Lutsk

Understand

Lutsk is one of the most ancient cities of Ukraine. The original settlement was built around 1000 CE at a bend of the river Styr, on an island formed by the Styr and its tributaries. Today that area is the State Historical and Cultural Preserve, “The Old Lutsk”. Lutsk quickly became an important city of the Kievan Rus kingdom and toward the end of the 10th century was in the center of the intense fight between the heirs of Yaroslav the Wise. By the 12th century Lutsk had mighty wooden fortifications; it withstood a six-week siege in 1150 by the prince of Moscow and one by the Mongols in 1259, though it was forced to surrender in 1267. In the late 14th century, Lyubart, son of the grand Lithuanian duke, was married to the local princess and became a real protector of Volyn. Under his rule, Lutsk Castle was the seat of administrative, court and religious bodies that governed Volyn. He also rebuilt the fortifications, replacing wooden construction with brick.

After Lyubart’s death Lutsk remained the residence of Lithuanian and Russian princes, and in 1429 it hosted a meeting of European monarchs including the Lithuanian prince, Polish king and the emperor of Luxembourg. In the 15th century, the townsfolk were granted Magdeburg rights, elective bodies of self-government. By the 16th century Lutsk castle lost its significance for defense, but the city remained important. Because of a great number of religious buildings contemporaries called it the “Rome of Volyn” and Polish poet Sebastian Klionovic wrote: “Who could pass Lutsk by? The city is worth a song.” After the Lublin Union in 1569 Volyn integrated into the Kingdom of Poland; the city gradually became more and more Polish despite legal guarantees given by Ruthenian nobles and clergy. From the late 17th through most of the 18th century Lutsk slowly decayed; there were devastating fires, floods, and epidemics and the cultural and religious Ukrainian life in the city was gradually stifled. In 1795, after the third division of Poland, the region and its capital became part of the Russian Empire. The 19th century didn’t bring a revival of the economic and social life of the city. Only after the building of the South-Eastern railroad branch in the 1890s did Lutsk's economic rise begin. At that time (1895) the population of Lutsk was 15125 people. During World War I Lutsk became a battlefield. After the February Revolution in 1917 the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag was hoisted above the city for the first time. However in 1919 Lutsk was occupied by the Polish army and it became part of Poland again until autu

Getting there

By train 1 Lutsk Train Station, Pl. Pryvokzalna (Привокзальна пл.,) 1 (a little south of the bus station, and also northeast of the centre; Trolleybuses 4 and 7 and many marshrutky shuttle between here and Maydan Teatralny square), ☏ +380 332 797257. Suburban rail (elektrychka) from Lviv (daily, 10 грн, 6 hr) arriving in Lutsk around midnight. Trains to Kyiv (60 грн, 7 to 9½ hr, 2 per day).

By bus

2 Lutsk Bus Station №1. (автостанция №1. Луцк), Koniakyna Ulitsa (ул. Конякина, 39), 39 (2 km NE of the centre, right next to a market; trolleybuses 5, 8 and 9, plus numerous marshrutky link it to central, Maydan Teatralny square. Once at the bus or train station it can be extremely confusing to find your way to a bus taking you to the center of town, as the area is dominated by a very large and fairly nasty outdoor bazaar. Make sure you find all this information before hand, and carry a map to avoid getting lost (which is very easy to do!)), ☏ +380 332 241167. International buses from Lublin, Warsaw (2 per day, 8-9 hr by daylight, 10 hr by night) Poland; Brest (daily, 5-8 hr), Hrodna (daily, 10.5 hr) Belarus. Most interesting short lines (i.e. Volyn region) for tourist Svitiaz (daily 4, 3 hr 45 min), Turbazha (Lake "Svitiaz", Shatsky National Natural Park) 4 hr; Kovel (daily 6, 2-3-4 hr! different ways). To far inland lines Vinnytsia 9 hr; Zhytomyr 6 hr; Kyiv daily 3, 9 hr. To Lviv direction to Uzhhorod 12.5 hr; Lviv daily 7x, 4.5 hr; Brody 3.5 hr; To (Dubenskaya direction) Khmelnytskyi daily 3, 8 hr; Brody daily 2, 3 hr; Ivano-Frankivsk 9 hr; Kamianets-Podilskyi 11 hr; Ternopil daily 2, 4 hr 45 min; Kremenets 1.5 hr; Dubno 1.5 hr. Marshrutky to Rivne (10 грн, 1¼ hr) leave half-hourly; even though they’re not clearly marked on the station timetable, you’ll find them at platform 1. Both minibuses and trains run from Lviv and Kyiv to Lutsk. For more information see Ukraine#Get_around. (updated Sep 2023) 3 Lutsk-2 Bus station (Автостанція Луцьк-2), Vul. Lvivska (вул. Львівська),148 (west 2 km), ☏ +380 332 262591. Daily 05:50-19:40.

