Those who love interesting, exciting and informative vacations, but want to combine it with a stay surrounded by beautiful nature, should definitely go to Kolochava village. Rest here will give the brightest impressions, as well as energize and health — that can only give such amazing places located in the famous Ukrainian Carpathians.
Kolochava village is located in a picturesque area between the mountain peaks in the valley of the river of the same name — Kolochavka. According to folk legends, the village owes its name to the river: its banks were once very swampy, and the inhabitants’ footsteps constantly made characteristic sounds, because of this the river was called Chavka, and when local residents were asked where they lived, they answered «Kolo Chavka», so the name Kolochavka appeared.
The first settlers of modern Kolochava, as well as other surrounding villages, were fugitive peasants who sought freedom from serfdom in the remote corners of the Carpathians, hidden from prying eyes. The settlement was first mentioned in written sources in 1463, when the Bilkei feudal lords handed it over to their relatives the Urmeseys. However, man lived here long before the Middle Ages: this is evidenced by the most interesting archaeological finds discovered in the vicinity.
Ancient man lived in the area of Kolochava even before our era: here was found a nucleus — this term is called a fragment of stone, formed during the production of stone tools. And the fact that life here was also boiling in the period from the I century BC to the II century AD is evidenced by another find — a stone loshchilo. In those distant times, dating back to classical antiquity, this region was part of the country called Dacia, and according to the conclusions of archaeologists there was one of the Dacian settlements here. And it is not surprising, because the picturesque valley of the river, sheltered on all sides by high mountains, was a very favorable and safe place to live.
Today Kolochava has about 5 thousand inhabitants and is a relatively large village, attracting tourists all year round. First of all, the village is famous for its unique museums, of which there are about ten. The most famous among them are: museums «Czech School» and «Soviet School», ethnographic museum of Ivan Olbracht, museum «Old Village», located in the open air and presenting visitors the life and life of villagers through the exposition, located in 14 old houses, museum «Kolochava narrow gauge» — the only Transcarpathian museum, which presents historical relics of narrow gauge railroads of this region. Several Kolochava museums won prizes at the All-Ukrainian competition for the best public museums, and all tourists who visited them leave the most positive feedback about them. Another wonderful attraction of Kolochava is the old wooden Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit of the XVIII century, also working today as a museum.
The name of the Czech writer I. Olbracht is connected with the life of the village: he lived in Kolochava for many years, and thanks to his works such as «Nikola Shugai the Robber» and other publications the village entered the world literature. In 1933 the movie «Mariyka-nevernitsa» (directed by V. Vanchura) was filmed here, and in 1982 the Zakarpattia writer I. Dolgosh wrote the novel «Kolochava» about the village and I. Olbracht’s life in it. Today there is a monument to I. Olbracht in the village, and the museum dedicated to the life and work of the writer is one of the most visited, especially popular among tourists from the Czech Republic.
In addition to museums, the area around the village of Kolochava is home to many stunning natural attractions. Less than an hour’s drive from the village is the legend of Transcarpathia, one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine — Sinevir Lake and the eponymous National Nature Park, traveling along which hiking trails shake tourists to the core thanks to the incredible beauty of nature. You can also go to one of the most beautiful reservoirs of the Carpathians — Tereble-Rikskoe Reservoir or to one of the numerous healing springs with mineral water, climb the surrounding mountain peaks (for example, Mount Strimba) and see the picturesque panoramas.
For all tourists, holidays in the Carpathians in the village of Kolochava is an amazing opportunity to spend time in the wonderful Mezhgorsky Krai, rich in sights and interesting places. It is thanks to such corners of this amazing country that Ukraine is becoming increasingly popular among travelers eager for vivid impressions.