Ostroh Castle
Encyclopedia
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Ostroh
Ostroh is a historic city located in Rivne Oblast of western Ukraine, located on the Horyn River. Ostroh is the administrative center of the Ostroh Raion and is itself designated as a special administrative subordination within the oblast...
, located in the Rivne Oblast
Rivne Oblast
Rivne Oblast is an oblast of Ukraine. Its administrative center is Rivne. The area of the region is 20,100 km²; its population is 1.2 million...
of western Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
. The city of Ostroh was first mentioned in the 12th century. For almost three centuries, the castle it was a residence of the Ostrogski
Ostrogski
Ostrogski was one of the greatest Ruthenian princely families of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.They were most likely of Rurikid stock and descended from Sviatopolk II of Kiev. Some scholars however claim their descent from Galicia-Volhynia line of Rurikid dynasty. Vasilko Romanovich Prince of...
princely family
Knyaz
Kniaz, knyaz or knez is a Slavic title found in most Slavic languages, denoting a royal nobility rank. It is usually translated into English as either Prince or less commonly as Duke....
which gave Ukraine famous military leaders, musical composers, and civil engineers. Today the castle is in ruins, and lasted from the 14th century to the 16th century.
Location
The castle itself is located in a relatively small elevated oval plaza. The area's natural geography helped to fortify the complex; the southern and eastern sides of the fortress raised upon a 20-meter high cliff, and the northern and western sides separate the city by series of trenches (moats) that replaced the big ravine.History
The first wooden fortifications were built in the area before the 1241 Mongol invasion of RusMongol invasion of Rus
The Mongol invasion of Russia was resumed on 21 December 1237 marking the resumption of the Mongol invasion of Europe, during which the Mongols attacked the medieval powers of Poland, Kiev, Hungary, and miscellaneous tribes of less organized peoples...
, during which they were subsequently destroyed. The ruins were later reconstructed by Knyaz
Knyaz
Kniaz, knyaz or knez is a Slavic title found in most Slavic languages, denoting a royal nobility rank. It is usually translated into English as either Prince or less commonly as Duke....
Daniil
Daniil Ostrogski
Daniil Ostrogski was probably Prince of Turaŭ, first Prince of Ostroh, and founder of the Ostrogski House.-Biography:It is not clear whether he was descendant of Pinsk–Turaŭ or Galicia–Volhynia branch of the Rurikid Dynasty...
from the Ostrogky family
Ostrogski
Ostrogski was one of the greatest Ruthenian princely families of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.They were most likely of Rurikid stock and descended from Sviatopolk II of Kiev. Some scholars however claim their descent from Galicia-Volhynia line of Rurikid dynasty. Vasilko Romanovich Prince of...
on the city's Sudovy Hill (castle hill). Since then, more additions and reconstructions were carried out, although the complex still retains its Medieval architecture
Medieval architecture
Medieval architecture is a term used to represent various forms of architecture common in Medieval Europe.-Characteristics:-Religious architecture:...
.
The castle complex consists of four main structures: the Guard Tower (Vezha murovana) where the castle's museum is located, the Bohoyavlenska Church, the New Tower, and the Belltower (constructed in 1905).
Legacy
A small park sits right next to the castle, separated by a small moat. A monument was placed in the park in 1978, commemorating the 400 anniversary of the foundation of the Ostroh AcademyOstroh Academy
National University "Ostroh Academy" is a Ukrainian self-governed research university that was re-opened in 1994 by the Presidential Decree of April 12, 1994...
. A building used to stand in the same location, in which the "Azbuka" (alphabet) and the Ostrog Bible
Ostrog Bible
The Ostrog Bible was one of the earliest East Slavic translations of the Bible and the first complete printed edition of the Bible in Old Church Slavonic, published in Ostroh, in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth , by the printer Ivan Fyodorov in 1581 with the assistance of the Ruthenian Prince...
were printed by Ivan Fedorov
Ivan Fyodorov (printer)
Ivan Fyodorov or Fedorovič , was one of the fathers of Eastern Slavonic printing...
.
See also
- Seven Wonders of UkraineSeven Wonders of UkraineThe Seven Wonders of Ukraine are the seven historical and cultural monuments of Ukraine, which were chosen in the Seven Wonders of Ukraine contest held in July, 2007...
- Starokostiantyniv CastleStarokostiantyniv CastleThe Old Constantine Castle is a Volhynian castle built at the confluence of the Sluch and Ikopot' rivers by Prince Constantine Ostrogski in the 1560s....
- another castle of the Ostrogski family