Originally established as the village of Żabie in 1424, Verkhovyna lies along the Chornyi Cheremosh River in Ukraine’s Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. It belonged to Poland between 1919 and 1939, which is when it became a popular tourist destination. Verkhovyna is located in a region of the Carpathian Mountains that’s long been a centre for Hutsul culture and is clustered with museums showcasing the ethnic group’s lifestyle, traditions and beliefs.
Things to do in Verkhovyna
Occupying a two-storey wooden building in the heart of Verkhovyna is the Hutsul Museum, which was founded in 1938 to showcase Hutsul culture. Browse the exhibitions of folk costumes and traditional embroidery on display, together with pottery, wooden objects and historical documents. Hands-on workshops making Hutsul carpets are regularly held at the museum.
Also not to miss is the Museum of Musical Instruments, which is based on the private collection of Roman Kumlyk and boasts an impressive range of traditional instruments and musical objects. In addition to demonstrating how the instruments sound, the museum staff also encourage visitors to try playing them. Performances of Hutsul music are occasionally held at the museum.
If you’re interested in Hutsul mythology, head to the Muzey Hutsulʹsʹkoyi Mahiyi where you can learn about the group’s traditional beliefs. See some of the natural products that have been used as traditional medicine and their importance to Hutsul health, then hear stories of locals who are believed to have supernatural powers.
Getting around Verkhovyna
Verkhovyna is a 1.5-hour drive from Kolomyya and two hours from Chernivtsi while Ivano-Frankivsk is 2.5 hours away. Ivano-Frankivsk International Airport is around two hours from Verkhovyna and has regular flights to Kyiv. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Verkhovyna and the town is small enough to explore on foot.