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The Palanok Castle in Mukachevo
No comments · Posted by Sergei Rzhevsky in Architecture, Travel
The Palanok Castle or Mukachevo Castle is a very picturesque castle located in the city of Mukachevo in Zakarpattia Oblast of Ukraine.
It is a unique example of medieval fortification architecture with a combination of different styles, an architectural monument of national importance. Today, the Mukachevo Castle houses a historical museum. Photos by: Maxim Ritus.
The Palanok Castle stands on a hill of volcanic origin 68 meters high and covers an area of 13,930 square meters. The exact date of the foundation of the castle is unknown. It was first mentioned in documents dating back to the 11th century.
In 1782-1896, there was a political prison here, first of the Holy Roman Empire, then of the Austrian and Austro-Hungarian Empires. For over 100 years, more than 20 thousand people were imprisoned here. After the prison was closed, the castle began to deteriorate and fall into disrepair.
After the end of World War II, the territories of the former Subcarpathian Rus became part of the Ukrainian SSR, after which a vocational school was opened in the castle. Since 1960, a historical museum has been located in the Mukachevo Castle.
What is the origin of the name “Palanok”? This word means an oak palisade that surrounds the moat that encloses the castle hill. Blacksmiths, carpenters and other craftsmen working in the castle once lived behind this palisade.
Tags: fortress · Mukachevo city · Zakarpattia oblast
