The Camino Podolico, an official section of the famous European pilgrimage route Camino de Santiago, begins in Vinnytsia. The full route stretches for more than 250 kilometres, but you do not need to complete the entire multi-day journey to Kamianets-Podilskyi to experience life as a pilgrim.
For anyone who feels uncertain about their abilities or would simply like to try the experience first, we offer the Demo Camino format – a one-day hike from Vinnytsia to Selyshche (15 km), or to Hnivan (25.8 km), following a picturesque route along the Southern Bug River. All you need is a backpack, comfortable footwear, water, and a light snack.
And all the authentic Camino elements remain in place! At the starting point, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels, you can receive a Demo Camino Podolico Credencial in the form of a postcard. Along the route, collect either two stamps (Vinnytsia and Selyshche) or three stamps (Vinnytsia, Selyshche, and Hnivan) as proof of completion. In the evening, you can comfortably return to Vinnytsia by regular bus.
This experience is guaranteed to help you disconnect from everyday life and create memories that will stay with you for years. It may even inspire you to return and complete the entire Camino Podolico route.
The route can be completed either on foot or by bicycle. For convenience, you can use the electronic route tracking, where the cycling route is marked in green and the walking route in yellow.
You can also find all the information and recommendations you need to prepare for your journey at caminopodolico.net.
What to see along the route
1. Castle Hill (Zamkova Hora)
The site of the Vinnytsia Castle, which stood here approximately between 1512 and 1580. Built entirely of wood, the fortress featured five towers and two defensive walls filled with sand and earth between them, making it highly resistant to sieges, including artillery attacks. A reconstruction of the castle can be seen on the information panel located at the Old Town Bridge. Geolocation.
2. St. Nicholas Church
The oldest Orthodox church in Vinnytsia (1746). It is a remarkable example of traditional Ukrainian wooden Baroque sacred architecture, featuring the characteristic three-domed, three-part design. Fewer than a dozen churches of this type have survived in Ukraine without major alterations during the 19th and 20th centuries. Geolocation.
3. Kaspich Rocks
A former granite quarry situated on the left bank of the Southern Bug River. The rocks are named after mountaineer Vadym Kaspich, who developed the area in the 1990s and helped make it a popular destination for climbers. Geolocation.
4. Sabariv Forest and Kotsiubynskyi’s Stone
The Camino Podolico follows part of the ecological trail known as «Kotsiubynskyi’s Path» through Sabariv Forest. Here you can enjoy the tranquillity of ancient trees and the beauty of the Southern Bug while exploring places that inspired the renowned Ukrainian writer Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi nearly 150 years ago. According to local legend, Sabariv was one of his favourite places to write, far from the noise of the city. Geolocation.
5. Holy Dormition Church in Prybuzke
A wooden church built in the Classical style. Originally constructed in 1751 and reconstructed in 1855, it features a cruciform floor plan and stands prominently on a hilltop, making it easy to spot from a distance. Geolocation.
6. Remains of the Cherlenkiv Castle in Selyshche
A fortified residence built in the 17th century on the lands of the Kmita-Cherlenkivskyi noble family. In the mid-18th century, it passed to the Szczeniowski family, who strengthened the fortress and stationed a garrison there. After the Bar Confederation, Russian troops destroyed the castle, and it was never rebuilt. Today, only the ruins of a tower, formerly serving as the family mausoleum, remain. Geolocation.
7. St. Joseph’s Sanctuary in Hnivan
A Neo-Gothic church built between 1903 and 1906 through the efforts of local priests, benefactor Karolina Yaroshynska, and parishioners. After the establishment of Soviet rule, the church was closed in 1935 and later converted into part of the Hnivan Bearing Factory in 1958. Its original appearance was restored only after Ukraine regained independence. Geolocation.
Where to collect stamps
1. Vinnytsia – Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels (12 Soborna Street). Geolocation.
This is where you can receive your Demo Camino Credential.
Opening hours: Daily, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Phone: +38 067 840 93 95 (parish office)
2. Selyshche – Selyshche Village Council (104-A Dmytrivska Street). Geolocation.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(weekend visits possible by prior arrangement)
Phone:
+38 096 659 07 92 (Olena Vasylivna)
+38 097 124 91 30 (Olha Anatoliivna)
3. Hnivan – St. Joseph’s Sanctuary (43 Soborna Street). Geolocation.
Opening hours: Daily, 12 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Phone: +38 050 419 64 97 (Father Arkadiusz).
How to return to Vinnytsia
From either Hnivan or Selyshche, you can return to Vinnytsia by regular bus or minibus. Connections operate daily approximately every 15-30 minutes, from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Bus stop geolocation in Selyshche - Geolocation.
Bus stop geolocation in Hnivan - Geolocation.