Kremenets Catacombs

Three kilometres of tunnels carved into the mountain. Some chambers stretch fifty metres wide. Six centuries ago, the stone hewn here built the walls of an impregnable fortress. Today it is the domain of hibernating bats and torch-bearing explorers.

The Kremenets Catacombs (also known as the Kremenets Quarries) are a man-made underground labyrinth beneath Mount Sychivka — one of the most intriguing off-the-beaten-path sites in Ternopil region. This is no natural cave: it is the cumulative work of human hands over centuries, cutting building stone from the hillside and leaving behind a maze where it is easy to lose your way and hard not to believe in legends.

Location card

What it is and why people make the trip

The catacombs are quarry tunnels — subterranean workings from which building stone was extracted for centuries. The explored passages stretch three kilometres into the mountain, widening in places to fifty metres: genuine underground halls. Inside, the temperature stays cool year-round, and a silence so complete it rings in your ears.

The site draws underground explorers, spelunkers, history buffs, and anyone with a taste for the mysterious. Several bat species hibernate in the caves each winter, making this a valuable natural habitat as well. In recent years the area has been cleared up and the site has grown steadily more popular with travellers.

The history of the catacombs goes back to the 14th century: stone was first quarried at the foot of Mount Sychivka for the construction of the castle above, then later for gravestones in local cemeteries.

History: stone, castle, and two theories

No precise founding date for the Kremenets catacombs has been recorded, but quarrying here is known to date from the 14th century. There are two main theories about where the stone was destined.

The first links the tunnels to the local Jewish community: a large Jewish cemetery stands near the quarry entrance, and the matzevot (Jewish headstones — upright grave markers) for it were cut directly from the hillside. The second holds that this same stone built the walls of the famous Kremenets Castle (Queen Bona’s fortress) on the adjacent Castle Hill. Both theories are likely true: the mountain supplied stone for sacred and defensive purposes alike.

The legend of Queen Bona’s treasure

No story about Kremenets is complete without the Italian-born queen who ruled from the Polish throne — Bona Sforza.

When Bona left Kremenets in 1556 after the death of her husband, King Sigismund I, the legend holds that she could not carry all her riches back to Italy — and hid part of her treasure in the castle’s secret underground chambers or in a deep well.

Treasure hunters have stormed Castle Hill and the catacombs for centuries, and found nothing. Yet the legend endures: it turns every dark corridor into a possible gold vault. What if they were searching in the wrong place?

What to see

The underground halls and galleries. The widest sections of the labyrinth, with smooth walls still bearing the marks of the quarrymen’s tools.

The bat colony. In winter, bats roost here in numbers — disturbing them is off limits, but spotting them from a distance without flash is a genuine thrill.

Kremenets Castle next door. The natural continuation of the visit: Bona’s fortress on Castle Hill, with sweeping panoramic views over the town.

How to get there

By car: about 70 km from Ternopil to Kremenets. In town, head for Mount Sychivka; the catacomb entrances are at its base.

By public transport: buses run to Kremenets from Ternopil and other towns; continue on foot from the bus stop.

Important: do not enter the labyrinth alone without knowing the tunnels — it is very easy to get disoriented. Go with a local guide or an organised group.

Traveller’s checklist

• ✅ Powerful torch + a backup (and a power bank)
• ✅ Warm layers — underground temperature stays cool year-round
• ✅ A local guide or experienced group
• ✅ Sturdy, closed-toe footwear
• ❌ Do not venture deep alone without knowing the tunnels
• ❌ Do not disturb the bats or shine light directly on them

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to visit the catacombs?

The labyrinth is large and it is easy to get lost alone. Visit with a guide or group, bring reliable lighting, and dress warmly.

How old are the catacombs?

Quarrying here began in the 14th century, making the workings more than six hundred years old.

Is Queen Bona’s treasure really hidden here?

It is a legend. No treasure has ever been found, but the story is precisely what gives the catacombs their irresistible air of mystery.

The Kremenets Catacombs are a mountain turned inside out: the stone that built castles and carved gravestones left behind three kilometres of darkness and silence. Step inside with a torch — and six centuries of quarrymen’s labour, plus one stubborn legend, will breathe right down your neck.