13 “magnets” of Transcarpathia: Attraction # 1 – Rakhiv district (PHOTOS)

13 reasons to visit Transcarpathia, its unique districts and their tourist attractions.

Each time, planning a trip, we first choose the "magnet" (facility, place…), which we want to see. Everyone has different choices, depending on their preferences and priorities. Some look for landscapes, others are interested in historical content. And that’s fine, because such different choices make travels and experience unique and individual. 

Here are 13 "author’s visions" of 13 districts of Transcarpathia. 

Magnet # 1

Rakhiv district is the highest district in Ukraine, and therefore it is primarily associated with mountainous area, hiking and camping in the tents, and of course, the Hoverla. But what can this land offer those who are attracted by other landscapes and prefer passive, educational tourism, rather that active?!

For me, the answer is simple – it’s definitely the GEOGRAPHIC CENTER OF EUROPE, the unique experience that one should get to be able to say with pride: "I was in the heart of Europe."

Now a bit of history. The geodetic mark of the geographical center of Europe is located in Rakhiv district in the village of Dilove. Back in the days of Austro-Hungary, when planning the railroad between Rakhv and Sighetu Marmaţieit, geographers from the Vienna Military Geographic Institute were sent to this area. According to the results of the geodesic research, they determined that these coordinates "47° 57′ N, 24° 11′ E" were the geographical center of Europe. They put up a sign with the inscription: "This is a permanent, exact, eternal place, defined by a special apparatus manufactured in Austria-Hungary, in the European system of latitudes and longitudes in 1887" (translated from Latin). And although there was nothing about the "center" there, the corresponding inscription appeared in 1977.

This is a rather controversial issue to date, and there also are such "centers" in Lithuania, Hungary, Estonia… In 1989, the Guinness Book of Records recognized the village of Bernotai (26 km from Vilnius, Lithuania) as the "official" geographical center of Europe and gave it a relevant certificate. However, I believe that the "heart" of Europe is here, and different methods of measuring give us such hope. So, if you are in Rakhiv ditrict, make a wish there, and it will surely come true, provided, of course, you do it "from the heart and in the heart."

To be continued…