Olyka Castle is the Radziwiłł residence in the town of Olyka, 40 km east of Lutsk. It is the first (or one of the first) rectangular bastion-type castles in Ukraine. The castle was built in 1558, and for nearly four centuries it belonged to a single family.
The Radziwiłł Castle
For over 400 years, Olyka was the patrimony of the Radziwiłłs. In 1547, Mykola Radziwiłł "the Black" received the title of Prince of Olyka from Emperor Charles V. In plan, the castle is an almost regular square with four corner bastions that featured watchtowers. On three sides, there is a moat faced with brick.
The courtyard is built up along the perimeter: three wings are two-story, and the palatial southeastern wing is three-story. A stone arched bridge across the moat leads to it, and a two-tier baroque clock tower rises above the opposite entrance.
Today
After 1939, the castle was heavily damaged, and today it houses a psychiatric hospital, so tourists are not always allowed inside. However, the walls, bastions, bridge, and tower are clearly visible from the outside.
Nearby
In the center of Olyka stands the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity from 1635–1640 with the Radziwiłł crypt and the Lutsk Gate. More details can be found in the article about Lutsk Raion.
How to get there
From Lutsk — by bus or car, about an hour.
