Where it all started

The name of the Ungvar castle (castle on the river) also gave the city its name (at the beginning of the 20th century, the name was changed in Slavic Uzhgorod). The first fortifications on Zamkova Gora date back to ancient times, - mentions of Uzhgorod hillfort are found in very ancient documents and chronicles. On the existence of the Hun fortificationg during the transition Magyars at the end of the 9th century. through the Carpathian passes into the Tisza-Danube lowland is also evidenced by the Hungarian one chronicler of the 12th century Anonymous in the chronicle "Gesta Hungarorum" ("Deeds of the Hungarians"): hail over the river was occupied by the Slavic prince Laborets, whose wife was defeated by the Hungarians, and the prince himself fleeing, he was caught on the river and killed, which is why the river got its name - Laborets (now on the territory of Eastern Slovakia, the Uzh River flows into Laborets).

Descriptions or images of the fortification at that time have not survived. However, it is known that in the VIII-IX centuries. and especially in the X-XI centuries. fortified hillforts and buildings around them (so-called "castles") were widespread among Western and Eastern Slavs, in particular on the territory of Kyivan Rus.

The Uzhgorod fortress, as one of the strongholds on the borders of the Kyiv state, had the same features as and other fortifications of the ancient Ukrainian-Russian state, in particular in Prykarpattia. Here, for example, walls, towers, gates, bridges were made of wood. The fortification line of defense consisted of an earthen one a rampart (width - 10-12 m, height - 7-8 m), a ditch (depth - 5-6 m) in front of it, and ended a wooden fence ("grazhda").

The power of the stronghold is also evidenced by the fact that in 1086 the hordes of the Polovtsy led by Khan Kutesk never were able to master it... The defenders of the fortress desperately defended themselves during the Golden Horde attack in the spring of 1241, but could not resist the horde - the castle and other buildings of the city were destroyed.

After this devastating raid, the construction of a stone fortress began.

The further fate of the castle is closely connected with the history of Uzhhorod. At the beginning of the 14th century he belonged The Uzhan county, the opponent of the Hungarian king Charles Robert, Petar Petenka. After the suppression of the rebellion in 1317 led by Petenka, the castle was handed over five years later to the Italian aristocratic family of French origin, the Drugets, who owned it until the 1690s yr., i.e. more than 360 years.

In 1692, the castle became the property of Count Mykola Bercheny, husband of Christina Druget. Mykola Bercheny, — associate and friend of the leader of the national liberation war of the Hungarian people of 1703-1711 against Habsburgs Ferenc II Rakotsi, did a lot to promote cultural life in Uzhhorod.

During its existence, the castle was repeatedly subjected to military attacks and assaults. In 1728 r. here there was a fire, as a result of which extensive damage was caused to the buildings, in particular the main building, third the floor of which has not been restored since then.

During 1735-1740, the castle was owned by Baron Ferenc Dulai, and after his death retired to the treasury.

In 1775, at the request of Bishop Andriy Bachynskyi, Austrian Empress Maria Theresa handed over the castle to the Mukachevo Greek Catholic Diocese, which from 1780 housed theological seminary (existed here until 1945).

During its existence, the fortress underwent many changes in architecture. Outside, the castle has the view of a powerful defensive structure in the shape of an irregular quadrangle (trapezium), in eachin the corners of which bastions of the old Italian type are placed. This architectural feature is typical for of the late renaissance period.

It was in the middle of the 17th century. the architectural, construction and defense development of the fortress was completed, — in this form the castle has been preserved to this day.

There were casemates in the dungeons of the fortress. The cellars are the oldest part of the castle, you can follow them here remains of old foundations.

The palace has more than 40 rooms. The largest, once knightly, hall is located on on the second floor, solemn events, receptions of guests, meals, etc. took place in it.

The castle chapel, the ceiling of which was painted on the theme of religious subjects in 1857, also attracts attention. by the famous academic artist Ferdinand Vydra. Several halls are decorated with stylish ornaments 18th — the first half of the 19th century.

Until the 18th century the castle was surrounded by a five-tiered garden, planted with rare flowers, bushes and trees. The garden was decorated with statues and fountains.

Since the end of the 1960s, restoration work has been carried out in the castle, as a result of which, to a large extent, preserved or restored emergency, destroyed or lost elements of this attraction history, culture, fortification and architecture of Uzhgorod.

Since 1947, the castle has housed the Transcarpathian Museum of Local Lore, a tasting room, and a restaurant. Sometimes knightly tournaments are held.

Working hours: 10:00-18:00, Monday — off.
Contacts: Transcarpathian region Uzhgorod district Uzhhorod city St. Kapitulna, 33
Tel.: +38 (03126) 1-46-09 +38 (03126) 3-44-42