The village of Karpaty in Zakarpattia is home to an architectural monument of national importance - Schönborn Castle. It impresses with its architecture, history and legends, and for a long time it was an industrial and cultural centre of Transcarpathia, inviting guests from Vienna and the entire Austrian Empire. Find out about the history and present of Schönborn Castle, how it has lived and breathed for centuries and today

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Schönborn Castle (also known in Ukraine and the world as Berehvar Castle) is located in the village of Karpaty, Mukachevo district, Transcarpathian region. The majestic palace was built in the Neo-Romantic style by Z. Gresserson in 1890-1895. In the 20th century, it was the residence and hunting lodge of the aristocratic German Schönborn dynasty. In 1946, the Karpaty sanatorium was established here, and in 2011, the renovated sanatorium became part of Ukrprofozdorovnytsia. Currently, the building has the status of an architectural monument of national importance and is actually located on a farm run by the Chynadiyivka village council. The peculiarity of Berehvar Castle is that it has been preserved in its original form - the completion and reconstruction were very minor. Find out more about the history of the palace, its interesting locations, legends and the best routes in the material by Visit Ukraine.

More about the history and construction of Schönborn Castle

In the 19th century, the village of Chynadiyevo and the surrounding area were part of Austria-Hungary. At that time, the small settlement was called Saint Miklos (translated from Hungarian as Saint Nicholas). Until the 20th century, the land was owned by the Batori and Rakoczy families. The most famous representatives of these families were women - Elizabeth Bathory (many horrific stories and legends are associated with her - this ruler entered the Guinness Book of Records as the most mass murderer in history) and Ilona Zrinyi, the owner of Mukachevo Castle from the Rakoczy family, who led the defence of the fortress from Austrian troops for 2 years. After Ilona Zrinyi's surrender, the Austrian ruler granted these lands to Bishop Franz Schönborn of Lorraine, who showed extraordinary loyalty to the crown. Unfortunately, the bishop himself was unable to see his possessions, as he died a year after receiving them.

The palace was developed by his heir, Friedrich Carl Schönborn, who actively began to develop new lands. His policy was focused on settling new territories and creating a strong community. A whole programme of incentives was introduced for Germans who wanted to settle in these territories. They were given passports and cash rewards, materials for building houses and land plots. The policy paid off - 13 new German villages were formed around Chynadiyevo.

The descendants of Friedrich Schönborn made considerable efforts to develop this region - they were the largest suppliers of their own products to Europe. They developed beekeeping and viticulture, as well as the production of textiles, wax, beer, and fabrics.

Before the outbreak of the Second World War, Hermann Göring, the Reich Minister of Aviation of the Third Reich, was keen to own the estate. However, the President of Carpathian Ukraine, Augustin Voloshyn, refused him. The then Count Schönborn left for Europe at the end of the war. He was very fond of his father's estate, so he bequeathed his wife to support the Carpathian lands financially even after his death. Christiane von Schönborn-Buchheim supported a water supply project on these lands, purchased equipment and medicines for the children's hospital. Her actions earned her the status of ‘honorary citizen of Mukachevo’.

Interesting facts and legends of the Berehvar Castle

The Schönborn Castle has become a place for filming cult films - scenes from The Snow Queen and 17 Moments of Spring are shot here.

There is also a legend about the ghost of one of the countesses - she was said to be very beautiful and faithful. But her husband did not believe in it, so he turned to a fortune-teller. She advised him to set a test for his wife - a descent from the Sokolovi rocks. If she descended successfully, she was faithful; if she crashed, she was unfaithful. The woman successfully descended from the rocks, but was so angry with her husband for the test that she left him and returned here only as a ghost.

The castle was built according to the astrological principle: 365 windows, like the days of the year (+ one bricked-up window to remind us of the leap year); 52 rooms - according to the number of weeks in the year; 12 entrance doors - according to the months; 4 towers, reflecting the 4 seasons.

How to get to Schönborn Palace?

Tourists head to Chynadiyevo, where the palace is located, from Lviv or Uzhhorod, so it is worth considering both options.

For those travelling by car:

When leaving Lviv in the direction of Uzhhorod, you need to get to the turnoff to Stryi (road E471 / M06). From the city, Stryiska Street leads to the indicated turn. The journey takes about 4 hours, the length of the road is 219 km. Your beacon will be the Veretsky Pass, which is the most convenient route.

The distance from Uzhhorod to the Karpaty sanatorium, which is now located in the castle, is about 57 km. It will take you about an hour to get there. You should leave Uzhhorod on the E-50 motorway and turn onto the E471 / M06 near Mukachevo.

For those travelling by train

The nearest railway station is Karpaty. It is quite easy to recognise it - the station is made in the shape of a palace. It can be reached from both Kyiv and Lviv. By the way, the railway tracks were built here by Schönborn.

What trains go to the Carpathians from Lviv?

- Zaporizhzhia - Solotvyno (departure from Lviv at 23:35 - arrival in the Carpathians at 03:48);

- Kovel - Uzhhorod (departure from Lviv at 00:23 - arrival in the Carpathians at 22:55);

- Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi - Solotvyno (departure from Lviv at 02:31 - arrival in the Carpathians at 06:29);

- Odesa - Uzhhorod (departure from Lviv at 03:20 - arrival in the Carpathians at 07:23);

- Kyiv-Passenger - Uzhhorod (departure from Lviv at 04:56 - arrival in the Carpathians at 08:57);

- Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi - Uzhhorod (departure from Lviv at 05:01 - arrival in the Carpathians at 08:58);

- Kharkiv - Uzhhorod (departure from Lviv at 09:46 - arrival in the Carpathians at 14:04);

What trains go to the Carpathians from Kyiv?

- Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi - Solotvyno (departure from Kyiv at 15:58 - arrival in the Carpathians at 06:29);

- Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi - Uzhhorod (departure from Kyiv at 15:58 - arrival in the Carpathians at 08:57);

- Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi - Uzhhorod (departure from Kyiv at 18:35 - arrival in the Carpathians at 08:58);

- Kharkiv - Uzhhorod (departure from Kyiv at 00:02 - arrival in the Carpathians at 14:04);

If you were unable to buy train tickets to the Carpathians, go to the Mukacheve station - from there to the Berehvar Palace.

Please note! Most trains depart or arrive at night, so we recommend booking a hotel room for a comfortable journey.

Buses to the Carpathians run regularly from Uzhhorod, Mukachevo, Chop, Lviv, and Kyiv. You can buy tickets here.

You can see the Schönborn Castle (Karpaty sanatorium) and other incredible castles of Transcarpathia on a special tour from Visit Ukraine.

Travel with us! If you would like to choose an individual or family tour, take out medical insurance, get travel advice, book tickets for all types of transport or choose a hotel for your holiday, please contact Visit Ukraine specialists (Telegram | WhatsApp). We guarantee support at every stage of your unforgettable journey.