intense border conflicts and military precautions in Eastern Europe.
The castle's rooms were named after their decorative style, such as the Green Room, the Crimson Room, and the Mirror Room, each housing art pieces and military artifacts. These names show how the former residents thought about their spaces through visual impression and personal taste.
The fortress sits on the Woroniaki hills at 399 meters above sea level and is accessible by foot from the surrounding valley. From this elevation, visitors gain clear views across the Styr River valley, making it easy to understand the landscape around it.
The castle was originally decorated with elaborate furnishings and ornamental details that reflected the builder's family heritage and sophisticated European influences. Some of these embellishments survive today and reveal the wealth and cosmopolitan taste of the hetman.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
