MEDZHYBIZH CASTLE IN THE 1760th YEARS INVENTORIES

Abstract

This article introduces documentary information about the structure, condition, functional purpose and actual use of the fortification complex, residential and economic buildings of the Medzhybizh castle in the second half of the 18th century. For this purpose, the text of the inventory descriptions of Medzhybizh castle in 1763, 1765, 1767 in Polish, adapted to modern spelling, and its parallel translation in Ukrainian are published. Until nowadays, in scientific publications about Medzhybizh Castle, there are many assumptions and myths about the arrangement of Medzhybizh Castle, which are not taken from documentary sources, but from popular publications in magazines of the 19th century. Famous researchers of the 20th century (Lohvyn, Lopushynska) and subsequent authors were again guided mainly by their assumptions and not by archival documents. As a result, a false impression was created that Medzhybizh Castle in the 18th century was significantly rebuilt as a romantic residence of princes Sieniawski and Czartoryski. Inventories, stored in the archive of manuscripts of the Czartoryski Library (Kraków, Poland), eliminate some false assumptions about the functioning of the Medzhybizh Castle in the 18th century, which until now were perceived as known facts. Documents show that the castle buildings during this period were used mainly for the economic activities of the Medzhybizh manor, and not as a “romantic residence”. At the same time, certain military functions of the castle complex are preserved. The specific purpose of most of the premises of the palace and other castle buildings is clarified. A consistent description of the premises proves that the castle has not undergone significant reconstruction since the 18th century. It has survived to the present day in almost the same form described in the inventories of the 1760s, except for a few minor changes. At the same time, some building elements (parts of windows, doors, ceiling, floor) for the second half of the 18th century are also quite archaic, which indicates the lack of modernization over a long period. Many details of the castle interior are typical for the 16th and 17th centuries. This inventory description, together with other documents, allows us, with high accuracy, to reconstruct the appearance and life of Medzhybizh Castle in the second half of the 18th century. It can be a basis for further archaeological and architectural research and restoration of the monument. The text of the inventories is accompanied by comments on the peculiarities and differences of the documents of different years, a Glossary of archaic, local words, building terms of the 18-19th centuries.