Getting around

By public transport

Lutsk has a convenient public transport system:

31 bus routes 9 trolleybus routes Single ride tickets in buses cost 14-25 грн, in trolleybuses — 8 грн. Schedules are available in the official mobile application. You can also check information about public transport on EasyWay and Google Maps.

By taxi Taxi is the easiest way of getting around the city. Some popular taxi companies include:

Uber (Убер). (updated Sep 2023) Bolt (Болт). (updated Sep 2023) Uklon (Уклон). (updated Sep 2023) OnTaxi (ОнТаксі). (updated Sep 2023) Opti (Опті). (updated Sep 2023) Shark (Шарк). (updated Oct 2023)

By scooter Kick scooter is a funny way to shorten your time while getting around the city.

JET.UA. (updated Sep 2023)

See

1 Lubart's Castle (Замок Любарта, Верхній Замок). Built mostly during the 1340s by Lithuanian Prince Liubartas, Lubart's Castle is perhaps the most interesting castle in Ukraine, and is featured on the 200 грн note. Exhibitions: Collegiate Church of St. John the Divine fragments (церкви Іоанна Богослова); Armory, siege guns (Броня із замку); Antiquities (Старожитностей); The Castle lodge (Замкова Сторожка, Охороха Замку), Arsenal (Арсенал), Prison (В’язниця). "Women, fashion, Time"("Жінки, мода, Час"), Lubart Big “Лучеськ Великий на Стиру”, Transition"(Перехід); Volyn fair (Волинські ярмарки); Bullet (Куля), Handwrote Book (Рукописна книга) Sculpture Garden (Сад скульптур) , Batik (Батик), Easter in the Old Town (Великдень у Старому місті). (updated Sep 2023) Admission for adults 20 грн. (2018). Castle Roundabout (Окольний Замок), Dragomanova Vul.. Consisted partly of wooden fortifications, in part - with masonry. Had 8 towers: 4 wood and 4 stone. The length of the stone castle (wall) was 500 m and wooden - 260 meters north of the Roundabout was wooden, south - the stone. Only one survived the eight towers roundabout Castle - Prince Chortoryisk's ( orCzartoryiski) Tower. It was built during the 15th-16th centuries. In 1970 the tower was restored. 2 Market Square (Майдан Ринок) (Trolley № 1, 2, 4). One of the oldest squares in Lutsk, dating back to the 14th century. Surrounded by three Orthodox churches and one Catholic (Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral). Later, an Armenian church was settled near the Market. The Town Hall, gutted by fire in the 18th century, was situated on the south side of square. The market was surrounded by brick buildings with very deep cellars. 3 Lesya Ukrainka Street (Вулиця Лесі Українки) (Running from Fellowship Bridge Square to the city's central Theatre Square.). A central pedestrian street in Lutsk. Landmark buildings on Lesya Ukrainka Street include numbers 2, 5, 13, 32, 53 and 61. There are many shops and restaurants on the street. There are also 2 garden squares on the street and the landmark Trinitarian monastery.

