The urban-type settlement of Horodnytsia lies northwest of Zviahel (until 2022 — Novohrad-Volynskyi), on the picturesque banks of the Sluch River. It is the center of the Horodnytsia hromada in Zviahel Raion; according to the 2001 census, it had a population of 5,604.
History of the Settlement
Documentary mentions of Horodnytsia date back to the 17th century, while the settlement itself, according to legend, is much older. There is a legend that a large city once stood on the site of the settlement, which was destroyed in ancient times. Ancient burial sites remained from it, and new settlers named the area "Horod-nyts" — "there is no city." Over time, the name transformed into the modern one — Horodnytsia.
In the second half of the 17th century, the St. George's Men's Monastery was founded here, which ceased to exist in the 18th century. In 1744, a wooden church in honor of Saint George was built on its site.
In 1891, the monastery was restored as a women's monastery, and at the beginning of the 20th century, the large neo-Byzantine St. George's Cathedral appeared, which has much in common with Kyiv's St. Volodymyr's Cathedral.
In 1923, the Soviet authorities closed the monastery, but it resumed activity during the German occupation. Since 1945, the cathedral operated as a parish church. In 1979, the monastery resumed operations, uniting the men's and women's communities despite pressure from the Soviet authorities.
Since 1994, the monastery has had the status of a stavropegic monastery (subordinate directly to the primate of the church, the UOC MP) and is one of the largest Orthodox monasteries in Zhytomyr Oblast.
Religious and Cultural Heritage
In the 19th century, Horodnytsia was a small town with a large Jewish community. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, a synagogue was built here, which has survived to this day, although it has been partially rebuilt.
In the 21st century, the Church of St. Anthony of Padua appeared in the settlement, serving the Roman Catholic community of Horodnytsia.
Horodnytsia is also known for its industrial history: from the late 18th to the early 19th century, a porcelain factory operated here, the products of which are valued by collectors.
Thus, the settlement has a rich religious landscape: the Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Jewish communities have left a noticeable mark on its architecture and culture.
Modern Life of Horodnytsia
Today, Horodnytsia combines historical heritage and modern life. St. George's Cathedral, the synagogue, and the Church of St. Anthony of Padua attract tourists and pilgrims. The settlement preserves the atmosphere of antiquity while living by modern realities.
Horodnytsia is a place where history, religion, and culture harmoniously intertwine, creating the unique flavor of Zhytomyr Oblast.
Photos by Maksym Melnykov and Roman Malenkov.
Synagogue
Church
