One of the oldest wooden churches has been restored in the Lviv region

In the village of Isaia in the Lviv region, one of the oldest wooden churches in Ukraine has been restored — the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, built in 1663. The restoration preserved the authenticity of the structures and ancient murals. Learn how cultural heritage has been preserved for future generations

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The Lviv region has long been famous for its ancient wooden churches, which are an invaluable part of Ukraine's cultural and spiritual heritage. Some of them, such as St. George's Cathedral in Drohobych, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. However, many unique shrines still need care and preservation, as wood cannot withstand the test of time.

Revival of a 17th-century shrine

In the village of Isaia, in the Turka region, one of the oldest wooden churches in the Boiko region has been restored — the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, built in 1663. The solemn consecration of the renovated shrine took place on November 9, 2025.

According to Yuriy Kholod, acting head of the Lviv Regional Council, the church is an architectural monument of national importance. It has preserved its authentic structures, ancient 19th-century murals, 15th-17th-century icons, and 18th-century banners, making it a true treasure of Ukrainian sacred architecture.

Restoration work on the church began in 2018, when the building was declared unsafe. More than 4.8 million hryvnias were allocated from the regional budget for the restoration of the building itself, and another 5 million were allocated for the restoration of the unique murals.

A team led by restorer Oleg Rishnyak worked on the restoration of the frescoes in collaboration with teachers and students from the Ivan Trush Lviv College of Decorative and Applied Arts. The work took three years to complete.

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A symbol of cultural heritage revival

During the restoration, specialists thoroughly cleaned the surfaces of dust and layers, reinforced the paint layer, gesso, and wooden base, while preserving the authenticity and spirit of antiquity.

The restoration of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Isai is not only an example of successful restoration, but also a symbol of the preservation of the national identity and spiritual culture of Ukrainians. Thanks to the joint efforts of the community, specialists, and authorities, the ancient shrine has reopened its doors to believers and tourists, reminding us that respect for the past is a step into the future.

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Take a tour of Lviv region, visit authentic Boiko churches, medieval castles, cozy mountain villages, and the picturesque Carpathian Mountains. Choose from ready-made tourist routes or create your own — we will help you organize a trip that will inspire you and give you a true love for Ukraine.

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Remember! Ukraine's sacred architecture is not only magnificent temples, but also living history, combining faith, art and a thousand-year-old culture. From mountain monasteries to the majestic cathedrals of Kyiv and Lviv, each shrine preserves a unique atmosphere of time. Read about the oldest churches and monasteries that are worth seeing during tours from Visit Ukraine here.

Photo: facebook.com/yuriy.kholod

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