The picturesque rock fortress Tustan near Lviv

The mountainous terrain of Ukraine is very picturesque and beautiful. Here, you can find the charming green forests contrasting the impressive high cliffs. You can visit the wild mountains, where a human foot has rarely stepped and find rock formations that were inhabited by our ancestors many centuries ago. Welcome to the unique monument of both nature and architecture - the picturesque rock fortress Tustan, which is one of the pearls of Western Ukraine and is located near the village of Urich, in the Lviv Region.

Tustan - the duet of nature and brilliant architecture

The name “Tustan” is a combination of two words: Tut (ref. here) and Stan (ref. stand or stop).  So the literal translation of the place's name would be "stop here". Today, the Tustan Fortress represents the remains of an ancient Russian defense complex on the rocks. At the same time, the Tustan Fortress is an interesting monument of geology, as well as a unique historical find. According to the researchers, the fortification complex was founded in the 9th century by Croats tribes as a defense and a variant of the "customs checkpoint". Through the Tustan Fortress passed the famous “Salt Road”, which transported salt from Galicia to the countries of Central Europe. Later, the impressive fortress became a border and customs center between the Galicia-Volyn principality and Hungary.

Many years of studies, based on the remains and detailed archaeological excavations, have made it possible to see the architecture of the fortress of the old times in its original state. Archaeologists have created a realistic 3D model of the defensive fortress. The unique combination of natural rocks and wooden architecture at the height of 40-80 m above the valley made the fortress inaccessible and at the same time impressive. The Tustan Fortress is a prime example of the combination of nature and brilliant architecture. If you are interested in the history of architecture, then I strongly recommend that you arrange an English-speaking excursion in advance. However, if you want to enjoy nature and see the fantastic stone cliffs by yourself, you just need to buy a ticket at the entrance and stroll through this amazing complex.

Kamianka Waterfall, on the way to the Tustan Fortress

The Tustan Fortress attracts modern tourists with its picturesque viewing platforms. If you like taking beautiful photos, you will enjoy it here. The romantic photoshoots are held here every day. Also, there is a rope park "LaZanka" in the territory of the wildlife reserve, so there is plenty to do for fans of extreme adventures. On the territory of the complex, there is a small bazaar where you can have a snack and try local flavors - wine, honey, or beer. Usually, all tourists travel to Tustan from Lviv. Almost every travel company organizes interesting sightseeing tours. If you choose such a tour, you will get one great bonus stop at the Kamianka Waterfall. It is on the way from Lviv to Tustan Fortress and, even if you are traveling alone, I recommend visiting this beautiful waterfall.

It is a natural waterfall located on the river Kamianka in the Lviv Region. Giant stone cliffs, which separate streams of water and beat them against a rocky valley, add to this hydrological memory. The picturesque rocky fortress of Tustan and the Kamianka Waterfall are the genuine pearls of the Lviv Region, so we strongly recommend that you dedicate one day to visit these unique places.