Excursion Virtual Tour Zhovkva Castle

Zhovkva Castle.

Founded in 1597 as a private fortified town and named Żółkiew after its founder, hetman Stanisław Żółkiewski, the town eventually became the royal residence for King John III Sobieski of Poland, and a hub of religious life, arts and commerce. As a private town in Poland, Żółkiew was the property over time of the Żółkiewski, Daniłowicz, Sobieski and Radziwiłł aristocracies. During this period, most of the city’s landmarks were built, including the Zhovkva Castle, St. Lawrence’s Church, a fortress-like synagogue, the Saint Lazarus church, and the Holy Trinity Church – a UNESCO World Heritage site.

From its earliest days, the population of Żółkiew was a mix of Poles, Armenians, Ukrainians and Jews.  However, during World War II, most of the Jewish and Polish population were either exterminated or deported to concentration camps by both the Soviets and Nazis; their landmarks and places of worship either destroyed or re-purposed as prisons or warehouses.

Zhovkva Castle, the town’s oldest and largest building, former residence of hetman Stanisław Żółkiewski and King John III Sobieski, is being converted into a culture and conference hall. A Renaissance architecture fortified synagogue, built between 1692 and 1698, and co-financed by Polish King John III Sobieski, is located in the town.

You’ll want to check out our Golden Horseshoe Tour, available now.