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Uzhhorod was mentioned in the chronicles as early as 872 AD. The
city name Ung is mentioned in the Hungarian Chronicle "Gesta
Hungarorum" as the residence of the Slavic prince Laborets.
At the end of XVII century in the city were only around ten streets. Historically city was built on the right bank of Uzh River. At the end of XVII and beginning of XVIII centuries the majority of Uzhgorod's population has lived on fifteen streets on the right bank. Population of Uzhgorod at that time was around 3000 people. In period between 1794 and 1819 in the city were built 335 houses and buildings. Started approximately in the middle of XVIII century in the city were 4 festivals each year. In 1919 Uzhgorod became the center of Tran Carpathian Russ, under the rule of Czechoslovakia. In the fall of 1938, the capital of Carpathian Ukraine, and in 1949, the center of the Tran Carpathian region of the Ukrainian SSR. In the middle of 17th century a Jesuit College and gymnasium were relocated here from the town of Humenne (Eastern Slovakia). Later, the gymnasium became the main middle-level educational institution in Transcarpathia. During the next century theological seminaries and teacher-training colleges were established here.
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Uzhgorod is administrative centre of the most southwestern province of Ukraine Transcarpathian Region (Zakarpatska Oblast) (
The city has changed names several times: it has been called Ongvar,
Hungvar, Unguyvar, and Ungvar. A mighty fortress protected the city
of Uzhgorod.
In 1080 the armies of the Polovets Khan Kutesko devastated the
entire region, but were unable to capture the fortress. During the
Middle Ages the city was destroyed many times in the wars between
the Habsburg and the Transylvanian Principalities.
After each war city was reestablished. Fortress also was reestablished many times.
The castle as it stands today has a 16th century facade. The Museum
of Local History is now inside the castle. In the 11-13th centuries
Uzhhorod was under Hungarian rule. In 1648 a thousand-man detachment
of Kozaks arrived, escorting the emissary of Khmelnytsky to the
Transylvanian King Rakoci.
Among Uzhhorod's fine churches, one will find irresistibly cute the
candy-colored Russian Orthodox, while the impressive twin-towered
17th century Cathedral up on the castle hill prove attractions also
not to be missed.
Cathedral was built in 1646 as a main element of
the Jesuits Order monastery complex. Originally, the building of
the Cathedral looked like basilica. In 1773 when Jesuit Order stop
its activity in the region, and the building was granted to
Greek-Catholic Church and became Cathedral. Later, at the both
sides of the building two wooden towers were built. In 1812, one of
the towers was broken by storm. Second tower was demolished by
bishop's order. During the Soviet era the Cathedral was transferred
into the Russian Orthodox church. Today it is once again a Ukrainian
Catholic Cathedral. Today you can see Cathedral with two towers at
the both sides from the main entrance. On the top of the towers you
can see two clocks, which count time of the 20th century.
Uzhhorod's buildings are reminiscent of those to be found in Eger
or Veszprem in Hungary, though its tidy streets could easily be
mistaken for the streets of Bratislava. The Hotel Korona on the old
town square is a good place to stay. Lets walk along the
Nezalezhnosti (Independence) Embankment. Each building here is
unique accord in street's symphony. Small squares with mosaic
paved sidewalks, cornices, balconies, lines, color of the walls
are creating the uniqueness and attractiveness of Uzhgorod's archi
tectural ensembles of small streets and whole blocks. For example
in the old part of the city you can easily find many different
architectural styles: modern, baroque, functionalism of twenties,
classic, and neonorman style. Old center of Uzhgorod has
approximately ten architectural styles. A lot of buildings were
built eclectically.
