Attractions of Mukachevo district

Mukachevo Castle "Palanok" - an outstanding historical and architectural monument, the ancestral home of the Transylvanian princes Rakoczi. The castle was built on a high volcanic mountain (65 m) in several stages. In the XI century. by order of King Laszlo I, a stone tower-dungeon was built on the site of ancient Russian wooden fortifications, in 1321, by the will of King Carl Robert, Italian masters expanded the fortress, in 1394, Prince Fedor Koriatovych, expelled from Podillya, undertook reconstruction. , and the current appearance of the fortress acquired in the XVII century. by György I Rakoczi. The castle controlled trade routes through the Veretsky Pass, which connected the Middle Danube Valley with Eastern Europe. The outer lines of defense included a moat, a shaft and a fence (palanquin), which gave the name to the whole castle. The bridge led to the Lower Castle through a dry moat, in the Middle Castle there was an area for celebrations, in the Upper Castle there were princely chambers and a siege well (86 m). The fortress withstood many sieges. The most famous defense in 1685-88. headed by Ilona Zrini, widow of Ferenc Rakoczi. For three years it repulsed the attacks of the Austrians, who were able to force the garrison to surrender only by cunning. For a long time the castle was a stronghold of the Hungarian national liberation struggle under the leadership of her son Ferenc II Rakoczi. Monuments to both of them have been erected. Under the Austrians, there was a prison for political prisoners, and under Soviet rule - various institutions. Since 1993, the premises of Mukachevo Castle are occupied by a historical museum and art gallery. You can relax and have a snack in the cozy cafe. A wine tasting hall of the Chizay brand was opened in the castle cellars.