Kryłów

Kryłów is a historic village located in eastern Poland within the Lublin Voivodeship, situated very close to the border with Ukraine. Administered under Gmina Mircze in Hrubieszów County, the settlement is renowned for its medieval castle, which stands on an island in the Bug River. Originally constructed in the 14th century by J. Ostroróg, the fortress served as a vital place of refuge for local residents during frequent Tatar raids. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the site functioned as the seat of the prominent Ostroróg family before passing to the Radziejowski, Prażmowski, Chrzanowski, and Horodyski families. During the 17th century, the Radziejowski family significantly extended the structure and added military reinforcements to enhance its defensive capabilities.

The historical narrative of Kryłów is marked by both architectural evolution and profound tragedy. While the castle was largely destroyed in the mid-17th century, the village continued to thrive, notably hosting a substantial Jewish community that numbered 750 individuals in 1921. This community maintained traditional crafts and religious life until the German occupation in 1939. Tragically, the Jewish population was decimated during the Holocaust in 1942, with victims sent to the Belzec extermination camp or murdered locally. Today, the castle ruins remain in a state of disrepair and have not yet undergone comprehensive archaeological investigation. Despite its dilapidated condition, the site retains a strong cultural presence, locally famous for legends claiming it is haunted by the ghost of a former owner's daughter.