The Museum of Volyn Icon in Lutsk is the only museum in Ukraine representing the Volyn school of icon painting. Its main shrine is the Kholm Icon of the Mother of God, one of the oldest and most revered icons of Rus-Ukraine. The museum is part of the Volyn Regional Museum of Local Lore and is located in old Lutsk.
Collection
The collection was formed over several historical periods. A significant part consists of folk icons from rural churches of Volyn — bright, sincere, painted by local masters. Some of the works came to the museum from former Greek Catholic churches and Roman Catholic churches of the region. Together, they show how Volyn icon painting developed from the Middle Ages to the 19th century: from strict Byzantine canons to Baroque splendor and folk simplicity.
Kholm Icon of the Mother of God
According to legend, the icon arrived in Rus as the dowry of the Byzantine princess Anna, the bride of Prince Volodymyr. For a long time, it was kept in Kholm — one of the capitals of the Halych-Volyn Principality — where it became famous for miracles. After the turbulent events of the 20th century, the icon ended up in Volyn.
In 2000, it was handed over to the museum by Nadiia Horlytska, the daughter of the icon's keeper, Havryil Korobchuk. At that time, the icon was in critical condition, and its long restoration began, carried out by Anatolii Kvasiuk, head of the restoration workshop of the Volyn Regional Museum of Local Lore. After the restoration, the icon was presented to the public, and now it is permanently exhibited in a separate hall, visited by both tourists and believers of various denominations.
Tip
Allow an hour to visit the museum. Nearby are Lubart's Castle, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, and the Great Synagogue, so the museum is easily included in a walk around the old town.
How to get there
The museum is in the center of old Lutsk. More about the city can be found in the article Lutsk.
