Historical and cultural reserve Tustan

The impregnable fortress of Tustan, which grew up among the rocks, stood on forty-meter-high sandstone stones. For four centuries, it defended the borders from invaders until it was destroyed by the Tatar Mongols. Nowadays, the remains of the medieval fortress can be found in the reserve that bears its name.

Tustan was an important strategic point and was part of the unified system of the Carpathian (Hungarian) line of defense of the southwestern borders of the Old Rus' state, and later of the Galicia-Volyn principality. In 1241, Tustan was destroyed by the Mongol-Tatars. In 1340, the fortress was captured by the Polish king Casimir the Great and rebuilt after its destruction by his order.

The Tustan fortress existed until the 16th century. In the 17th century, it lost its role as a customs office and fell into decay.

Since the 18th century, the ruins of the castle-fortress have attracted the attention of numerous travelers, tourists, ethnographers, and historians. For them, the locals of the surrounding villages compose numerous legends and stories.

The Tustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve was established in 1994. It is rightfully considered one of the most picturesque places in Western Ukraine.

The Tustan rock fortress is a historical, archeological, architectural and natural monument that has no analogues in Europe. The fortress is included in the list of outstanding historical and cultural monuments that require priority reconstruction.

In our time, battle axes, men's rings, and bows and crossbows were found on the territory of the fortress city. In 1972, archaeologist Roman Bahrii found a bronze mace on the territory, and later a bronze folding cross in which holy relics were carried. In addition, the remains of single burials, crypts, caves, stairs, rock corridors, a well, and two water cisterns were discovered.

• Experts developed a graphic model of the fortress. As it turned out, this ancient Russian construction included 5 floors, and the ground defensive walls reached 15 meters! The scientists were also impressed by the high level of development of our ancestors in construction, which created such a complex water supply system for the city.
• In 1999, the Skole Beskydy National Nature Park was established, with the Tustan Nature Reserve on its territory. The park makes it possible to preserve the landscapes of the western part of the Ukrainian Carpathians with their typical unique natural complexes, which are of great environmental, ecological and recreational importance.

Festivals

Tustan is now a popular tourist destination. For ten years, the reserve has hosted the Tu Stan festival of Ukrainian medieval culture. It gathers people who are looking for a special atmosphere, special feelings and constant development. Nowadays, the festival focuses more on the atmosphere of the Middle Ages through the recreation of weapons, life, and crafts. The activity of visitors also contributes to this.

The Tu Stan! festival continues to develop, has its own unique niche, its own fans, and has already become a regional brand that is known not only in Ukraine but also abroad.

Sightseeing trips to the famous fortress are organized from such cities as Morshyn, Truskavets, Bukovel, and Skhidnytsia. You can reach the fortress by car on your own via the Kyiv-Chop highway or from the Skhidnytsia resort. Along the highway, you need to watch for the turn to the village of Urych, near which the rocks are located. The road is good.

By the way, there are several other objects of interest to tourists relatively close by. For example, a cave monastery in Rozgirche, ski lifts to Trostyan and Vysokyi Verkh, ski centers (Tysovets, Slavske).

Opening hours:

• from November to March - from 9:30 to 17:00;
• from April to October - from 10:00 to 18:00.

Entrance fee: 50 UAH, discounted - 25 UAH.

There are information stands on the territory, and you can book an excursion. There is also a small town where you can have a snack and buy souvenirs.