Museum of the History of Ancient Halych | Zaporizhzhia

The Museum of the History of Ancient Halych, located in the village of Krylos (a historical suburb of the medieval capital Halych), is one of Ukraine’s most important cultural and archaeological museums. It plays a central role in preserving and showcasing the legacy of the once-powerful Principality of Halych and the later Galicia–Volhynia state, which were dominant in medieval Eastern Europe.

🏛 Historical Context and Location

The museum is housed in the Metropolitan Chambers, a preserved 18th-century residence that once belonged to the Greek-Catholic metropolitans. This setting adds to the museum's authenticity and historical depth. Krylos itself is a historically significant location—the Assumption Cathedral of Halych (built in the 12th century and later destroyed by the Mongols) once stood here, and remnants of it are incorporated into the museum's narrative.

🖼 Exhibits and Collections

The museum’s exhibitions are arranged thematically and chronologically, providing visitors with an immersive experience into the rise and development of ancient Halych. Key themes and artifacts include:

1. Archaeological Finds

Artifacts from excavations carried out since the 1930s by Yaroslav Pasternak.

Items from princely burial mounds, settlements, and fortifications.

Weaponry such as:

Iron swords, spears, and arrowheads.

Battle axes and protective armor, showcasing the military power of Halych.

2. Religious and Spiritual Heritage

Fragments from the Assumption Cathedral, including intricately carved stone capitals and cornices.

Church artifacts like chalices, censers, priestly vestments, and ancient icons.

A particularly prized item: The Gospel of the Lviv Staropigiyiv Brotherhood (1670)—an example of early Ukrainian printing and religious art.

A bishop's crosier attributed to Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, who played a major role in Ukrainian religious and cultural life.

3. Daily Life and Culture

Exhibits on ancient crafts: pottery, blacksmithing, weaving.

Household items from the 9th to 13th centuries.

Reconstruction models of medieval Halych’s fortresses, roads, and trade networks.

4. Multimedia and Reconstructions

Some parts of the museum include visual reconstructions and digital media presentations showing how Halych looked during its peak.

Educational panels in Ukrainian and sometimes in English, depending on the exhibition.

🗺 Site Environment

The museum is surrounded by historical and archaeological landmarks, including:

Foundations and restored outlines of the Assumption Cathedral.

Burial mounds of Galician princes.

The nearby Chapel of St. Basil, one of the first exhibition spaces used by Pasternak.

A panoramic view of the Dniester River valley and surrounding Carpathian foothills.

🕒 Visitor Information

Address: Krylos, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Ukraine

Open: Daily (except Thursdays), 9:00–17:00

Admission:

Adults: 40 UAH

Children: 20 UAH

Guided Tour (Ukrainian only): 200 UAH for adults, 100 UAH for children

Photography: 100 UAH; Filming: 200 UAH

🎓 Educational and Cultural Role

The museum not only preserves artifacts but actively participates in research, restoration, and cultural outreach. It cooperates with universities and international institutions to explore the deeper roots of Halych’s history and its connections to the broader European medieval context.

It’s an essential stop for scholars, students, tourists, and anyone interested in Ukrainian history, archaeology, and the roots of Eastern European civilization.