Count Ray's estate of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in Pryozerne

Few people know that in the village of Pryozerne, Rohatyn district, Ivano-Frankivsk region, there is a palace of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that is positively impressive in its resemblance. Pryozerne, which as of 2001 had 462 inhabitants, has been known since the eighteenth century, although the village is much older. Until 1961 Pryozerne was called Psary.

The first known owner of this village was the Galician sub-chancellor Józef Jabłonowski, with whom the history of the palace is connected in some way. He also built the first palace in Psary in the second half of the eighteenth century, which was in the style of classicism. Very little evidence has survived about this building: we know about columns, a wooden portico, etc. After Jabłonowski's death, his estate was inherited through various marriages by his great-granddaughter Wilhelmina (from the family of the princes Hłogowski), the wife of Count Stanisław Rey (1833-1873). It is with the aristocratic Rey family that the palace in Pryozerne is most associated.

By the way, the Ray family is one of the branches of the famous Potocki magnate clan. In the 70s of the nineteenth century, by order of Countess Wilhelmina Rey (1849-1907), a new estate was built. The architect was a well-known Lviv specialist Yulian Zakharevych. It is interesting that the old palace was not dismantled during the construction of the new estate until 1880.

In 1880 the old classicist palace was dismantled. In 1882, the construction of a new "count's nest" in an eclectic style was completed. A 30-hectare park was laid out around it. Oaks, maples, lindens, larch, and ash trees grew there. There were also picturesque ponds where you could swim with the nobles on boats. After the countess's death, the village became an estate and passed to her sons. One of them, Ludwik Rey (1896-1978), became the owner of the estate.

The aristocratic manor attracted the beau monde from all over the region. It lasted until 1939, when the Second World War broke out. Sadly, Count Ludwig left for France forever. Under the Soviet Union, the count's masterpiece of architecture was used for economic purposes, namely as a collective farm pigsty. Later, a psychiatric hospital was established here. In 1955, students of the Rohatyn Zoological Veterinary Complex were settled here.

The architectural monument received an interesting purpose in independent Ukraine, as a nunnery functioned here until 2004. Later, the estate became the property of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Kyiv Patriarchate. In 2008, under unclear, "foggy" circumstances, the Rey estate was bought by private individuals unknown to the public. It is sad that the state did not react to this sale of historical heritage.

Nowadays. The palace is still standing and attracts tourists, but only from the outside. Inside, the picture is terrible. Unfortunately, the last owners did not care about the proper restoration of the historical heritage of the Ukrainian people. In addition to the palace, an interesting object is the entrance gate, which was built in 1822. Once the entrance passage was a through passage, but in 1970 it was walled up by local Soviet functionaries. The reason was that it was a good place for a monument to Lenin.

You can also trace the driveway to the Rei's house. The park trees, in particular, century-old linden trees, have survived to this day. And the ponds are overgrown. In general, I must say, there is something mystical about this palace. It is especially scary at night. That's why Hollywood horror movie directors could find a good place for their filming. The main thing that needs to be done now is to save this architectural monument. It will not be able to stand for long without restoration.

For tourists and travelers Coordinates: 49°24′54″N, 24°28′04″E. Directions.

From Ivano-Frankivsk through Rohatyn towards Lviv, we pass through Cherche and Pidkamin (a completely different village, not the one that many tourists know). After Pidkamin, it is advised to turn off the road to the left and go straight ahead. And then you will see a metal gate and an abandoned checkpoint.

From Lviv, head towards Novi Strilyshcha, Fraga, and then the aforementioned Pidkamin and turn right off the road.