A souvenir from Transcarpathia, or the crafts that make the Silver Land famous

Almost everyone who visits Transcarpathia wants to take a piece of its local colour home with them. The picturesque nature, rich culture, delicious cuisine and authentic everyday life - all of this amazes visitors from distant lands and makes them a little envious. The travel company “Pro Karpaty” will help you choose the best souvenir from Transcarpathia.

However, a question often arises: “What best symbolises our land - what could you possibly give someone so that it is associated precisely with Transcarpathia?”

All the souvenir products of our region can be roughly divided into authentic and stylised. Authentic items were, or still are, used in everyday life. It is pleasing to note that they are all handmade and mostly crafted from natural materials.

First and foremost, these are woollen goods. They make lizhnyky (woven woollen blankets); they sew quilts, duvets and waistcoats; they knit socks, hats and scarves from ecologically clean sheep’s wool, mainly in the Rakhiv area.

Goods made of willow wicker are what the Khust district, and specifically the village of Iza, is famous for. As part of our “Highlights of the Khust Region” excursion we visit this village, where we join a basket-weaving master class. Here they make all sorts of baskets, planters, souvenirs and even furniture - that is, not only authentic items but also quite modern ones. Besides wicker, they use bark and sorghum here; another interesting material for the craftspeople of Iza is maize leaves.

From wood in Transcarpathia they craft small boxes, salt cellars, pepper pots and hairbrushes. However, when choosing such products you should be careful not to buy similar items of Chinese manufacture. If you are fond of goods made precisely from this material, look out for wooden plates or magnets bearing the symbols of Transcarpathia.

Traditional embroidered shirts and towels have their own distinctive features in every district of the region. The shops of Uzhhorod display the work of local craftswomen with various patterns. Even if you fail to pick something to your taste from the vast array of embroidered shirts on offer, you can place an individual order. In addition, you may come across women’s shirts and dresses masterfully embroidered with beads - an incredible beauty! Incidentally, that last material is also used to make jewellery: traditional gerdans or contemporary necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

There are craftsmen and craftswomen in Transcarpathia who make clay jewellery and other ceramic items: tableware, little bells, protective horseshoes and magnets. The craftswomen of Uzhhorod and Mukachevo are the best at moulding and painting them.

Also in demand are contemporary glassware items: pictures, figurines and jewellery. They are used to make Christmas angels, painted eggs, earrings and little baskets.

Textile items are gradually appearing in souvenir shops too: dolls, cushions and quilts.

And for gourmets, especially prized will be the ecological craft treats. These include local products from cheese dairies, breweries and wineries. In Transcarpathia, the produce of various local farms is especially popular, such as those raising Carpathian buffalo, snails, mangalitsa pigs, ostriches, goats and deer. Transcarpathian wines, cheeses, honey, lekvar (fruit spread) and meat products are not only very tasty but also ecologically clean and good for your health! Such a souvenir from Transcarpathia will delight even the most discerning gourmets!

As for the cost of souvenir products, prices vary depending on where they are sold. Naturally, buying one product or another will be considerably cheaper in the place where it is made. That is why we recommend buying keepsake souvenirs during our excursions, from local craftspeople. Fortunately, the shops also offer goods to suit every budget.

When choosing souvenirs from Transcarpathia, follow your own inner preferences; the main thing is that it be beautiful, useful and delicious!