Sutkivtsi Church-Fortress - Castles on Waymarking.com

Sutkivtsi Church-Fortress

The Church-Fortress of Pokrova (Protectress of the Blessed Virgin Mary) is the only one of its kind in Eastern and Central Europe. Jogaila, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, gave the land that would become the village of Sutkivtsy to the knight Khod’ko Sutkivtsy in 1407 “for faithful service.” His grandson Fedir built the Intercession Church-Fortress and the castle in 1476 in the Gothic style. All that remains of the castle is the Eastern Tower. The walls of the church are 5 feet thick (1.5 m) and have 95 loopholes.

The castle was heavily damaged in 1567 during a Tatar invasion. The last of the Sutkivtsy died without a male heir in the early 17th Century. Varvara, the last female Sutkivtsy, married Alexander Balaban who restored the castle to its final form in 1643. Unfortunately it was soon destroyed again. By the end of the 17th Century the fortress lost its defensive significance and fell into ruin. The church, however, was reconstructed during the 18th and 19th Centuries. The interior still contains the old décor and the gravestone of Ivan Vasiliovich Sutkivtsy.

There are many legends of ghosts that appear on the hills surrounding the church. Many have sworn they have seen mysterious figures in white garments near the ruin of the Eastern Tower. Local people maintain that if you press your ear to the ground you may hear the ringing bells of a church long gone.

Accessibility: No access- Private Condition: Intact Admission Charge?: no Website: Not listed

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