The old wooden Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vorokhta is one of those shrines that seem to hold the memory of the entire region. It stands on a hill in the centre of the village and immediately catches the eye with its distinctive Hutsul silhouette: a small wooden church with harmonious proportions, surrounded by silence and mountains. It is one of the most remarkable examples of traditional wooden sacral architecture in Hutsulshchyna and is recognised as a monument of national importance.
According to one version, the church was originally built in the 17th century in the village of Yablunytsia, and in 1780 it was moved to Vorokhta and placed above a new cemetery. Later, in 1860, the church was relocated once again to the spot where it stands today. Despite its age and several relocations, the building has preserved its original composition and wooden character: during the restoration of 1979–1980 it was not covered in concrete or metal sheets, as happened with many other churches, but remained in wood.
Inside the church you can still see 19th-century wall paintings and carved wooden details. The interior feels simple and restrained, yet very beautiful: nothing superfluous, just old icons, warm timber and soft light streaming through small windows. The separate bell tower is also noteworthy — it now houses a small museum where visitors can see church books, old photographs and items connected with the history of the parish and the local community.
There used to be a cemetery around the old church, and the entrance to it was flanked by two large stones. Some believe these are so-called menhirs — stones that have long been used to mark sacred places. They add an extra sense of antiquity and sanctity to this hill. Despite its two-hundred-year history, the church is still alive: services were revived here in independent Ukraine, in particular thanks to the Studite monks from Dora.
The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not only an architectural monument, but also a special place of quiet in the middle of resort-town Vorokhta. It is worth stepping in on your way to a walk or when returning from the mountains — to pause for a few minutes, look at the wooden walls that have seen centuries pass, and feel how the quiet history of the Carpathians resonates with the present-day life of the village.
Where is located
Vorokhta, Ivano-Frankivsk region.
