In ancient Mukachevo, in addition to the old castle and numerous religious buildings, you can admire such sights as palaces that belonged to local rulers. One of them is the Palace of Princes Rakotsi, or White House, as it is popularly called. It is an architectural monument of the XVII-XVIII century, which for a long time was the family residence of the Rakoci — Transylvanian princes, who left a great mark in the history of the city.
Today the palace is «hidden» among the later city buildings, but earlier it was one of the architectural dominants on the territory where the main city Mira Square is located now. Its construction began in 1667, and for almost a century the palace looked quite different than it does now: the building was built in the Baroque style of natural stone and was one-story, close to a square in plan, with an open gallery and a white facade, because of which it received the popular «nickname» White House.
The palace acquired its present appearance after a serious reconstruction in 1726, which was led by the Austrian architect J.B. Neumann. This reconstruction was a consequence of the transfer of the property into the hands of the Austrian Counts Schönborn. Count Erwin Schönborn ordered the palace to be rebuilt, and as a result the building became U-shaped and two-storied, brick was added to the natural stone, and the opulent Baroque echoed the lighter Renaissance. At the same time, the central entrance was decorated with a graceful Baroque portal with open staircases. Despite serious reconstruction, much of the original building has been preserved: cross vaults, exquisite Baroque stucco decoration of windows and interior, stone framing of door and window openings.
Among the interesting details of the facade are a portal made of marble chips and a sculptural portrait of Ferenc II Rakoczy. An ancient well has been preserved on the grounds of the residence, which was once surrounded by a magnificent garden, and the entrance is enclosed by a massive fence with a beautiful wrought iron gate.
The palace now has 21 rooms, many of which have partially or completely preserved original exquisite interiors with stucco, 10 ancient stoves, 98 windows and 91 doors.
Many people whose activities have gone down in history have visited this ancient building: Sophia Bathory of the famous Hungarian dynasty, her daughter-in-law Ilona Zrini, whose name is connected with the legendary defense of Palanok Castle, the leader of the Hungarian people’s war of liberation Ferenc II Rakoczi. Later, under the Schönborns, many titled persons visited the castle, including Caesarevich Joseph II and Emperor Franz Joseph. Today, anyone can follow the footsteps of the crowned and noble persons and visit this attraction of Ukraine.
The palace fulfilled its direct purpose until 1928, and then it housed the office of the company «Latorica», in the Soviet years the building became a high school, then the city school of arts, and nowadays it houses the Transcarpathian Art Institute.
The sights of Mukachevo pleasantly surprise the guests of the city, delight and leave only pleasant memories, and the White House — Rakotsi-Shenborn Palace — is one of such memorable, delightful, leaving a trace in the soul of ancient buildings.