Munkácsi vár (Castle of Mukacheve) Traditional Geocache
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Munkácsi vár (Castle of Mukacheve)
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Size: 
(regular)
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The Palanok castle is a historic castle in the city of
Munkács (Mukachovo) in the western Ukrainian oblast of
Zakarpattia (Kárpátalja). Its name originates from
the old Hungarian name Muncas, which is a form of the word
”munka” (work). The founding cornerstone for the castle
was laid sometime in the 14th century.
Through the centuries, the castle served as a residence to many
famous people: the Koriatovych family for almost 200 years, the
Serbian prince Ðurad Brankovic, János Hunyadi, Regent of
Hungary and Ilona Zrínyi, the mother of the Hungarian
monarch Ferenc Rákóczi II.
During the ownership of Prince Fedir Koriatovych the castle became
one of the most protected castles in the region. The prince and his
family lived in the highest part of the castle, which had lavishly
decorated interiours. Ferenc Rákóczi II later used
the castle as the centre of a war of independence led by
himself.
After the storming of the Bastille in France, the Palanok Castle
was used as an all-European political prison (1796 - 1897). During
1805–1806, the Crown of St. Stephen was kept within the
castle to protect it from Napoleon I's troops. In 1926, the castle
was used as barracks and later as an agricultural college.
For all its history it has never been conquered in a fair battle
and is one of the most fortified castles in Europe. It had a strong
protection: 164 cannons of varying sizes and 60 barrels of
gunpowder. The castle was surrounded by a deep moat and high wooden
walls to protect the castle from invaders.
The Palanok Castle is delicately preserved, and is located on a
former 68 metres high volcanic hill. The castle complex consists of
three parts: the high, middle, and low castle. The total area of
the castle is 14,000 m⊃2;. The castle consists of 130 different
rooms with a complex system of underground passages connecting them
together. The castle currently houses a museum dedicated to the
history of Munkács and the castle.
The official opening hours of the castle:
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. according to the Hungarian time (CET).
It is likely you’ll find the castle open beside the opening
hours.
The entrance fee is 8 UAH (200 HUF) for adults and 5 UAH (125 HUF)
for children.
The cache measures 16 x 16 x 6 cm, a plastic container with a blue
lid. From the castle’s parking lot walk backwards 15 metres
until an arch. Enter through the arch, you’ll arrive to the
dry trenck of the lower castle. The cache is hidden on the LHS
(left hand side) of the entrance, close to the middle of the
opposite wall.
Parking lot at the castle’s entrance: N 48° 25,826' E
22° 41,260'
There is a small amount to pay but your car won’t got stolen.
The fee is 2 UAH (50 HUF) for cars and 10 UAH (250 HUF) for
buses.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
oruvaq ubevmbagny pbapergr oybpx