Rakhiv

This church is one of the two Transcarpathian churches of Hutsul style which have cruciform floorplan. Four sections around the central section form the Greek cross. The four sections are covered with doubly sloped roofs while the central chamber has an octahedral drum covered with steep tent roof. One version tells that church was constructed in the village of Yablonytsia, today Ivano-Frankivsk region, and in winter of 1871 it was taken apart and transported in sledge to Plytovatiy. It is more trustworthy to accept 1872 as erection year according to the inscription on the door post.

Two wooden churches are preserved in the Rumanian village. The upper church belongs to the most ancient wooden churches of the river Tysa valley and of Ukraine. The oak logworks are the oldest parts (1428) and the structure over them was raised in about 1600. In 1760 another reconstruction took place. The severe monumental forms of the church resemble medieval Romanesque buildings. The dark manful silhouette of the church stands out against the sky. This church is one of the few wooden chuches with murals. Four-level iconostasis dates from 1761. There is a wooden framework bell-tower near the church and an interesting wooden crucufixion.

Situated almost in the center of the town, it offers the services of accommodation, catering, tourist–excursion servicing. Active types of leisure dominate: during wintertime – skiing, during summertime – foot and bus trips, walks, tourist hikes to the mountains to pick mushrooms and wild berries. Visitors are also offered: mountain-skiing elevator, rental agency of tourist equipment, sauna, billiards – bar, internet – club, hairdresser’s, video – saloon, bureau du change.

Strukivska tserkva is named after Ivan Struk, the founder of the village,who once built a chapel on the site of the present day church and this place is considered holy by local inhabitants. The church of Ascention is one of the most perfect wooden churches in the whole Hutsul region. On the door post one can see a composition of three crosses and the date of construction — 1824. Inside a wonderful iconostasis is preserved. 11 metres high bell tower occupies its place among the best monuments of Transcarpathian folk architecture for its high architectural and artistic qualities. A story tells that bell tower was transferred to the Strukivska church in 1895 from another church that burnt down in the northern part of the village. On the upper door post the date of construction — 1813 is carved.