Rakhiv is one of the amazing small towns that are scattered here and there on the picturesque peaks of the Carpathians. It is called «Hutsul Paris», Green Fairy Tale and simply one of the best places for vacation in Ukraine. All those who come to rest in Rakhiv are greeted by breathtaking landscapes, fragrant air of mountain meadows and forests, as well as unique coziness, which can be felt only in such small mountain towns.
Today Rakhiv is a district center with a population of almost 20 thousand people. It is a famous tourist and recreational center of Ukraine. It is a quiet and peaceful town, nestled on the banks of the Tisa River, cutting through the mountain basin. But the life of Rakhiv was not always so serene.
The oldest, prehistoric period in the life of Rakhiv is the Late Bronze Age (the end of the II millennium BC). The fact that in times immemorial people lived here is evidenced by a treasure trove of bronze objects found in the vicinity of the town. In our era, the Tisza valley was settled in the early X century. Despite the fact that the date of the founding of the city is considered to be 1447, it is known that it was first mentioned in written documents as early as 910.
The first inhabitants of Rakhiv were Hutsul peasants fleeing from Transcarpathia and Galicia, who tried to hide in the mountains from feudal oppression. According to legends, the name of the town comes from the word «rahuvaty» — to count: here peasants counted the loot from the rich and divided it among themselves. According to another version, merchants traveling from Hungary and Transylvania to Galicia counted their profits here.
Due to its favorable location on the trade route from Galicia to Bulgaria, Moldavia and Transylvania, the town grew and developed. Livestock trade, sheep breeding, fishing, beekeeping and hunting flourished. But the small town, seemingly cut off from the whole world, was not destined to live peacefully. During its history Rakhiv was a part of more than seven states: Kievan Rus, Galicia-Volyn principality, Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia and others. At all times the inhabitants of the town fought against the arbitrariness of the ruling nobility, participating in popular uprisings, but peace came to these places only in the middle of the XX century.
The streets, buildings and monuments of Rakhov willingly tell about their fate. Architectural styles intermingle, forming an amazing, unlike anything else ensemble of a small mountain town. So different, but cozy. Besides Ukrainians, Hungarians, Romanians and other nations lived and live here, and each of them left their imprint on the architectural appearance of Rakhiv. Today there are not only Orthodox, but also Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic churches, Evangelical prayer house, and other religious communities.
Places that will be interesting for Rakhiv guests to visit are the Museum of Mountain Ecology and History of Nature Management of the Carpathians in the administrative building of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO member; the Museum of I. Franko; the Geographical Center of Europe near the village of Delovoye; Trout Farm; monuments of wooden Hutsul architecture of the XVII-XIX centuries in the surrounding villages: Trinity Church, Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, Church of St. Yuri. However, without a doubt, the most spectacular and inspiring attractions of Rakhiv are numerous natural objects.
The city is located between the mountain ranges with the highest Carpathian peaks — Gorgany, Svidovets, Chernogorsky Ridge, Rakhiv Mountains. Its territory is part of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve. From Rakhiv there are tourist trails to the waterfalls Dragobratsky, Trufants — the highest waterfall in Transcarpathia, as well as many other interesting tourist sites. Among them are Mount Bliznitsa, Hoverla — the highest point of Ukraine, beautiful mountain lakes and other natural attractions of Transcarpathia, known outside Ukraine.
Rakhiv is the highest city in the country, its center is located at an altitude of almost 500 m above sea level, and the difference in altitude between the lowest and highest streets is about 600 m. Such peculiarity, healing mountain climate, incredible landscapes, unity with nature, famous sights of Ukraine make Rakhiv one of the most interesting places for tourists from all over the country and abroad.