Moving borders between countries and empires have been running through the region for millennia. Therefore, every historic period left its mark on the cultural tradition and appearance of the cities. In the 12th century, a powerful state, the Galicia-Volyn principality, often mentioned in ancient European chronicles, was formed here. The principality was fighting for its territories against Poland, Hungary and the Tatars-Mongols. The papal legate crowned the prince Danylo and later his grandson Yuriy. Danylo’s son Roman was married to a daughter of an Austrian duke from the Bubenbergs dynasty and even had pretensions on the Austrian throne. But the attempt was not successful, and, as a result, the Habsburg Dynasty strengthened its position in Austria. During the reign of the Habsburg monarchy, the largest cities of the area, among which are Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Uzhgorod, Chernivtsi, and many others, took on the look of typical European cities.
The Carpathian region managed to preserve a great number of defense constructions and palaces witnessing a great deal of historical upheavals. Here you can visit numerous castles from the 11th—17th centuries, which in different eras were owned by the Polens, Austro-Hungarians, Lithuanians and Russians. We offer you to have a trip to the Middle Ages during your stay in the Ukrainian Carpathians. 

Mukachevsky “Palanok” Castle

In Europe, there remain only five other castles so finely preserved as the one in Mukachevo. In the 14th century, the cornerstone was laid for the “Palanok” Castle which was later made into an impregnable fortress by French engineers. Moreover, after the fall of the Bastille, the world-renowned French prison, it was the Mukachevsky Castle that became an all-European political prison. In 1805—1806, the Hungarian Sacred Crown was kept there to protect it from Napoleon’s troops. The castle knew a lot of hosts, so in different times it was home to the Serbian prince Georg Brankovich, regent of Hungary Janucz Gunyadi, the wife of the Hungarian King Lajos Maria and many others. Today, even though “Palanok” Castle has lost its strategic role, it still is one of the most important military and architectural monuments of both Europe and Ukraine complete with cozy patios, bastions and old chambers with a distinct knightly air.

Khotynska Fortress (the 11th—13th centuries)

On the right bank of the Dniester, not far from the small town of Khotyn in Chernivetsky Region, which recently celebrated its 1000th anniversary, there towers the legendary Khotynska fortress. This stronghold has walls that are about 50 meters high and about six meters thick. However, the fortress’s formidability, preserved till today, could not save it from the bloody battles which it witnessed. Khotyn’s moment of glory was during the military campaign of 1621 when a 150-thousand Turkish army soldiers met the united troops of Poland and Ukrainian Cossacks near the walls of the fortress. According to the historians, for eight days in a row, the Polish and the Ukrainians were united in celebrating their victory, which prevented Western Europe from enslavement. And now Khotyn is the best place to enjoy serenity and harmony. From a high rampart, you can look at the green bank vaults of the blue Dniester, feel a fresh breeze or go down the narrow stone stair-steps to the gigantic basements where time stands still. You can enjoy having rest near the murmur of a spring that has witnessed the history of Khotyn straight from the horse’s mouth.

Uzhgorod Castle

This stone fortress in Uzhgorod was erected in the 11th—12th centuries. Then, in the 14th century the castle was handed over to the counts of Druhets, an Italian family of French origin, who owned it throughout the 17th century. From that time on, the castle was repeatedly rebuilt for various military purposes. In 1775, the castle was turned into a theological seminary, which operated till 1944. Now you can find here the collections of the Zakarpatsky Museum of Regional Studies and Art Gallery.