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Ecomuseum in East Central Alberta, Canada
Photo: Hugh Lee, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kalyna Country is a rural region of Alberta to the east of Elk Island National Park on either side of the North Saskatchewan River, straddling the Lakeland of Northern Alberta and the eastern portion of Central Alberta . The region marked by its history of Austrian, Polish, Romanian, and especially Ukrainian settlement and immigration. Here one is "behind the garlic curtain" in the "borshch belt" of Canada. This is the region where the first Ukrainians settled in Canada in 1892, followed by thousands of others.
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Dedicated to the order of Ukrainian monks who came to Canada to serve as priests to the Ukrainian population when the Roman Catholic hierarchy wouldn't allow any married Eastern Catholic priests in Canada. Also has good general information on Ukrainian culture and immigration to Canada.
Victoria District National Historic Site of Canada, Pakan
A living-history museum showing the fur trade post of Fort Victoria and the settlement that grew up around it.
This award-winning provincial historic site showcases Ukrainian settlement in East Central Alberta. There are over 30 historic buildings including three churches, a fully-functioning grain elevator, blacksmith shop, and sod hut, all enlivened by costumed interpreters. Weekends are busier, however the crowds can be worth it with more interpreters on hand and often more things going on.
A Métis Nation-owned-and-operated historic site, campground, and rental venue. Includes 21 campsites with electrical hookups, 20 tenting sites, firewood & showers, guided site tours, picnic facilities and RV parking.
Beaverhill Natural Area
The extensive shoreline and variety of marshes, fields and aspen woods adjoining the lake provide a wide range of habitats. Beaverhill Lake is especially known for the diversity of its bird species. It's site of the Beaverhill Lake Bird Observatory, with bird-banding operations since the 1980s.
[Download the tour map https://files.townlife.com/public/uploads/documents/12997/churchtourbooklet.05.pdf] or get a paper copy from the county office in the town of Lamont. The county is home to 40 historic churches, the most per capita in North America, and therefore claims the title Church Capital of North America. Buildings from Ukrainian Catholic, Roman Catholic, United (Presbyterian-Methodist), Ukrainian Orthodox, Orthodox Church of America, Russo-Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Moravian, and Pentacostal churches are included.
Alberta's oldest fully restored barbershop and pool hall.
Shotgun-only gun range with 20 station walk-through course plus trap and skeet field.
Family-owned Ukrainian food company and producer of world famous Mundare sausage, a Ukrainian garlic ham sausage (or Kielbasa). Also sells over 80 prepared meat and Ukrainian food products.
En Santé Winery
Alberta’s very first (and still only) organic fruit cottage winery. Birds & Bees may be the northernmost organic fruit orchard and winery and meadery in the world.
Most people with arrive via the Yellowhead Highway from Edmonton in the west or Lloydminster in the east. Edmonton is the closest international airport.
Read in the guideOnly a private automobile can get you around this region, except once per year when the eco-museum trust puts on a coach tour.
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Edmonton · International · YEG
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