Mountains, temples and history: what to see in Opillia

Opillia is a geographic area of the Podolian Upland in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil regions in western Ukraine. It's time to discover new horizons. Places where tourists rarely set foot will be a great choice for an autumn weekend. Sights, buildings, temples, natural centers. Today we are talking about little-known attractions in Opillia that impress with history and authenticity.

Bilshivtsi

A village in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. It was first mentioned in 1402. In the eighteenth century, the local lands belonged to the Yablonovsky princes, and later passed into the hands of the wealthy Armenian family of the Kshechunovychy.

We advise you to start your trip from the former estate of the grandfather Kornel. It was built in the 1927-1929s. Previously, there was a large front gate that became a servant's quarters. Later, a confectionery shop operated here.

When the Bolsheviks came to power, the owner was arrested and his family was expelled from the estate. A hospital was set up in the palace. Today it is an ambulance station. Be sure to take a walk along the park alleys.

Then visit the local synagogue. Once a house of culture, it is now the People's House. Here tourists can see elements of Jewish symbolism.

Also, go to the Church of the Nativity. It was designed by the prominent architect Vasyl Nahirnyi. At one time, more than 200 churches were built according to his drawings. During the First World War, the shrine was heavily damaged. By the way, the church was built without a foundation, simply from brickwork. Various exhibits are kept here, which were taken from the Hnyla Lypa River. In particular, a wooden prison door, a part of a concrete cross, Eucharistic utensils, etc.

Opposite the Park of Memory, where the remains of the NKVD victims are buried, you can see a monumental baroque Carmelite church. It is said that the building stands on a hill that the locals built themselves. Inside the sanctuary you can see the photos of the restoration work.

There is also an old hotel in Bilshivtsi that has a dramatic story to it. According to a legend, parents of a couple in love forbade them to marry. Some time later, they poisoned themselves with carbon monoxide.

Pukiv

A village in the Rohatyn urban community of the Ivano-Frankivsk region. The memorial tablet to the political activist Roman Shukhevych is located here. It was installed in 2007. Previously, the underground headquarters was located here. In the 1945-1946s, the commander of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army often came here.

Here tourists can see a banner with a plan of the hideout. By the way, it was the only one that no one managed to disclose. In 1954, the entrance to the hideout was covered with dust.

We recommend visiting the People's House. It used to be a tavern, which later burned down. There is a tradition here to bake ceremonial wedding bread. The process is accompanied by rituals and songs.

We also recommend going to Lopushnia. There is a Turkish cemetery here. During the First World War, soldiers and Sich Riflemen fought against the Russian Empire. By the way, some archaeological research suggests that there was once a settlement here.

Be sure to climb Devil's Mountain, which is 370 meters above sea level. In 1975, the attraction received the status of a nature conservation monument. There is a legend that evil creatures were angry with the inhabitants of Rohatyn and wanted to cover the city with soil. However, with the onset of dawn, the devils lost their power. Therefore, their plan failed.

By the way, there are plants here that are included in the Red Book of Ukraine. For example, pheasant's eye, needle grass, dropwort, and lesser butterfly-orchid.

Chesnyky

A village in Ivano-Frankivsk region. It was first mentioned in 1368. Archaeological excavations indicate that people lived here as early as the first and third centuries.

We advise you to visit the local defensive-type temple. Over the years, it has been renamed several times: Saints Nicholas, Michael, and Ascension. Keep in mind that the interior is not as majestic as the exterior. In Soviet times, the head of the collective farm wanted to restore it. At that time, scaffolding was installed in the shrine. Unfortunately, a criminal case was opened against the man, so the work was suspended.

When you enter the chapel, pay attention to the remains of the iconostasis near the royal gate. It depicts the Archangel Michael with a scale. It is said that the angel was looking for pure souls and weighed their deeds.

Travel to unexplored locations! Opillya is waiting for you!

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