Church of the Protection of the Theotokos, Sutkivci, Medieval church fortress in Sutkivci, Ukraine
Church of the Protection of the Theotokos is a medieval church building in Ukraine designed as a fortified structure. The walls are approximately 1.5 meters thick and feature arrow slits beneath the roof for defensive purposes, with the building constructed from stone.
The structure was erected in 1467 as a defensive installation and initially served communities in need of protection. During a redesign in 1476, a two-tier wooden bell tower was added and Gothic architectural elements were integrated.
The interior walls on the ground floor display 16th-century frescoes depicting religious scenes. A stone tombstone of a family member serves as a reminder of the local nobility and their connection to this location.
The building sits on steep slopes near the Ushytsia River, about 7 kilometers from main transportation routes. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear and allow adequate time to explore the grounds and surrounding views.
This building represents the only surviving tetraconchal fortified church in the world, combining two opposite functions in one structure. This unusual merger of prayer space and fortified tower is unparalleled in medieval church architecture.
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