In the Ivano-Frankivsk region, there is a relatively small Hutsul village of Kryvorivnia, which has seen firsthand literally all stages of Ukraine's historical, cultural and political development. Learn about the history of Kryvorivnia, its sights and people, and create your own route to the cradle of Ukrainian history

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There are places where every house breathes history. Kryvorivnia in Ivano-Frankivsk region is one of them. However, there is more to it than just history... In Kryvorivnia, Oleksa Dovbush developed plans for raids on lordly estates, Ivan Franko wrote his poem ‘Thorn in the Foot’, and Mykhailo Hrushevsky resolved the political vicissitudes of the Ukrainian People's Republic. For centuries, Kryvorivnia has retained the status of a cultural centre. Read more about its history, customs and interesting places in the material on the Visit Ukraine portal.

History of the Hutsul village of Kryvorivnia

Kryvorivnia was founded in 1654, and the first mention of it dates back to 1719. It was then that the local church was moved from the village of Zarichchia. In 1787, the village of Kryvorivnia was mentioned in the land records.

Residents of Kryvorivnia were actively involved in the Oprishkivskyi movement. According to legend, it was in Kryvorivnia that Dovbush met Dzvinka, who later killed him. According to historical accounts, the last time the Oprishky leader was here was in 1745, when the rebels were planning their summer campaigns. After Dovbush's death, the villagers joined the rebel groups of Vasyl Bayiurak and Ivan Boichuk, and in the 19th century - the opryshky led by Glonka.

The inhabitants of Kryvorivnia have been engaged in animal husbandry for centuries (which made their estates especially attractive to wild animals and forced them to build real fortresses around the estate - more on this later). One of the specifically Hutsul crafts was logging and rafting on the Cheremosh. Turning, carpentry, carving, and pottery were also widespread here.

In the 20th century, the cultural and educational movement revived in the village, largely as a result of Ivan Franko and other cultural figures' stay here. In 1900, a reading room was opened in Kryvorivnia, where lectures, concerts, and public readings of works by Ukrainian writers and treatises on socially important topics were held. Later, Kryvorivnia residents supported the Ukrainian intelligentsia fighting for the opening of a Ukrainian university.

Throughout its existence, Kryvorivnia has welcomed Andrey Sheptytsky, Mykhailo Hrushevsky, Ivan Franko, Lesya Ukrainka, Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky, Hnat Khotkevych and dozens of other world-famous personalities.

What can you visit in Kryvorivnia?

Museum ‘Hutsul Citizenship’

In 1955, a museum was built in the village of Kryvorivnia to recreate the ethnic Hutsul house, the hrazhda. Visually, the hut looks like a small fortress: a fence has been erected around the house and outbuildings, which can only be entered through a gate that is locked at night. The ‘fortress’ was fortified to protect it from predators, which were very numerous in the Carpathian forests, and strong winds in the mountains. The interior of the hut is also traditional, with two rooms separated by haylofts. The hrazhda is a unique architectural structure, because nowadays there are almost no huts left in Hutsul villages. You can see the ‘Hutsul fortress’ only if it serves as an ethnographic museum.

Opening hours:

From Tuesday to Sunday (Monday is a day off) from 10:00 to 18:00.

Ticket prices:

30 UAH - for adults

20 UAH - for students (student ID is required);

10 UAH - for children.

Ethnographic Museum of Hutsul Antiquities

The museum, which opened in 2016, presents all stages of the region's development:

- pre-Christian times (remains of fishing and hunting tools were found);

- craftsmanship - woodworking and wooden construction;

- decorative and applied arts - the development of this area from ancient times to the present day;

- musical art (ethnic instruments made by local craftsmen, such as drymbas and violins);

- periods of war and the struggle for independence.

Please note! The tour must be arranged in advance, as the museum does not have a regular opening schedule.

Ticket price:

20 UAH - for adults;

15 UAH - for children;

Mykhajlo Hrushevsky's museum and estate

More than 100 years ago, the village of Kryvorivnia was home to the villa of the first leader of the Ukrainian People's Republic, Mykhailo Hrushevsky. The politician is known not only for his state-building activities - his most important work is the multi-volume History of Ukraine-Rus', which has been a benchmark for historical research for Ukrainian scholars for decades. There are several expositions here: two rooms contain Hrushevsky's documents and photographs, and the third room contains his personal belongings. By the way, the memorial chair presented by Hrushevsky to the village head is also located here.

Opening hours:

From Tuesday to Sunday (Monday is a day off) from 10:00 to 18:00.

Lunch break is from 13:00 to 14:00.

Ticket prices:

20 UAH - for adults

10 UAH - for children.

How can I get to Kryvorivnia?

Kryvorivnia is located near the village of Verkhovyna, so the route should be made to this village. We suggest you consider the route from the regional centre - Ivano-Frankivsk.

How do I get to Verkhovyna from Ivano-Frankivsk?

There are no trains from Verkhovyna to Ivano-Frankivsk, but buses run regularly. The first of them departs at 5:10, the last - at 19:30. The journey will take about 3 hours and the cost will range from 264 to 400 UAH.

Please note that the timetable is subject to change depending on road conditions. Find out the current bus schedule and buy tickets here.

How do I get to Verkhovyna from Lviv?

Buses depart from Lviv to Verkhovyna very early - at 4:30, 6:00 and 6:20. Therefore, we recommend taking a train or bus to Ivano-Frankivsk, and from there - to Verkhovyna according to the algorithm described above.

How do I get to Verkhovyna from Kyiv?

There are regular buses from Kyiv to Verkhovyna. You will spend about 16 hours on the road, so calculate your time so that you can check into a hotel conveniently and quickly. You can book a hotel for a comfortable stay here.

How do I get from Verkhovyna to Kryvorivnia?

There are daily buses from Verkhovyna to Kryvorivnia. The first one leaves at 10:30, the last one - at 18:25. The ticket will cost no more than 20 UAH, and you will spend 15 minutes on the way.

You can relax in the Hutsul style, feel the true taste of the Carpathians and learn about the customs of the snowy peaks in the village of Kryvorivnia by choosing a special tour from Visit Ukraine.

Entrust your trip to specialists (Telegram | WhatsApp)! The Visit Ukraine portal will help you organise your route, choose a tour to your liking, book tickets and a hotel, arrange medical insurance, and advise on the optimal period of visiting a tourist location. Travel with us!

Photo: All about tourism