Monument to Danylo Halytskyi, Halych

On the main square of Halych, called Christmas Square, stands a monument to Danylo Halytskyi. The great ruler of the Galicia-Volhynia principality is embodied in bronze, sitting on horseback, as if he is looking out over the surrounding lands. Prince Danylo holds a sword in his right hand. The location for the monument was chosen very well, it can be seen from all sides and from different angles. Danylo Halytskyi is revered in this corner of Ukraine because he managed to turn his land into one of the most powerful European states of the time.

The monument to Danylo Halytskyi was erected in September 1998, when the city celebrated its 1100th anniversary. It was created by Lviv artists, sculptor Oleksandr Pyliev and architect Oleh Chamara. They tried to give the image the features of a victorious prince who in 1238 overcame the resistance of local boyars and managed to reunite the Galician and Volyn lands.

The composition of the monument consists of a granite pedestal, which has a total height of 3.5 meters, and a bronze sculpture of a rider 4.2 meters high.

The place for the monument was chosen as a symbolic one. Many historians are inclined to believe that the current central square of Halych, as well as the neighborhoods around it, appeared on the initiative of Prince Danylo. This part of the city was built for foreign merchants (primarily German), who were organized into a community.

About Danylo Halytskyi

• Prince Danylo was a prominent political and statesman of the 13th century, ruler of the Galicia-Volhynia state, diplomat, and commander. Danylo was the eldest son of Prince Roman Mstyslavych of Galicia-Volhynia.
• After the death of Prince Roman, it took Danylo Halytskyi 40 years to "piece together" his father's possessions. In 1245 he regained all of Galicia.
• Danylo Halytskyi built several new fortresses, placed his own planters and military outposts there.
• Danylo Romanovych built a new city and named it after his son Lev.
• Pope Innocent IV granted Danylo Halytskyi a royal title.
• The first Ukrainian king died in his newly built capital, the city of Kholm (now part of Poland).

You can get to the monument to Danylo Halytskyi in Halych by turning off the H09 highway into the city center. Or you can walk from the Halych railway station across a metal pedestrian bridge. The monument is located on the central square, Christmas Square.