Vyhovie

Vyhovie is a small municipality located in the Michalovce District of the Košice Region in eastern Slovakia, near the border with Ukraine. The village lies on the banks of the River Laborec, at an elevation of 120 metres above sea level. According to the most recent census carried out in 2021, Vyhovie has a population of approximately 1,250 residents, who comprise a mixture of Slovak, Rusyn, and Ukrainian ethnic groups. The majority of the inhabitants speak Slovak as their first language, with a significant number also fluent in the local Rusyn dialect.

The earliest written record of Vyhovie dates back to 1342, when the settlement was mentioned in a royal deed of land grant issued by King Louis I of Hungary. Over the centuries, the village has been influenced by a number of political entities, including the Kingdom of Hungary, the Austro‑Hungarian Empire, Czechoslovakia, and the Slovak Republic. During the World War II period, the village suffered significant hardships, including the forced relocation of some residents during the Soviet post‑war reconstruction.

Vyhovie’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, forestry, and small‑scale cottage industry. The surrounding plains support the cultivation of rye, barley, and maize, while the nearby forests provide timber and foraging opportunities for mushrooms and herbs. The village also hosts a traditional harvest festival in late September, known as "Žiar" (the Fire); the event features folk music, dancing, and the presentation of communal bread and bread‑based pastries.

Notable landmarks in Vyhovie include the 18th‑century Baroque Church of Saint Michael, which houses a collection of 19th‑century religious iconography, and a small museum dedicated to local folk traditions and the history of the Laborec Valley.