4 House of Peter I (Будинок Петра I.), Vul. Pushkina,(Пушкіна вул.,) 2 (Centre). Residential building where the Russian Tsar Peter I stopped during his visit to Lutsk in 1709. A rare example of a stone house, echoing the layout of the home folk - "the cottage into two halves." 5 Falchevskoho House (Будинок Фальчевського), Cathedral Street, 23 (Stare Mesto). Built in 1545-1546, a unique example of residential architecture. 6 The Gate from 1876 (Брама, 1876), Vul. Lesi Ukraïnki, 1. The gate has a central road

Do

Events

"Jazz Bez" ― the Trans-Border Jazz Marathon, [email protected]. "Jazz Bez" is the most large-scale and long-lasting Ukrainian jazz festival that uses jazz energy to unite many Ukrainian and Polish cities presenting the best Western musicians to them. Every year the city of Lutsk joins the marathon. The main tasks of the festival are the following: creative and organizational exchange of the organizers’ experience; uniting people of different walks of life, countries and ages; propaganda and development of the jazz music; introducing new jazz trends and new playing techniques to young musicians and audiences; development of the cooperation between artists and cultural institutions; enforcing the cultural dialogue; trans-border circulation of artists and artistic objects; professional development of young musicians; encouraging arts organization to create international jazz projects. The Lutsk part of the festival usually takes place in the Puppet Theatre ― the place with the best acoustics in the city. International jazz folk festival "Musical dialogues", [email protected]. "Musical Dialogues" is the only jazz folk festival in the Volyn region of Ukraine. It is aimed at development of ethnic music of different countries (Ukraine being the priority) together with improvisational music ― the jazz. We try to revive authentic musical art and to maintain artists who interpret this art form in a new way. The festival is a trans-border project directed towards the involvement of musicians from all the Europe. The annual open-air music festival usually lasts for 2 days in the end of May and takes place in the adorable 14th century Lutsk castle. Art Show "Night at Lutsk Castle". There is one night in Lutsk when life is swirling in the medieval castle until dawn. The entire community looks forward to the art show "Night at Lutsk Castle" the whole year round. Under cover of the shortest summer night each participant has the opportunity to represent the personage of knight, crowned person, the court servant or artisan. The old romantic atmosphere, created by dances and music of the Middle Ages, knights' tournaments, and lots of candles, fire show, mulled wine, walks in the phaeton and mysterious cave, can return people to the past. "Night at Lutsk Castle" is a synthesis of ancient and modern, history and art. Night extravaganza lets get acquainted with many genres of art and popular performers. Master Class is conducted by famous masters of folk art, artists, film directors and video-art, members of clubs of historical reconstruction. The You

Buy

Markets 1 Tsentralnyi Market (Ринок Центральний), Vul. Hlushets, (Глушець вул.,) 3, ☏ +380 332 725380. 2 Varshavskyi (Zavokzalnyi) Market (Ринок Варшавський (Завокзальний)), Karpenka-Karoho St., 1 (East), ☏ +380 332 234165.

Shopping centers 3 Hostynets Shopping centre (Торговий центр Гостинець), Sobornosti Ave., (Соборності просп.) 11L (east 1 km from Train Station), ☏ +380 332 2716953. 4 Imidzh Shopping centre (Торговий центр Імідж), Vul. Rivnenska (Рівненьська вул.), 89 (east 3 km near Luchesk market), ☏ +380 332 255128. 5 Karavan Shopping Centre (Торговий центр Караван), Vul. Karpenka-Karoho, (Карпенка-Карого вул.) 1.1A (at Zavokzalnyi market). 6 Lutsk Shopping Centre (Універмаг Луцьк), Voli Ave.(Волі просп.), 1, ☏ +380 332 78-5562. 7 Oxygen Entertaining complex (Розважальний комплекс Оксіджен), Rivnen's'ka (Рівненьська вул.).,157 (E 4 km), ☏ +380 332 788975. 8 Tam Tam Shopping Centre (Гіпермаркет Там Там), Ave. Sobornosti, (Соборності просп.) 43 (East), ☏ +380 332 783467. 9 Varshavkyi Shopping Centre (Торговий центр Варшавський), Vul. Koniakina, (Конякіна вул.,) 30 (northeast, near Railway Station). 10 Yuvant Shopping Centre (Торговий центр Ювант), Karpenka-Karoho, (Карпенка-Карого вул.,) 1D (Nertheast, near to Railway Station), ☏ +380 332 740340.

