A hidden room beneath Galician Castle in western Ukraine has been opened for the first time in nearly three centuries.
After more than a year of careful excavation by a team from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, this remarkable discovery reveals a forgotten part of the medieval fortress’s history in Halych, western Ukraine.
Sealed since the 17th century, a mysterious room beneath a Ukrainian castle has finally been opened. The discovery raises more questions than answers.
Originating back to the 12 century, Galician Castle (also known as Starasta Castle) was initially constructed as a wooden stronghold on the cliffs above the Dniester River. Before long, the structure had become a key part of the region’s defence system.
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It was then rebuilt with stone during the reign of Casimir III the Great and later redesigned in the early 1600s by Italian architect Francisco Corazzini.
In 1676, during the Turkish-Polish War, a brutal attack led to the castle's decline.
Ottoman forces led by Ibrahim Shah of Jahar used cannon fire to demolish parts of the structure, including a tower that would later conceal the entrance to the underground chamber. According to Heritage Daily, the first clues of the hidden room surfaced in 2023.
Vladimir Oleynik, Director General of the Ancient Galich National Reserve, reported finding a ventilation shaft beneath the tower ruins, which indicated the presence of a hidden chamber. However, accessing the site proved extremely difficult.
To avoid damaging any fragile remains, archaeologists removed over 150 cubic metres of debris by hand.
“This part of the castle had been completely cut off since the explosion,” Oleynik explained. “No heavy machinery could be used, so it was all done manually.”
Once cleared, the chamber revealed a dim and soot-darkened interior.
The researchers found signs that suggest it may have functioned as a casemate, which is a fortified gunpost used to store or fire weapons.
The presence of a ventilation shaft supports this theory, the team said, possibly designed to clear smoke from cannon or musket fire.
Adding to the curiosity, the archaeologists found a small gap in one of the stone walls, which could point to a potential tunnel. This ties in with local legends that speak of a vast underground network running beneath the fortress and extending into the surrounding landscape.
While public access remains restricted, archaeologists are continuing their investigation. If confirmed, the tunnel could reveal an even broader system of subterranean structures, adding a new layer to the castle’s complex history.