Poland to fund restoration of Ukraine's Pidhirtsi and Olesko castles

The Polish Ministry of Culture will allocate about $2 million for the renovation of Polish heritage sites abroad. Among these monuments are the Olesko and Pidhirtsi castles in the western Lviv region of Ukraine.

The latter is a Renaissance mansion built on the foundations of a clear-cut fortress dating back to the 18th century. It is surrounded by a beautiful park. Those who were lucky enough to visit the castle were amazed by its true beauty - as were the film directors who chose it as the setting for their films.

In 1973-1974, Jerzy Hoffman shot his movie "The Deluge" there. The residence featured in the film as the Radziwiłł castle in Kėdainiai. The Soviet version of The Three Musketeers was also filmed there.

The renovation works of Pidhirtsi Castle will be taken up by the Dzieduszycki Family Association. During the Soviet period the castle was used as a tuberculosis sanatorium. When Ukraine became an independent state in 1991, the castle was in a bad condition. Further neglect put the landmark, often called the "Versailles of the East," on the list of truly endangered species.

“The aim of our project is to save the wall of the north-eastern alcove of the castle in Pidhirtsi, which was considered one of the most beautiful palace buildings that were royal residences,” said Melania Dzieduszycka of the Dzieduszycki Family Association in her interview with "Rzeczpospolita".

The alcove block collapsed in July 2024. Bricks and debris fell from the inner part of the wall. The condition of the building is critical and it is feared that further collapses may occur.

Unlike the Pidhirtsi, the Olesko castle is in a better shape. This 14th century stronghold is important for Poland because two Polish kings were born there, including Jan III Sobieski, the hero of the Battle of Vienna, when the united Christian troops repelled the Ottoman forces that had besieged Vienna for 2 months. The battle stopped the advance of the Turks in Europe. The last major restoration of the castle was completed in 1985.