Palanok Castle

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The western region of Ukraine can boast of numerous medieval castles. Their construction was necessary because the southeastern regions of Ukraine are endless steppes, where different nomadic peoples have historically replaced each other. The nomads had one not very good habit - to attack their neighbors, kill and rob them.

One of the most beautiful and best-preserved castles is Palanok Castle near the town of Mukaveve. This is the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine, that is, the castle is located behind a large natural obstacle - the Carpathian Mountains. Therefore, its purpose was not entirely to protect against Tatars or other steppe people.

Palanok Castle is a typical medieval fortress built to protect and control trade and military routes. It was built on a mountain of volcanic origin. The castle acquired its modern appearance at the beginning of the 18th century, however, for example, the Lower Castle (part of the architectural composition) was built in 1670.

Historians assume that in the 9th - 10th centuries there was already a wooden Old Slavic settlement on Zamkova Gora. But it was destroyed by nomadic tribes of Ugrians. The first written mention of the building on this mountain dates back to 1311. Since then, the castle has been the defense center of the entire northeastern part of the Hungarian kingdom.

Modern scientists believe that a new stage of the castle's history begins when, at the end of the 14th century, the Podolsky prince, an exile from the Lithuanian dynasty of the Gedyminovichs, Fedir Koriatovych, became the manager of the castle, which became his residence. It is assumed that it was this prince who completely rebuilt the fortress.

For many years, the castle was the subject of constant disputes between the Transylvanian and Austrian crowns.

From 1685 to 1689, Mukachevo Castle survived the longest siege. When Hungary and Transylvania were already under the rule of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty, a woman named Ilona Zrini resisted the Austrian troops (Labans) for almost three years. For this feat, the Turkish Sultan Muhammed IV even awarded the woman with a special certificate - atname. This is the only case in the history of Turkey when a woman received this award.

Since 1965, a branch of the Uzhhorod Transcarpathian Museum of Local Lore has functioned in the castle, and in 1989, the Mukachevo Historical Museum with historical and cultural exhibits was opened.

In 2006, a monument to the heroic defender of the castle, Ilona Zrina, was erected on the walls of the Upper Castle (part of the architectural composition).

Currently, Mukachevo Castle is undergoing restoration work, a branch of the Transcarpathian Museum of Local History is operating, and there are nine halls of history. There is a unique collection of icon paintings.

Interestingly, Palanok Castle is one of the five fortresses in Europe that have never been stormed.