On a high hill overlooking the Svytenka River stand the ruins of Novomalyn Castle or rather, what remains of it. Rising above the surrounding landscape, the ruins still give the impression that they could serve as a defensive stronghold for the nearby settlement. It is one of the most distinctive landmarks of the Ostroh region and is officially designated as an architectural monument of national significance.
The history of Novomalyn is closely connected with the Princes of Ostroh. The settlement formed part of their estates and later received Magdeburg rights, which encouraged its development as a centre of trade and craftsmanship. According to tradition, the first castle was built at the beginning of the fifteenth century by Prince Švitrigaila. It was surrounded by deep water-filled moats, while its massive defensive walls and towers made it an important fortress in the south-eastern part of Volyn.
Over the centuries, the castle underwent numerous reconstructions. In the seventeenth century, the Malynski family built a magnificent palace next to the fortress. During this period, the character of the complex gradually changed. It lost much of its military and defensive function and evolved into a residential estate where comfort and representational prestige became more important than fortification. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Sosnowski family remodelled the complex in the Romantic Neo-Gothic style. At that time, an elegant family chapel was constructed. It has survived to the present day and remains one of the most striking elements of the ensemble. Its interior was once decorated with marble sculptures created by Tomasz Sosnowski.
The beauty of Novomalyn Castle was immortalised in the nineteenth century by the artist Napoleon Orda. His drawings allow us to imagine how vibrant and architecturally sophisticated the complex was before its destruction.
The castle suffered its greatest losses during the Second World War. The once magnificent fortress and palace were reduced to picturesque ruins, which continue to impress visitors with their scale and unique atmosphere. At the foot of the hill, remnants of the historic park that once surrounded the residence have also survived.
Despite these losses, Novomalyn Castle remains one of the most valuable historical monuments in the Rivne region. In 1994, a scientific restoration and adaptive reuse project was developed, but it has never been implemented.
Today, the castle ruins are an important stop along the “In the Footsteps of the Princes of Ostroh” tourist route, preserving the memory of the region’s centuries-old history and noble heritage.