“Arrested” valuable documents of Transcarpathia (PHOTOS)

Beregovo subdivision of the State Archives of Transcarpathian region is in need of repair. The building was constructed back in 1872 as a prison… So, now, the valuable heritage of Transcarpathia is metaphorically "arrested", because it is kept in prison, where "convicts served term" in the past. The three-storey "mini-castle" with the administrative building was reconstructed for the purpose of keeping important documents in the mid-20th century by turning almost 50 cells into rooms with shelves filled with papers.

"Despite the fact that the walls are strong, ceilings are high and light barely gets into the room through small barred windows, and this is important, the institution still needs reconstruction and installation of modern communications", – the director of the institution Mykhailo Misyuk said. He added: "employees ensure airing, drying of rooms with files, however, this "manual ventilation technology" is not relevant with the current capabilities…"

Currently, in Beregovo, there are documents dating back from the 14th century to the USSR era. Among them, there are more than 20 unique ones, such as the one with "the seal of King Sigismund", whereby the king granted "rights and freedoms" to Mukachevo. There are cadastral maps drawn with pencil dating back to the 19th century and old printed books.

Manuscripts require enhanced control of air temperature and humidity parameters, so it is important to resolve the issue with modernization of the facilities and, at least, roof repairs as soon as possible.