Picturesque Transcarpathia
A trip to Transcarpathia in autumn, more precisely, in October, has already become a tradition for us. Another excursion trip was organized again by teachers II Bulakh and OV Szymanska for students of our college to this strange land of Cheremosh and Prut…
Where else to rest in the fall in Ukraine, if not in Transcarpathia. Autumn is the time to be among the picturesque Carpathian mountains, wander through the dense virgin forests, almost changed by civilization, and fully enjoy the clean Carpathian air.
Holidays in Transcarpathia in autumn are fresh mountain air, walks in fairy forests, relaxation and treatment, original dishes of Transcarpathian cuisine, beautiful castles with centuries-old history, as well as fun, which you want to share with friends!
Our group climbed the chairlift to the Borzhavsky ridge to fully enjoy the breathtaking view of the Carpathian Mountains. Going up, we saw the tops of the neighboring mountains covered with green alpine meadows, and below them – a dark green blanket of spruce forests that have grown here since ancient times. Only from the mountain top you can comprehend all the grandeur and age-old tranquility of Carpathian nature.
Then we visited the trout farm, where we not only got acquainted with the process of breeding ecologically clean trout, but also traced the way of growing fish from fry to adults. We also had the opportunity to fish, and after sporting and gambling fishing lunch of caught trout was the best end to the holiday.
The master blacksmith class in the Gamora smithy did not leave anyone indifferent. Lysychiv Forge-Museum "Gamora" is a unique monument of industrial production and the only operating water forge in Europe. Gamora Water Forge is a unique object, as it has the status of a museum and at the same time acts as a normal forge, where ordinary equipment is made for the inhabitants of the village and its environs. In memory of those wishing to forge a horseshoe with the logo of the smithy.
Transcarpathian thermal springs are a great place to relax in the autumn.
Beregovo is the main thermal region of Transcarpathia. Thus, in a small Transcarpathian town there is a complete illusion of being in Hungary. It is located 5 km from its border, has long been an Austro-Hungarian possession. And now everything is Hungarian: language (along with Ukrainian), excellent Hungarian cuisine, local wine. We had the opportunity to experience the healing power of thermal water.
Transcarpathia has a unique rich historical past. For thousands of years, this land was actively developed by Celts, Slavs, Hungarians, Austrians, Czechs and Slovaks, Soviet authorities and Ukrainians. Today, their presence is reminiscent of various architectural structures: ancient remains of settlements, castles, palaces, wooden and architectural temples, two of which are protected by UNESCO.
We were fascinated by a tour of Mukachevo Castle – a historical monument of architectural art. The stone castle was built here by Prince Fyodor Koryatovych – he cut a well 85 m deep in the rock (rumor has it, with the help of a deceived devil) – and later it was built by the Hungarian princes Rakoczi. It was during their reign that the fortress became the center of the struggle for the independence of the Hungarian people from the Habsburgs. Almost three years of defense of the castle under the leadership of the courageous Ilona Zrina went down in history. The fortress, shrouded in legends, impresses from afar with its mighty walls, and inside opens a huge palace complex with several museums.
Excursion to the snail farm left no one without positive emotions. The first farm in Transcarpathia started operating in 2017 and it is able to grow up to 10 tons of snails a year. 3 species of snails are grown here. To do this, the farm has created the most favorable conditions for this – both fodder and climate.
A real gastronomic adventure was a visit to the Seliska cheese factory in Nizhny Selishche, where the production of cheese according to Swiss technology without the addition of preservatives and flavors was established. The process of maturing products in equipped cellars with constant humidity and temperature takes several months, and we were shown this kingdom of cheese during a tour of the cheese factory.
The walk to the Karst Bridge was not easy. The length of the route is 5 km. The rock rises in the middle of beech virgin forests, at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level. It is a natural arch, formed in the days when the present-day Carpathians were the seabed. A few kilometers up to the rock Karst Bridge you have to walk, but what you see amazes everyone who has visited here.
Traditional wine festivals take place in Transcarpathia in autumn.
Is it possible to come to Transcarpathia and not try local wines? Transcarpathians have been engaged in winemaking for a long time. You can see this by visiting the ancient cellars with a history that dates back many centuries. There are still whole dynasties here that have been producing wine for many generations!
During the tasting we got acquainted with different traditional varieties of Transcarpathian wines and varieties of wines produced around the world, as well as bought a bottle of wine, which I liked the most to bring home the taste of Transcarpathia.
October is the season for hunting white mushrooms. We have never seen such mushrooms as among the Hutsul mountains! And we will never forget the picturesque places here.
At our service were cozy private estates of Hungarians, and huts, where we were treated to delicious local cuisine.
We are the brave ones who dared to catch my grandmother's summer in the Carpathians, and hoped for a reward commensurate with their risks. The weather really pleased us with the last sunny warm days, pleased and sad at the same time, because we managed to become related to hypnotic mountain landscapes, historical and cultural monuments, beautiful people who inhabit this beautiful land, and all the beautiful, as you know, ends someday.
It is a pity to say goodbye to Transcarpathia, but we will definitely come back here again, for new impressions and new emotions!
