A beautiful and historically significant castle.

Palanok Castle is situated on a hill overlooking the city of Mukachevo and its surrounding areas. Its history dates back to the 7th century, having served as a fortress, a palace, and a prison, and now stands as a tourist attraction. It is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in western Ukraine, with well-maintained walls, towers, and fortifications that offer a deep insight into the turbulent history of Ukraine and Central Europe. As you walk through its numerous halls and staircases, you can feel the strong medieval atmosphere. Additionally, because the castle is built on a hilltop in the middle of the lowlands, there are several spots where you can enjoy stunning views of the town of Mukachevo and its surroundings. Inside the castle, there are several small exhibitions showcasing the history of Mukachevo and the castle's most famous stories, such as the Rakoczi era, the ancient history of Mukachevo, painter Mihály Munkácsy, and poet Sándor Petőfi. Some English audio guides or English-speaking guides can help you learn more about the castle and the city. Other amenities include taking photos in medieval costumes (30 UAH for the lower castle, 20 UAH for the middle castle), a café offering coffee, tea, and ice cream, and a gallery displaying works by local artists. If you enjoy wine tasting, be sure to set aside time to visit the castle's medieval wine cellar to sample wines - I thoroughly enjoyed this experience! For just 80 UAH, you can taste 8 local wines - three white wines, three red wines, and the famous local fortified sweet rosé wine 'Transcarpathian Rose' (the taste of the last one is something you've never tried before - a must for any wine connoisseur!). The wine tasting alone is worth the visit. We spent over 4 hours there, and you can take a day to truly appreciate the history. The castle is easily accessible by bus from the city center, with a journey of no more than 15 minutes, and then you can walk up the hill to reach the castle.