Stare Selo Castle

Ukraine, Ukraine

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Stare Selo Castle in Stare Selo, Ukraine, began as timber fortifications built by the Ostrogski princely family around 1448, which were destroyed by Turkish invaders in the late 15th century.

A robust stone fortress replaced it in the 1580s, designed by Italian architect Amvrosii Prykhylny (also known as Ambrosio from Valtellina) to guard the Bârlad trade route from Lviv toward Romania, featuring an irregular pentagonal layout spanning about 2 hectares with thick walls in late Renaissance style, later renovated in 1642 and 1654.

Now standing as imposing ruins with well-preserved outer walls enclosing a vast grassy courtyard, the site offers a spooky yet photogenic atmosphere for visitors exploring its historical scale near Lviv, though largely undeveloped inside.