Skole

A church in Skole

Skole (Ukrainian: Сколе) is a city in the Lviv Oblast (province) of Ukraine. It is administrative center of the Skole Raion. As of 2001, the population is 6,742.^{[citation needed]}

History

The first official date recorded for Skole was in the year 1397. A very important route from Kiev to Hungary ran through Skole; as a result, it was frequently fought over by other nations. When the Skole region was under Polish rule, the Polish king parceled out the land among the Polish nobility. German colonists, particularly craftspeople, who settled in the Skole region promoted the development of it economy. A great influence on the economy and cultural development of the region was Baron Groedl and his family. In Skole, the coins of Baron Groedl were used. They were minted at Vien, a mint which continued to be in use until 1930.

Modern Skole is a small town at the center of Skole district, with favorable conditions for the tourist trade.

Region

• The area of the Skole Raion is 1,474 km² (569 sq mi).
• The population is 50,188 persons.
• The district consists of 57 villages.

There are many notable places in the Skole region. The village of Grebeniv, for example, was once renowned for its sanitarium where Metropolit Sheptytskyy and prime minister Cherchel were treated. Verchne Synevydne is the first remembrance in the Galician–Volhynian Chronicle (1240). This history is concerned with the person of Danylo Galytskyy.

Tustan'

About 25 million years ago in the Neogene period of the Cenozoic era, the sandstone Carpathian mountains were formed. Some of them emerged on the Earth's surface. In geology they are known as Iamna sandstone (named for the village of Iamna). The complex consists of Kamin’ (stone), Ostryy Kamin’ (sharp stone), Mala Skelia (small rocks), Zholob (gutter). In some places sandstone formed into monoliths, and in other places as chaotic rocks. There are many cracks, burdens and caves; some man-made.

The sandstone was subject to erosion, creating exotic shapes (“Chotyry Veletni” or Four Giants, “Try Pal’tsi” or Three Fingers, “Chotyry Spysy” or Four Lances, and “Orel” or Eagle); there are many myths and legends pertaining to these rock formations.

In 3000 B.C. a sanctuary was built on these rocks. Scientists discovered 270 petroglyphs. From the 9th to the 13th centuries, the fortress of Tustan' existed on these rocks. 4,000 grooves and glades have been discovered. An outline of the fortifications has been reconstructed at the site.

The sandstone in Urych is a natural phenomenon with scientific, recreational, aesthetic, historical and cultural value. At present the Tustan' sandstone formations is a state history and cultural reserve visited every year by more than 3,000 people.

See also

• Slavsko
• Skolye (Hasidic dynasty)

External links

• Skole in Ukrainian language
• Skole Region in Ukrainian language, page UYC - Ukrainian Youth for Christ in Skole