About This Site

Palanok Castle is one of the most beautiful medieval fortresses of Transcarpathia, located on top of a 68-meter volcanic hill above the city of Mukachevo. Built in the 14th-18th centuries, the castle has witnessed many historical events and legends.

Palanok Castle impresses with its architecture and unique location on a volcanic hill of an extinct volcano that died millions of years ago. The castle complex occupies an area of about 14 thousand square meters and consists of three parts located on three terraces of different levels. The oldest part - the Upper Castle (14th-16th centuries) is located on the top of the hill. 6 meters lower is the Middle Castle (17th century), and another 10 meters lower - the Lower Castle (17th century). In the early 18th century, a defensive tower was built on the fourth terrace, which has not survived to this day. The castle has a rich history. In 1396, the fortress became a residential residence. The modern name 'Palanok' comes from the wooden palisade (palanka) that surrounded the castle in the 16th century. The castle now houses the Transcarpathian Museum of History and Local Lore with rich exhibitions of archaeology, ethnography, and regional history. Here you can see unique items from the Stone and Copper-Bronze Age, collections of weapons, antique furniture, and an art gallery. Special attention deserves the exposition 'Embroidery and regional folk clothes', a unique collection of ancient stoves, Ilona Zrini's chapel and her bedroom (where marriage ceremonies are now held), Sandor Petofi's memorial room and the museum of Bulgarian culture.

Historical Significance

The first fortifications on the volcanic hill appeared in the 11th century. Chronicles mention a wooden fortress Munkach, which controlled important trade routes through the Carpathians. The stone castle began to be built in the 14th century. In 1396, Hungarian King Sigismund I gave the castle to Prince Fedir Koriatovych, who made it his residence and conducted significant reconstruction. The most dramatic period in the castle's history is associated with Ilona Zrini - the wife of Transylvanian Prince Imre Thököly. In 1685-1688, she heroically defended the castle from Austrian troops. After a three-year siege, when supplies ran out and all defenders died from an epidemic, Ilona was forced to surrender. The Austrians expelled her with her children from Hungary. In the 18th-19th centuries, the castle was used as a prison for political prisoners. Among the famous prisoners were participants in national liberation movements. After World War I, the castle came under the control of Czechoslovakia, then Hungary again. In 1945, after the liberation of Transcarpathia by the Soviet army, the castle became a museum. In 2000, it was granted the status of a State Historical and Cultural Reserve.

Highlights

• ✓Unique location on a volcanic hill (68 m)
• ✓Three levels of the castle on different terraces
• ✓Museum with exhibitions of archaeology, ethnography, history
• ✓Unique collection of ancient stoves
• ✓Ilona Zrini's chapel and bedroom
• ✓Panoramic views of Transcarpathia and the Carpathians
• ✓Exhibition of embroidery and folk clothes
• ✓Sandor Petofi memorial room
• ✓Restaurant with traditional Transcarpathian cuisine

Photo Gallery