Volyn Oblast: Lakes, forests and history

In Shatskyi National Park, 23 picturesque lakes lie among the forests; the lake group is one of the largest in Europe. This adds a striking natural highlight to a trip to Volyn Oblast. Svitiaz, Lake Luky and the Svitiazianka educational trail offer different perspectives: on the size of the lakes, activities on the water and the park’s distinctive features.

Lakes and activities in Shatskyi National Park

Svitiaz is the largest lake in Shatskyi National Park and also the deepest lake in Ukraine. The two descriptions use different measures: the first ranks it within the park, while the second compares it nationally. This distinction matters for orientation because “largest” and “deepest” refer to two clearly different geographical frames of reference.

You can kayak on Lake Luky among yellow pond lilies and white water lilies. Shatskyi National Park is also suitable for birdwatching; you can swim in its lakes and cycle through its forests. This makes it possible to distinguish between a specific activity on Lake Luky and several options in the park.

Signs along the Svitiazianka educational trail explain the national park’s distinctive features; the first forest library is also located there. The trail thus offers two different points of interest: information about the park and the forest library as a special feature.

A castle and a museum: historical points of reference

Two other points of reference relate to architectural and museum history. Olytskyi Castle was founded in 1558 by Mikołaj Radziwiłł the Black, who received the title “Prince of Olyka.” The founding year and the title “Prince of Olyka” place the castle in a specific historical context.

In Lutsk, the Volyn Regional Museum opened on 16 June 1929 as the Volyn Museum. Today, it is the largest and oldest of the museums currently operating in Volyn. Comparing the dates highlights the two topics: 1558 marks the castle’s founding, while 1929 marks the museum’s opening.

Other perspectives in Ukraine

At the broader destination level of Ukraine, further historical and cultural points of reference come into view. The Struve Geodetic Arc includes four of its original survey points in Ukraine, established between 1816 and 1851. In the Ukrainian pysanka tradition, patterns and symbols are applied to the egg with wax; it is then dyed. The process is repeated until the desired pattern and colours are achieved.

Find a hotel for your trip

When looking for a hotel in Volyn Oblast, you can start by weighing your interests: are lakes, nature watching and activities in the national park your main priorities, or are you particularly interested in the history of Olytskyi Castle and the museum in Lutsk?

Discover more destinations: Moschtschena, Komarove, Lutsk, Ratnivs'kyi Rajon, Kowel, Trębki, Pryvitne, Piddubtsi, Kolodyazhne, Svityaz', Mayaky, Ljuboml, Nowowolynsk, Mar'yanivka, Huta, Romashkivka, Volodymyr-Volynsky, Manevychi, Pul'mo and Moshchanytsya.

Go to the main travel overview: Ukraine.