Rovno was first mentioned in 1283 as one of the inhabited places of Halych-Volynia. Through years it has undergone many ordeals. I different times it was under German, Ukrainian, Bolshevik and Polish forces.
Ancient chronicles date its first mention back to1282. In the 14th century Rovno became an important trade city and then obtained Magdeburg Rights (an autonomous administration form of government first began in Magdeburg).

Every district in the Rovno region is a treasury of history and tradition. For instance, Prince Igors oak tree (Ukraines oldest) grows here, dated at more than 1300 years old!

However, the regions tourist highlight is considered to be the Golden Ring of Polissia: Korets-Ostrog-Dubno. Korets, more than 850-year-old, is called Volyn Mecca due to its great number of churches. From 1612-1619 philologist Laurenty Zyzan, author of the Slavonic church grammar (book of church standards) lived here. Among the local historic monuments are the 14th century Koretskyi castle and St. Trinity womens cloister. It is interesting that since the time of its foundation (1620) it never ceased to exist under any authority.

Dubno is one of Ukraines oldest cities, a fortress-city during the late middle ages. The highlights of the State Historic and Cultural Reserve are a castle dating back to the 16th century, The Holy Transfiguration Cathedral from the 17th century and the Lutsk Gates from the 15th 16th centuries, which was the foundation of the citys stronghold.

A contemporary of Dubno, Ostrog is proudly called Volyn Athens. In the 14th 15th centuries this city was Ukraines scientific and cultural centre. In 1576 Europes first Slavonic-Greek-Latin academy was established and it was considered very prestigious to study here. In Ostrog in 1581 the first Greek-Slavonic Primer and Slavonic Ostrog Gospel were printed. In modern Ostrog its also interesting to visit the State Historic and Cultural Reserve. It includes an historical museum, museum of books and printing and an amazing numismatic exhibition.
Visit to Nature

You can learn the history of the city and region at the Rovno Regional Museum of Local Art, Architecture and Lore. This museum also has a unique collection of Volyn icons from the 13th-18th centuries.

The wooden mid-18th century Assumption Church, and also the Holy Resurrection and Holy Assumption Cathedrals some of Western Ukraines biggest are impressive in their grandeur. After an excursion through the city take a walk in Taras Shevchenko Park. This luxurious monument of horticultural art, covering about 30 hectares, is a favorite place for locals to relax.

You can find sophisticated presents in Rovno like amber adornments and decorations combined with silver and gold from the Burshtyn (Amber) jewelry factory. The local light yellow and green amber is famous beyond the borders of this region. It was even used as fragments in the renovation of the famous Amber Room in Russia. This factory has its own amber museum, and in its retail location you can buy exclusive amber necklaces, bracelets, boxes or pictures.