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Mukachevo or Mukacheve is a city located in the valley of the Latorica river in Zakarpattia Oblast (province), in Western Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of Mukachevo Raion (district), the city itself does not belong to the raion and is designated as a city of oblast significance, with the status equal to that of a separate raion. The population is 86,339 (2016 est.).
The city is now a rail terminus and highway junction, and has beer, wine, tobacco, food, textile, timber and furniture industries. During the Cold War it was home to Mukachevo air base combined with a radar station.
Mukachevo is a traditional stronghold of the Rusyn language, and the population of Mukachevo is officially reported as 77.1% ethnic Ukrainian. There are also significant minorities of: Russians (9.0%); Hungarians (8.5%); Germans (1.9%), and; Romanians (1.4%).
Up until World War II and the Holocaust it was primarily a Jewish town, and half the population was Jewish (see below) the rest of the population being Rusyn, Hungarian, Slovak and other minorities. Formerly in Czechoslovakia, and before that in Hungary, it was incorporated into Soviet Ukraine after World War II.
Architectural landmarks include:
- Palanok Castle, 14th century. The castle of Munkacs played an important role during the anti-Habsburg revolts in this territory and present-day Slovakia (1604-1711), especially at the beginning of the anti-Habsburg Revolt of Imre Thokoly (1685-1688), as well as at the beginning of the revolt of Ferenc II. Rakoczi (early 18th century). This important fortress became a prison from the end of the 18th century and was used until 1897. The Greek national hero Alexander Ypsilanti was imprisoned in Munkacs castle from 1821 to 1823.
- Saint Nicholas Monastery
- Wooden church built in the Ukrainian architectural style, 18th century
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