Nestled among the forests of Shatskyi National Park are 23 picturesque lakes; the lake group is one of the largest in Europe. Water and forest thus shape a distinctive natural corner of Volyn Oblast. Svitiaz is the largest lake in the park and also the deepest lake in Ukraine. The two comparisons use different scales: the first refers to the national park, the second to the whole country. If you enjoy exploring landscapes through concrete comparisons of size, Svitiaz offers a clear point of reference.
Lakes, forests and nature experiences
In the park, observation goes hand in hand with movement and water activities. Shatskyi National Park is ideal for birdwatching; you can swim in its lakes and cycle through its forests. On Lake Luky, you can kayak among yellow pond lilies and white water lilies. These are different ways of engaging with the landscape: birdwatching focuses attention on wildlife, cycling on the forest, and swimming and kayaking on the lakes. The scale is also important when choosing what interests you: kayaking is specifically mentioned for Lake Luky, while swimming in the lakes and cycling through the forests relate to the wider park.
Another facet of the park is the Svitiazianka educational trail. Information boards describe the special features of Shatskyi National Park; the trail is also home to the first forest library. The trail thus brings together information about the natural area and a library in the forest. This offers a different focus from birdwatching or moving through forests and water: here, attention turns to the park’s distinctive features and a cultural element.
Castle history and regional museum
Volyn’s history also offers concrete points of reference. Olytskyi Castle was founded in 1558 by Mikołaj Radziwiłł the Black, who received the title “Prince of Olyka.” The founder, founding year and title connect the castle’s history with a specific person and historical name. Another point in time is in Lutsk: the Volyn Regional Museum opened there on June 16, 1929, as the Volyn Museum. It is the largest and oldest of the museums currently operating in Volyn. Several centuries separate 1558 and 1929; the dates mark different chapters, from the founding of the castle to the opening of a regional museum.
A look at Ukraine
Ukraine as a whole offers another historical and cultural perspective. The Struve Geodetic Arc includes four of its original survey points in Ukraine; they were established between 1816 and 1851. Ukrainian pysanka tradition offers a different perspective: patterns and symbols are applied to the egg with wax, after which it is dyed. The process is repeated until the desired pattern and colors are achieved. These examples represent different subjects within the broader travel destination of Ukraine: the history of surveying and a craft tradition.
Discover more destinations: Komarove, Lutsk, Ratnivs'kyi District, Moschtschena, Kovel, Trębki, Pryvitne, Piddubtsi, Kolodyazhne, Svityaz', Mayaky, Liuboml, Novovolynsk, Mar'yanivka, Huta, Romashkivka, Volodymyr-Volynsky, Manevychi, Pul'mo, Moshchanytsya
For the broader travel overview: Ukraine.