Eat

Restaurants

Café-restaurant “Basylik” (Кафе-ресторан "Базилік"), Kravchuka St., 11a, ☏ +38 066 341-42-41, +38 098 430-54-24, [email protected]. 11:00-00:00. Family cafe-restaurant "Basylik" offers a wide selection of pizzas by popular author recipes. Amateurs of Italian cuisine can taste here fokachcho pancakes, classic pastas and delicious salads with special sauces. Those who are not indifferent to Japanese cuisine, certainly will be interested in a variety of sushi that is prepared in a cafe-restaurant "Basylik" in front of the visitors! "Basylik" offers a wide selection of hot and cold drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. In cafe-restaurant there is a children’s corner where kids can draw, play and have fun in the company of other children. There is also a friendly staff and prompt service. All this is offered by reasonable prices. Restaurant "Monastyrska doroga" (Музейно-театральний ресторан "Монастирська дорога"), Lesi Ukrainky St. 67 (Downtown), ☏ +38 0332 72-52-04, +38 050 76-63-689, [email protected]. 12:00-23:00. Monasteries which were in Lutsk are waiting there for you. Styled restaurant walls will guide you through the Lutsk abbey road, which will leave unforgettable impressions. Delicious cuisine will make you come back here.

Restaurant "Zolotyi Drakon" (Ресторан "Золотий дракон"), Veteraniv St. 1a, ☏ +38 0332 78-84-88. 11:00-00:00. Restaurant "Zolotyi Drakon" offers a wide range of the Chinese and European dishes. Restaurant “Corona Vytautas” (Ресторан "Корона Вітовта"), Castle Square, Plitnitsy St. 1, ☏ +38 0332 72-71-14, +38 097 39-08-688, +38 095 78-92-505, [email protected]. 12:00-00:00. During the archeological digging in the wall of the old foundation half-burned manuscript was found. It was a diary of the king’s chef Svarog, where he did calculations, wrote recipes, created by him dishes, described some events from city life. This manuscript became the stimulus of restaurant “Corona Vytautas” creation in 1996. The restaurant is situated near the walls of the medieval Lutsk Castle. Besides cooking dishes, using the old recipes, they also try to revive old traditions.

Restaurant-confectionary "Kruazh" (Ресторан-кондитерська "Круаж"), Koniakina St. 33a, ☏ +38 0332 73-00-24, +38 050 71-40-199, +38 099 43-66-866, [email protected]. 11:00-23:00. The restaurant interior presents a combination of the modern and the classic, with a starry ceiling and crystal chandelier overhead, forged railings and a modern bar. Restaurant "Pechera" (Ресторан "Печера"), Klyma Savury St. 66a, ☏ +38 0332 28-23-63, +38 099

