Where the Carpathian mountains meet the valleys, where the river Uzh flows, at an altitude of about 130m above sea level, the regional center of Zakarpattya is located. Hence the modern name of the city on the Uzh River — Uzhgorod. According to Hungarian historical chronicles, it used to be mentioned as Ungvar («Var» means castle).
Uzhgorod together with its sights amazes everyone with its beauty and uniqueness. Its beginnings are lost, somewhere in the darkness of centuries. Archaeological findings testify that many thousands of years ago there was a human being living here. Ungvar rightfully belongs to the oldest cities of Ukraine. It was first mentioned at the end of the IX century. Already in the X century Uzhgorod was known as the residence of the great Old Russian prince Laborets. At that time Transcarpathia was part of Kievan Rus. Later these territories became part of the Hungarian kingdom. In 1241-1242 the city was captured and destroyed by Mongol-Tatars, soon after their departure it was rebuilt.
In 1318 the Hungarian king gave Uzhgorod to the Italian counts Druget, who were its masters for 360 years. At the end of the XVII century the city became part of Austria. In 1703 a national liberation movement against the Austrian power began under the leadership of Prince Ferenc Rakoczy II. And only in 1711 Austrian troops were able to defeat the resistance of the rebellious Transcarpathians. Despite the wars, Uzhgorod developed, the population increased, trade relations rapidly expanded, fairs were organized annually, where merchants from neighboring countries came. Gradually the city became the cultural center of Transcarpathia, which operated schools, seminaries, there was a library and a printing house.
In 1848, a strong blow to the serf system in Hungary and in Transcarpathia was a bourgeois revolution. Feudal orders were replaced by capitalist ones. In addition to handicraft production appeared factory industry, the first banks emerged.
Since 1919 Zakarpattya was included in Czechoslovakia as an autonomous region of Podkarpattya Rus, the center of which became the city of Uzhgorod.
In the years of World War II in Transcarpathia developed underground anti-fascist movement, and in October 27, 1944, the Soviet troops liberated the city from the Nazi invaders.
Today Uzhgorod is the regional center of Transcarpathia. The city, like a person, has its own face, historically it was inhabited by representatives of many nationalities, so the culture of the city is interesting and unique. The present Uzhgorod is a city of extraordinary architectural ensembles, a city of unique historical sights, a city of winemaking, an economic and tourist center not only of Transcarpathia, but also of Ukraine.