Korostyshiv

Korostyshiv stood on the Teteriv in the Lithuanian Ruthenian lands. Written references begin in 1399. Its early connection with Zhytomyr castle involved guard duty, work on the fortifications and tribute in honey. In 1499 Grand Duke Alexander granted the settlement to the Kmita family; the Olizars acquired it in the sixteenth century and developed it as their residence.

A castle was built in 1602 and a bridge across the Teteriv in 1634. New Korostyshiv hosted fairs and markets, while the old settlement contained artisans and farming households. The upheavals of the seventeenth century repeatedly damaged the town: it became a Cossack company centre in 1649 and was destroyed by Stefan Czarniecki's troops in 1653. Economic recovery followed. By 1777 eight annual fairs were held, and in 1779 the town received Magdeburg rights. The second partition of Poland brought Russian rule in 1793, followed by its designation as a volost centre in 1797.