Nestling at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, the erstwhile Austria-Hungarian Empire town of Mukacheve now distinguishes itself as a growing getaway destination for many Eastern Europeans. Escape from the daily routine by exploring the city’s beautiful mountain scenery or sit on the terrace of a city café in the main square of the Old Town. History and culture abound in Mukacheve’s well-kept Palanok Castle, which dates to medieval times. For a healthy thermal bath, set out for Beregove or, after exploring the city’s history and local charms, relax with a wine tasting at one of several local vineyards.

Day 1. Palanok Castle

Protected by massive walls and turrets, 16th-century Palanok Castle has long been the main landmark of the Transcarpathian region. Much of its old fortifications and battlements remain, ensuring a truly fascinating day of sightseeing. The old fortress now houses the local History Museum and an art gallery.

Day 2. Wines and Fairytales Tour

Learn about the art of local winemaking while visiting the 500-year-old Leanka cellars. After the wine tasting, visit the ruins of the impressive Knights Templar Castle or visit the Nevytska Fortress to plunge into the romantic medieval atmosphere that abides there.

Hot Tip!

Schedule a trip for the beginning of May to watch Mukacheve’s cherry trees bloom, or at the beginning of January to take part in Mukacheve’s annual red wine festival.

Sights

City Hall

Right out the window of the Star Hotel across the street is the Mukacheve city hall, designed by Hungarian architect Janos Babula Jr. and completed in 1904. The construction workers sealed a letter in the foundation of the clock tower on 23 June 1903 which stated that the city had 14,416 inhabitants and 1,553 buildings. The main entrance of the city hall building is decorated with a much-admired carillon and clock tower.
Peace Sq.

The Rakoczi Residence

Previously owned by the Rakoczi and Schoenborn families, the “White House” of Mukacheve was intended to be the urban residence of the aristocratic Rakoczi family. The palace’s current nickname stems from its white facades inlaid with decorative red markings on its corners. The present-day view is the result of improvements made by Austrian architect Johann Balthazar Neumann at the request of Count Erwin Schoenborn. The most striking features of the building are its Baroque-styled entrance and open-air stairways running from the main entrance. Today the building exists as a children’s art school.
26-28 Peace St.

St. Martin’s Gothic Chapel

St. Martin’s is one of the oldest examples of sacral wooden architecture in the Transcarpathian region. The chapel initially served as the altar of an older Gothic church and is today a valuable memorial to classic medieval Gothic architecture. Of special interest are some of its window frame details with their rich ornamentation, the chapel’s coloured lead panels and the Gothic-style vaulted ceilings.
51 Peace St.

Orthodox Monastery of Mukacheve

This Orthodox Christian shrine atop Monk Hill near Mukacheve is one of the oldest in Ukraine. A popular local legend suggests that the first people to inhabit the spot were a group of monks back in the 11th century who gave the hill its current name.

Schoenborn Family Hunting Lodge

This picturesque Schoenborn Family Hunting Lodge, built by Count Buchheim Schoenborn in 1890, was designed to reflect the details of the astronomical year in its architecture: it boasts 365 windows, 52 rooms and 12 entrances. In terms of its architecture, the building resembles those of the French Renaissance as depicted such Alexander Dumas works as The Three Musketeers. Set in a beautiful arboretum, the lodge is surrounded by many rare species of trees. Sanatorium Karpaty (near Chynadieve, halfway between Mukacheve and Svaliava).

Palanok Castle

In Europe today few castles remain so well preserved as that of Palanok Castle in Mukacheve. The castle takes its name from the belt of wooden piles used by local villagers in the medieval period as the first line of defence on the hill where the castle stands. This defensive perimeter was strengthened by a moat across which enemy would have to cross before advancing towards the castle itself. The castle is now a history museum.

Lake Synevyr

Ukraine’s largest and highest alpine lake, lying at an elevation of 989 metres, is home to many rare species of flora and fauna, and is known as “the forth jewel” of the Transcarpathian region. Legend has it that Lake Synevyr was produced by the great many tears poured out by Lady Syn, the daughter of a local count, at this spot where her loved one, a Carpathian herdsman named Vyr, was killed by order of the treacherous count. A small islet just a few square metres in size at the centre of the lake makes the body of water resemble a big eye, which explains the lake’s other name, the “Marine Eye”.
Village of Synevirska Poliana, Mizhgirya district.

Village of Iza

Iza is the present-day manufacturing centre for genuine Transcarpathian souvenirs and local handcrafts typically made of willow. The village of Iza is said to be one of the richest settlements in the area with local two and three-storey mansions that catch the eye immediately. Locals lay out their souvenirs and related handcrafts for sale in front of their house so that visitors can see them easily. The most common handcrafts are baskets, armchairs, stools, tables, some larger pieces of furniture, as well as crates for pets, plus various household utensils and kitchenware.
5 km north of Khust.

Valley of Daffodils (Narcissus)

The Valley of Daffodils (Narcissus in Ukrainian) is the only place in the former Soviet Union where daffodils grow in the wild, though smaller such fields also exist in the Alps and in some Balkan countries. The valley area totals 256.5 hectares and forms a natural preserve for this species of flower. Tourists often make the trip to this green carpeted world with its myriads of the delicate white or yellow flowers. The best time to see the valley is in late April or early May when the flowers blossom.
Kireshi Gorge, 4 km from Khust.

Nevytska Fortress

Only ruins can be seen todayof the Nevytska Fortress, which takes its name from the local word for girls, who were allegedly kept in the fortress to protect them during medieval times. The fortification stood atop a hill some 260 metres above the nearby Uzh River. The exact origins of the castle are unknown, but it became the property of the Drugezzi clan in the 11th century and it was they who erected a stone stronghold to replace the wooden fortifications that predated it. The fortress was sacked in 1644 by the army of Prince Rakoczi of Transylvania.
Village of Nevytske, 12 km north of Uzhgorod.