Visits to interesting places in Ukraine. Great love story. Monument to Princess Ilona Zrinyi.

We are once again standing on the viewing platform of Mukachevo Palanok Castle. Before us is a beautiful view of Mukachevo, surrounded by blue mountains and snow forests. There is a monument Ilona Zrinyi with her son. Ilona Zrinyi was an outstanding figure in the history of Croatia and Hungary in the 17th century.

 In 40 years, Ilona Zrinyi widow, left with her three children, but having inherited Mukachevo castle and very unfriendly in-law - Sophia Bathory.

While Mukachesky Castle is a well-equipped fortress. Several drawbridge protected watchtowers great princely house (42 rooms), 88 rooms for servants, 25 basements, 22 casemates, owner courtyard with stables, brewery, for the production of gunpowder plant - a real small town.

How can a beautiful and very smart woman who knows 10 languages, mathematics, ballistics and other science live without love? Can not. Because right now and start a romantic love story.

Ilona Zrinyi meets Imre Tekeli, who was younger than her 14 years. But he was a hero in every sense of the word.  He participates in the formation of the army kurutsev (Crusaders), which brings together all the discontented, nobles and peasants, Hungarians and Slovaks.

Near Mukachevo, in Chynadiyevo, there is St. Miklos Castle, which is now called the castle the most romantic love. It is here that there were secret meetings  Ilona Zrinyi and Imre Tekeli. Why they were secret, I do not know. After all, Ilona was a widow, Imre Tekeli was also free. But, according to legend, it was the happiest time of their love.  

According to eyewitnesses, the ghost of Ilona Zrinyi is still haunting the castle. 

And perhaps, Ilona had to hide these meetings from the hated in-law - Sophia Bathory, since only after her death in 1680, the lovers stopped hiding their relationship.

Romance lush wedding, which took place in Mukachevo castle in 1662. Most likely the wedding took place in this upper court. 8 feast days. "Wedding 39 years Zrini and 25-year-old Tekeli held in Palanca 15 June 1682. For 8 days, guests ate 10 fattened oxen, 36 calves, 20 pigs, 80 sheep, four deer, 10 deer, six wild boars, two deer, . 50 pheasants, 70 turkeys, 250 quails, 160 partridges, 120 ducks, 150 Seleznev, 8 quintals of fish, 50 quintals of honey and sugar drank 130 barrels of red and 150 white wine barrels, 40 barrels of beer, and 25 small drums Polish vodka. "

How did the course of history  you can read here. I want on this to finish his story. Continuing my travels in the next post.

Legend about what happens if to hold gold finger  a monument for the Prince..