Traveling to Ivan Franko's favorite places

Are you ready to plunge into the past and go hiking along Ivan Franko's trails? Today we are going to tell you about the locations that inspired the famous poet. Here, masterpieces were created, the future of Ukrainian literature was shaped, and the life of the publicist was in full swing. Read below to find out where to start your journey.

Nahuyevychi

A village in the Drohobych district of Lviv region. The location where the novelist was born and spent his childhood. Later, he often came here with his family on vacation.

We recommend visiting the Literary Memorial Museum. It was opened in 1981. It houses exhibits from the life of Franko's family: a baby cradle, a mirror, and a bowl. You can also take a stroll through the forest alley, which is located nearby. There are wooden sculptures, the Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, and the Summer Theater.

You can also visit the estate of the writer's parents.

Drohobych

A town in the Drohobych district of Lviv region. It is considered the poet's small hometown. Ivan studied at the main school at the Holy Trinity Church, and then at the Franz Josef Higher Gymnasium. We recommend going to the wooden church of St. George from the late XV - early XVI centuries. Franko described it as a real relic.

Boryslav

The town is located in the south of the central part of Drohobych district on the Tysmenytsia River. The writer mentions the town in his world-famous novel Boryslav Laughs. In the work, he describes the difficult fate of the mine workers.

Be sure to visit the historical and local history museum. There are several "rooms" here. In the room, tourists will see paintings by famous artists. In particular, by teacher Mykola Mohylat and Honored Artist of Ukraine Iryna Hresyk. In the natural history room, travelers will learn about the flora and fauna of the region. The historical hall features mammoth remains, tools and household items.

Urych

A village in the Stryi district of Lviv region. Ivan Franko made his first trip when he was a high school student in 1869. Together with his classmates and teacher Ivan Verkhratsky, he went on a scientific expedition. The researchers set out to collect a collection of mountain beetles.

At the time, the poet had an eye disease. Every morning he would go to a local spring and wash his face. The novelist believed that the ritual would help him cope with the disease.

Skhidnytsia

A village in Drohobych district, Lviv region. It is famous for its healing mineral waters.

The Skhidnytsia Castle, which has served as a defensive structure for centuries, became the prototype of the fortress in Kamenyar's story "Tatar Attacks on Pidhiria".

By the way, the writer often came here to rest.

Vovkiv

A village in the Lviv region. It was first mentioned in 1398.

In 1887, the novelist was invited here by his good friend, Czech ethnographer František Rzegorz. It was here, among the picturesque nature, that Kamenyar rested, fished, and drew inspiration for his work.

Ivan's wife, Olha Franko, spent almost the entire summer in Vovkiv. Their eldest son Andrii was born here.

We recommend visiting the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. The shrine was built in 1924-1930 in the Art Deco style by architect Bronislav Viktor.

By the way, in Soviet times it served as a mineral fertilizer warehouse. Later, the church became the location for the filming of the first Ukrainian detective story, A Crime with Many Unknowns. The mini-series was based on Ivan Franko's philosophical work The Foundations of Society.

Pidhirki

A district of the city of Kalush. It was first mentioned in 1408. In 1903, the writer and his brother Onufriy sold their farm in Nahuyevychi.

After that, they moved to a more spacious estate in Pidhirki, where they used to spend their summer vacations as children. The stonemason and his sons and daughter loved to relax by the Limnytsia River and spend the night in the barn.

We recommend visiting the local house museum. It was initiated by his granddaughter Oksana. Here tourists will learn about the life and work of Franko, see his photos and family tree.

By the way, the publicist's brother is buried here.

Kryvorivnia

A village in the Verkhovyna district of Ivano-Frankivsk region. In the early 1900s, the attraction was considered the most popular place for intellectuals to spend their leisure time.

In 1906, the poet rented a house here from the carver Vasyl Yakibiuk. The hut was located on the slopes of Mount Ihrets.

The novelist often liked to bring dried mushrooms, jam, honey, and traditional sheep's milk cheeses, such as budz and brynza, from here.

Don't miss the chance to touch history and feel part of the great literary heritage!

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