In the Khmelnitsky region, not far from the mysterious Smotrych River, on the high slopes is the mysterious medieval city of Kamenetz-Podolsky. Sights of these places annually attract hundreds of thousands of tourists who are eager to get acquainted with the history and culture of Western Ukraine. According to some reports, the city was founded during the time of Kievan Rus, on its territory during different periods Sarmatians, Scythians, Alans lived. All peoples left a piece of their traditions, so Kamenetz-Podolsky is so many-sided today, has a rich history, keeps numerous secrets hidden in ancient fortresses.
History of the city
A stone miracle, a flower on a stone - as soon as they do not call Kamenetz-Podolsky. The sights of the city make the traveler reflect on its history. It is still unknown when it was founded. Nomadic tribes settled on this place, but it is not known where they disappeared. As a full-fledged independent city with self-government, Kamenetz-Podolsky appeared during the time of Kievan Rus. In difficult periods, he tried to balance in order to prevent destruction and maintain stability. Residents regularly paid tribute to the khans, were subordinate to the Principality of Lithuania, and transferred to Poland. Over its centuries-old history, I saw a lot of things and survived the city on a stone. The main thing is that he managed, to our days, to preserve his architectural, cultural and historical heritage. Today, everyone can get acquainted with the sights and simply beautiful corners of the Khmelnitsky region.
What to do in Kamenetz-Podolsky
Despite the long history, the city cannot be called ancient, gloomy, unsuitable for receiving tourists. On the contrary, there are a lot of comfortable hotels and hotels, you can stay in the private sector. Almost every street has a cafe, snack bar or restaurant, so no one will remain hungry. Much attention is paid to the excursion program, guides are working to show the city visitors all the most interesting places, tell their story, and acquaint themselves with legends. Kamenetz-Podolsky is a very beautiful city, you can admire the local landscapes from early morning until late at night. Everything contributes to relaxation, calm and measured rest in the lap of nature. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists from different countries come to Kamenetz-Podolsky. Sights, excursions to nearby villages, a trip to restaurants - all this allows you to fully relax, recharge your batteries and discover the many secrets of the Middle Ages.
Reviews of tourists about Kamyanets-Podilsky
Absolutely all travelers find something to their liking in this beautiful city. A huge number of attractions, beautiful landscapes combined with comfortable hotels, an abundance of restaurants and cafes make the rest in Kamenetz-Podolsky interesting, eventful, full of joy and fun. Tourists note the good-naturedness of local residents, their willingness to help, introduce their culture and history. Kamenetz-Podolsky is a paradise for travelers who decide to relax in the lap of nature.
Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
The architectural ensemble has great historical and cultural significance. Peter and Paul Cathedral was originally built of wood in 1375. Bishop Yakov Buchatsky erected it from stone at the beginning of the 16th century. In the second half of the 17th century, the cathedral passed to the Turks, who made it the main city mosque, adding a 36-meter minaret with 145 stone steps. In 1756, when the church was again returned to the Poles, they installed a 3.5-meter statue of the Virgin Mary with a halo of 12 stars, she is the intercessor and protector of the whole region.
History of the Turkish Castle Bridge
None of the historians can name the exact age of this magnificent structure. Castle Turkish bridge was designed by an unknown architect in ancient times. It stretches across the Smotrych river, connecting the Kamyanets-Podilsky fortress with the Old Town. The bridge was named Turkish because it was reconstructed in the 17th century, when the city belonged to the Ottoman Empire. It leads to the Old and New Fortress - unique defensive structures of the era of feudalism.
Stephen Bathory Tower
The seven-story large defensive structure is part of the Polish Gate complex. The tower was built at its own expense by the Polish king Stefan Batory in 1564-1585, so it bears his name. The construction is located on the gentle bank of the Smotrych River. Since this is the most vulnerable place for citizens, the tower was a very significant part of the fortification system that protected the city from enemy raids. In the XVII century, the construction of the furrier craft workshop repaired the building at its own expense. In 1711, the Russian Tsar Peter I visited the tower, and in the 1780s commandant Jan de Witte renovated the structure, building it to seven tiers and attaching a rectangular-shaped building.
The splendor of the Vrublevsky forest
At the confluence of the Dniester and Tarnava, a forest spreads in the hills, striking the guests of Kamenetz-Podolsky with its beauty and majesty. This is a unique botanical monument created by nature itself, it occupies an impressive territory of 89 hectares. The forest consists mainly of hornbeams and oaks, but there are also very interesting, rare specimens. In the reserve you can see white sedge, on steep hills called tottra, orchids grow - ordinary nests.
Not far from the forest is the village of Vrublevtsi, it is also of interest to curious tourists. The fact is that in its place archaeologists discovered sites related to the Early Paleolithic period, that is, about 300 thousand years ago. Thanks to the excavations, it was possible to find out that the settlements of the Early Tripoli, the sites of the Early Scythian period, the early Slavs, the inhabitants of Ancient Russia lived in the territory that Kamenetz-Podolsky occupies today. The sights of these places amaze not only with their beauty, but also with antiquity. It seems that here every tree, every pebble has its own story, full of mysteries and secrets.
History of the Dominican Monastery
One of the most beautiful temples of the Kamenetz-Podolsk Territory is located on the highest point of the Old Town. The Dominican monastery is mentioned in the writings of many writers and poets. The first mention of it is found in the writings of 1372. At that time, the building was wooden, in 1420 it burned down. The Potocki rebuilt the monastery, but during the Turkish rule it was renamed the mosque. At that time, a Muslim pulpit was installed in the Dominican temple, it was preserved intact to the present day.
Bishop's castle
The ruins of the Chernokozinetsk castle are located near the river canyon. The building was erected in the XIV century, and from the XV to the XVIII century in the warm season, local bishops lived here. Catholic priests fortified and completed the castle. Previously, Polish garrisons often stayed here, protecting the city from the attack of the Tatars. Unfortunately, the wealth of the bishops constantly attracted attention to the castle of both Tatars and Cossacks, so the building constantly had to be protected from raids. Catherine II also contributed to the history of the Chernokozintsevs. In 1795, the tsarina gave the bishopric possessions to Countess Litte, Grigory Potemkin’s niece . The castle has a difficult fate, it constantly changed its owners, and world wars completely knocked it out. From the once magnificent building, only ruins remained.
The most popular sights of the city
Kamenetz-Podolsky boasts many interesting places. Sights, photos of which cause an unbearable desire to be in this picturesque region, amaze the imagination of adults and children. The city has a lot of worthy architectural masterpieces. Among them, it is worth highlighting the Zhvanetsky castle, built back in the 15th century, the Polish and Russian gates, which are a unique fortification and hydraulic structure, the Armenian well, reminiscent of the castle tower of the Middle Ages. Behind the Old Fortress, on a high hill, is the "Concord Table" - a sculptural composition established in 2001. It is a symbol of the cultural diversity of the region.
A huge number of castles, towers, bastions, bridges are famous for Kamenetz-Podolsky. Sights of the city do not let travelers get bored. There is something to see, what to study, what to think about. When compiling a route for every day, you should definitely visit the Reznitskaya Tower, the house of theological seminary, the Pottery Tower, the Lookout Canyon, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. All these architectural monuments are interesting for their history of creation and further fate. Kamenetz-Podolsky is an amazing city, on the one hand it is modern, but on the other - it blows from antiquity, mystery. Tourists return home with a good mood and fond memories of the city. Interesting architectural and historical monuments, picturesque landscapes open for guests of the region a new, previously unexplored Western Ukraine.