In the town of Mukacheve at the height of 70 meters stands an interesting Palanok Castle. The castle can be called a legend, because first it was mentioned in history about 900 years ago! Old wooden castle twice stood against the 60,000 army of Batu Khan. Every year local people removed all trees from the slopes of the hill and unexpected visits of the enemies were impossible. However, with the advent of guns, wooden walls could not help any more. The new owner, Prince Fedor Koriatovych, built in Mukacheve a square castle with a courtyard in the middle. The castle was ideally suited for protection and not only because of the location on a tall hill. In the basement large amounts of food were gathered, and a 70-meter well was dug through the rock. The well is still preserved in good condition. The thickness of some walls reached 18 meters!
During the largest siege in the history of the castle the protection of the castle was run by a woman, the mother of Prince Ferenc Rakoczy ІI Ilona Zrini. For three years, from 1685 to 1688, two 12,000 Austrian armies were trying to capture the castle. The castle was captured only after bribery and treason. The Austrians have further strengthened the castle and made it the strongest fortress in the east of the Austrian Empire.
A local legend tells that the hill on which the castle stands was created by people. This is not true.
During our visit the castle was in excellent condition and well maintained.
Palanok Castle in Mukacheve ©Yuriy Buriak
Palanok Castle in Mukacheve ©Yuriy Buriak
Palanok Castle in Mukacheve ©Yuriy Buriak
Mukacheve view from the castle hill ©Yuriy Buriak
Getting there: By train from Kyiv.