Drink & nightlife

Bars 1 Chester Pub (Пивний ресторан "Честер Паб"), Voli ave., 11 (Downtown), ☏ +380 332 721505, [email protected]. 12:00-222:00. English pub. 2 Bravyi Shveik Bar (Пивний ресторан "Бравий Швейк"), Lesi Ukrainky St. 56 (Downtown), ☏ +38 0332 72-20-94. 10:00-23:00. To drink cold beer, eat tasty food, watch football - all these things you can do at the restaurant "Bravyi Shveik". Pub "Maidan", Boika St. 2 (Downtown), ☏ +38 0332 72-48-41, +38 050 10-02-751, [email protected]. 09:00-03:00. Two halls and an outside summer terrace.A wide choice of the Ukrainian dishes at reasonable prices. Pub “Obolon”, Kopernika St. 8a, ☏ +38 0332 72-33-53, +38 050 215-41-56, [email protected]. 09:00-15:00. Fashionable music, beer and a good mood. Bar "Zeman", Vynnychenka St. 69, ☏ +38 0332 78-49-60, [email protected]. 11:00-00:00. The plant’s history dates back to 1888, when the Czech colonist Vatslav Zeman, whose family lived in Volyn region at that time, started production. Since 1913 the plant started working in its full power, producing five kinds of beer: “Stolove”, “Sakura”, “Granat”, “Pilzenske”, “Bok-Bir”, which were many times awarded with golden medals in tasting competitions and received the first place in Paris. Brewery “Zeman” production was well-known in many European countries. The brewery “Zeman” master is mentioned in Jaroslav Hašek’s “The Good Soldier Švejk”. Pub "Horyshche", Sobornosti Av. 14a, ☏ +38 095 57-07-772. 12:00-20:00. Thematic parties, parties with the Irish stew, music and the special, mysterious atmosphere of the Green Island are waiting for you. The rules and prices are as democratic as Ireland itself!

Night clubs Night club "Versal", Grushevskogo Av. 2, ☏ +38 0332 72-00-01. 20:00-06:00. DJs of the night club “Versal” offer the most modern music as well as hits from the 1970s, 80s and 90s. You can also request your favourite music. Night club Hollywood, Boika St. 1, ☏ +38 050 80-60-505, [email protected]. 10PM-5AM. Music by local performers. Hot go-go and strip shows. Night club "Zoloto" ("Gold"), Rivnenska St. 157, ☏ +38 050 33-97-109, +38 0332 78-89-75. F-Su 22:00-05:00. Night club “Zoloto” ("Gold") with its pleasing, modern design is created to give you genuine relaxation and a truly fun experience. Relax as you wish: Do you want to order the third story and be the king of a party? Or maybe you wish to sit comfortably on sofas on the second story – and be the centre of attention at your party. The basement and the first floor will surprise you with the longest bars where professional barmen can mix

Sleep

1 Formula Plus Hotel (Готель Формула Плюс), Zmiinets, Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 1 (5kmNW), ☏ +380 332 774419, +380 332 722838. From 600 грн. (updated Sep 2023) 2 Lahuna Hotel (Готель Лагуна), Vul. Okruzhna (E 4.5 km, near Strumivka circle), ☏ +380 332 714045. 3 Luchesk Hotel (Готель Лучеськ), Vidrodzhennia Ave.,(Відродження просп., 1) 1 (E 3 km), ☏ +380 332 788800, +380 332 788896. 4 Motor Hotel (Готель Мотор), Vul. Chkalova, (Чкалова вул), 24., ☏ +380 3322 32451, +380 3322 47311. 5 Nyva Hotel (Готель Нива), Karpenka-Karoho St., 1 (3.5 km NE, at Railway Station), ☏ +380 332 234407, +380 332 230441. From 800 грн. (updated Sep 2023) 6 Okolytsia Hotel (Готель Околиця), Vul. Rivnenska, (Рівненьська вул.) 154, ☏ +380 67 387 6591. 7 Ukraina Hotel (Готель Україна), Slovatskoho, (Словацького вул.,) 2, ☏ +380 67 332 3991. 70rooms / 103beds From 1,650 грн. (updated Jan 2024) Ribas Rooms Lutsk, 3A Gavryluka Street, ☏ +380 980902000, +380 688800756, [email protected]. From 1,350 грн. (updated Sep 2023) Svityaz Lutsk (Світязь Луцьк), 4 Naberezhna Street, ☏ +380 332245511, +380 959000303. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. From 695 грн. (updated Sep 2023)

Go next

Lviv, 155 km southwest. The "Gem" of Western Ukraine. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Poland daily bus to Lublin and Warsaw Rivne. Eastward 75 km. Administrative center of the Rivne Oblast. A historic city with many sights.