Zbarazh

Zbarazh is a town built along the Hnizna River with a walled fortress complex at its center surrounded by residential neighborhoods. The site contains stone defensive structures, a monastery building, and several churches that define the town's layout.

The settlement began in 1211 as a fortified location within a medieval principality and later became a strategic position dividing Polish and Ukrainian territories. This cross-border situation made it a flashpoint for conflict and change across the centuries.

The city takes its name from the family that established it and remains a place where stone buildings from past centuries sit alongside modern homes. Religious and defensive structures shape how residents and visitors move through and understand the town's character.

Visitors can walk around the fortress grounds and monastery buildings on foot without major obstacles or steep terrain. The driest months make for easier exploration, as paths and steps are in better condition for walking.

The fortress was repeatedly attacked over the centuries, especially by Crimean Tatar forces who launched raids from the south. These sieges left marks on the stonework and influenced how the defensive structures were rebuilt and reinforced.