"old Halychyna" Sambir by BohdanYurkiv

Sambir Travel Guide: 0 reviews and 1 photos

Sambir is in West Ukraine in the old region called Galicia ( Halychyna ). It was a commercial town on a trade route between Europe & the East. Because of its location, primarily on the flatlands on the northern side of the Carpathian ( Karpaty ) Mts. it was on a ideal route for traders wishing to trade to the East & North of Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Sambir ( Sambor) on the banks of the great Dniester river in West Ukraine in the shadows of the Carpathian mountains with a present population of 30,000 (approx) within the old Galicia region.
It is close to my mothers birth village of Bukova, some 20 minutes by car west of Sambir.
Its city hall was built in 1605, but the city itself dated from the thirteenth century during the period of the Mongol invasions. The original "Old" Sambir was / is some kilometers west of the present Sambir at the base of the Carpathian mountains on the river Dniester. The Mongol hordes had overrun the city of Drohobych to the south/east and were heading toward "Old" Sambir. The population was expected to flee into the Carpathian mountains, but instead, they came south and regrouped at a small village on the banks of the Dniester River.
The Mongols reached "Old" Sambir and burned it to the ground, then turned toward the mountains to search out the people. The people, with great pride & simple warfare means, attacked the Mongols from the rear and defeated them.
They never resettled the original city of now named "Old Sambir" ( Staryy Sambor ), but returned to their rallying point of the village on the Dniester river that became the present Sambir. There is still the Old Sambir today ( check http://www.bohdanyurkiv.cityslide.com/page/page/186250.htm for photos ), but it bears little importance in todays governmental structure except for the fact of its beauty in the shadows of the Carpathian Mts. on the river Dniester as a sightseeing destination.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Exciting
Cons:None
In a nutshell:Great place to visit

Last visit to Sambir: Jul 2003
Intro Written Aug 19, 2003
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paulwheatman Feb 19, 2009 at 1:54 PM

Hi Bohdan - My mother was born in Biskowiach in1903 and came to America in 1912. Her last name was Sech. I visited Sambir and her village 3 years ago. Is there anyone with the name of Sech now living in your area? Thanks! Paul
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bobrosa Oct 15, 2006 at 8:40 PM

Hi Bohdan - Do you know of the village Nanova? How far from Sambir is it? My Grandmother's birthplace. Is it inhabited? I would appreciate any info you could share with me. Thanks!
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catnl Sep 8, 2003 at 7:13 AM

good start thank for sharing