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Uzhansky National Nature Park

Meteorite traces, thousand-year-old oaks and UNESCO beech primeval forests at the border of three countries

📍 Velykyi Bereznyi, Velykyi Bereznyi•🏛️ 1999

About This Site

Uzhansky National Nature Park is a protected area in Zakarpattia Oblast on the border with Poland and Slovakia. Famous for UNESCO beech primeval forests, thousand-year-old oaks, meteorite impact site, and World War II fortifications.

Uzhansky National Nature Park was established in 1999 and covers an area of 46,157 hectares in Zakarpattia Oblast. The park is located on the border with Poland and Slovakia, forming part of the transboundary biosphere reserve 'East Carpathians'. The picturesque upper reach of the Uzh River, from where you can walk through the Uzhok Pass with views of the Eastern Beskids. More than 3,000 hectares are covered with beech primeval forests, protected by UNESCO since 2007 as part of the 'Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe' property. A unique feature of the park are the thousand-year-old oaks in Stuzhytsia village: Grandfather Oak (1,200 years old, circumference 9.85 m) and Champion Oak (circumference 10 m) — among the oldest trees in Ukraine. In the Chorni Mlaky area in 1866, the 'Knyahynia' meteorite weighing almost 500 kg fell — the largest meteorite to fall on Ukrainian territory. The Eastern Carpathians territory was a battlefield of World War I. From World War II, numerous fortifications of the Arpad Line remain — a defensive line of the Hungarian army. Military cemeteries and monuments are also preserved. The park is characterized by rich biodiversity: over 50 species of rare plants, including orchids and lilies. Fauna includes brown bears, lynxes, wolves, and deer. Rare bird species nest here, including white-tailed eagle and peregrine falcon. The total length of eco-routes in the park is 140 km.

Historical Significance

Uzhansky National Nature Park was established on June 3, 1999, by Presidential Decree of Ukraine to preserve the unique natural complexes of the Eastern Beskids and the upper Uzh River. The park's territory has a rich history. In the Middle Ages, an important trade route passed through the Uzhok Pass, connecting Kievan Rus with Hungary. In the 19th century, forestry developed, remnants of which can still be seen. During World War I (1914-1918), the Uzhok Pass was the site of fierce battles between Russian and Austro-Hungarian forces. Military cemeteries from that period are preserved. In 1939-1944, the Hungarian army built the 'Arpad Line' fortifications here — a system of defensive structures to protect against Soviet forces. Today, these bunkers and pillboxes are important historical monuments. In 1866, a meteorite exploded over the park's territory. The largest fragment weighing 279 kg fell in the Chorni Mlaky area between Knyahynia, Stuzhytsia, and Zbuy villages. In total, about 200 fragments fell. In 2007, the park's beech primeval forests (Stuzhytsia, Uholka sections) were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 2021, the park became part of the transboundary biosphere reserve 'East Carpathians' together with Poland and Slovakia.

Uzhansky National Nature Park is of exceptional importance for preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the Carpathians. It is one of Ukraine's most valuable territories in terms of biodiversity and ecological integrity. The park's beech primeval forests are part of UNESCO World Heritage and represent unique ecosystems preserved in pristine condition. The park's transboundary location at the junction of three states makes it important for international conservation cooperation. The park preserves unique natural and historical objects: thousand-year-old oaks, the site of the largest meteorite fall in Ukraine, world war fortifications. This makes the territory important not only from an ecological but also from a historical and cultural perspective.