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Dubno Castle is a powerful 15th-17th century fortress founded by Prince Konstantin Ostrogski, never taken by storm thanks to 73 cannons and strategic location above the Ikva River.

Dubno Castle is located on a picturesque promontory above the Ikva River in the city of Dubno, Rivne Oblast. This magnificent complex is one of the best-preserved Renaissance castles in Ukraine and is included in the list of seven wonders of Ukrainian castles. The castle was founded in 1492 by prominent Ukrainian military leader and hetman Prince Konstantin Ostrogski. Initially it was a wooden fortress, but at the beginning of the 16th century under Lithuanian rule it was rebuilt into a powerful stone stronghold. The complex included a church, a two-story palace and an impressive arsenal of 73 cannons, making it the most powerful fortress in the region. It was here that the legendary treasury of the Ostroh family was kept — one of the richest collections in Eastern Europe. These treasures repeatedly attracted Crimean Tatars who attacked the castle at least twice in 1577 alone, but could not capture the impregnable fortress. The last representative of the Ostroh family, Prince Janusz, conducted large-scale modernization of the castle in the early 17th century using Italian-style 'trace itallienne' fortification. His Renaissance palace is preserved to this day and is a pearl of the complex's architecture. Today, Dubno Castle is a museum complex with unique exhibitions: history of torture and punishment, hunting, archaeology, ethnography and Cossack glory. The castle offers tours, including night tours considered the best in Ukraine.

Historical Significance

Dubno Castle was founded in 1492 by Prince Konstantin Ostrogski on a promontory above the Ikva River, not far from the ancient Ruthenian fort of Dubno. Ostrogski chose this strategic location to build a new residence for his family that would become a powerful fortress on Volhynian lands. At the beginning of the 16th century, when the city was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the wooden castle was rebuilt into a stone fortress. The complex included a church, a two-story palace and a powerful arsenal. The Ostroh treasury stored priceless treasures: gold and silver utensils, books, paintings, icons, weapons, furs and trophies from numerous battles. The fortress gained a reputation as impregnable. Even Crimean Tatars who repeatedly attacked the castle (at least twice in 1577 alone) could not capture it thanks to powerful fortifications and 73 cannons.

Highlights

• ✓One of seven wonders of Ukrainian castles
• ✓Only castle never taken by storm
• ✓73 cannons for defense
• ✓8 museum exhibitions
• ✓Best night tour in Ukraine
• ✓Palace of Prince Janusz Ostrogski
• ✓Torture chamber with authentic instruments
• ✓Hunting museum with rare exhibits

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