A small ancient town Svalyava is another Ukrainian pearl, lost among the mountain peaks and covered with dense ancient forests. It is a cozy, quiet and unusually beautiful, rich in attractions, the city, which has gained great fame thanks to the numerous mineral springs, giving all residents and guests of Svalyava health and beauty.
The valley formed by the confluence of mountain rivers Latorica and Svalyavka, known to man since time immemorial. Even in the I millennium BC there were settlements here. The picturesque fertile land throughout its existence gave prosperity and longevity to the people who inhabited it. Two thousand years ago it was the ancestors of the Slavs, the Venetians, about a thousand years ago — the Hungarians, who found their homeland in those times. Rooted in the depths of centuries, the history of Svalyava could not leave traces. Archaeological objects discovered in the vicinity of the town are some of the most interesting, mysterious and precious finds: Bronze Age monuments and gold jewelry on the northern outskirts, a burial of the Venedians with weapons, an ancient Hungarian mound — a warrior’s grave, fragments of ancient vessels in the field of Niva.
The new history of Svalyava village began in 1236. At first it was a part of Galicia-Volyn principality, then in Maramoroszka zhupa, since XIII century it belonged to the Hungarian kings, and since XVI — to the princes of Transylvania. After 1711 Svalyava passed to the Polish crown. Such a turbulent fate could not but affect the appearance and culture of a small Transcarpathian town. The legacy of Hungarians, Poles and other states that owned the city has forever been imprinted in its original cozy streets, small houses-palaces, small private houses. Today here live not only Ukrainians and Russians, but also Slovaks, Hungarians, Ruthenians. Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic denominations are represented in Svalyava. Thanks to this, the town with a population of less than 20 thousand people has several religious sights at once.
Temples and churches of Svalyava are a separate chapter in the history of this amazing city. The most famous among the religious sights is the old wooden St. Michael’s Church, built in 1588. It is a monument of wooden architecture, which is proud of all the residents of the city, which is a real architectural masterpiece, delighting everyone with its originality. Another similar monument can be seen in the vicinity of Svalyava in the village of Uklin — it is the Church of St. Peter and Paul Apostles of the late XVIII century. Attracting attention are also the Roman Catholic Church of the late 19th century and the Greek Catholic Church of the Exaltation of the Virgin Mary, built in the 30s of the last century.
Svalyava, rich in ancient sights, has even preserved for curious tourists the remains of an ancient castle of IX-XIV centuries on the right bank of the Latoritsa River in the area of the Veretsky Pass. But all the advantages of the small town do not end here.
One of the most valuable treasures of Svalyava is its mineral springs. According to legend, they were given to the city in the Middle Ages, who fled from Europe during the «witch hunt» witches, who were peacefully accepted by the locals. In total, there are more than 100 springs in the vicinity of Svalyava, which make up a third of all springs in Transcarpathia. Mineral waters made vacation in Svalyava popular several centuries ago, and today here have opened their doors modern sanatoriums, which successfully treat the widest range of different diseases. Svalyava is a well-known balneological resort even in Europe, and residents of many neighboring countries know about this attraction of Ukraine.
For all those who want to enjoy the picturesque clean nature, improve their health, see the most interesting sights of Transcarpathia, Svalyava is a wonderful place that always welcomes guests who come here in search of the best rest.