The Lviv region, in western Ukraine, is renowned for its collection of centuries-old wooden churches – architectural treasures of the Carpathians, some of which, like the St. George’s Church in Drohobych, are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Now, another gem of Boyko wooden architecture has been brought back to life. On November 9, 2025, the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in the village of Isayi, located in the Turka district, was officially reopened and consecrated after a years-long restoration.
Built in 1663, the church is one of the oldest surviving wooden sanctuaries in the Boyko region. It retains its original timber structure, 19th-century wall paintings, and icons dating back to the 15th and 17th centuries, along with 18th-century church banners.
“This unique wooden church is a monument of national significance that has preserved its authentic design and artistic heritage,” said Yuriy Kholod, Acting Head of the Lviv Regional Council, in a statement following the reopening.
A six-year restoration effort
Restoration began in 2018, after the structure was declared unsafe. The Lviv regional government allocated over ₴4.8 million (approx. €110,000) for the church’s structural restoration, while an additional ₴5 million was dedicated to restoring its rare interior murals.
The wall paintings were carefully revived by restorer Oleh Rishniak, together with faculty and students from the Ivan Trush Lviv College of Decorative and Applied Arts. Their painstaking work took three years to complete.
The renewed Church of St. Michael now stands as a remarkable example of how Ukraine continues to safeguard its cultural and spiritual heritage, even amid the challenges of time and circumstance — preserving the wooden soul of the Carpathians for future generations.
Photo from Yuriy.Kholod Facebook page.
