River Smotrich creating a canyon as omega-shaped loop. On the territory of the peninsula formed by the canyon is Kamianets-Podilskyi fortress. The creators of the fortress have found the perfect place to build it because from all sides of the peninsula cut off by the cliffs and on only one side has a narrow isthmus width of 9 meters. Protect such a small area isthmus was not difficult and for the enemy capture of fortress seemed impossible.

Kamianets-Podilskyi fortress was first mentioned in 1374 in the charter of Prince Yury Koriatovich who owned at the time of Podolia. Archaeological research indicates that there was a fortress in the tenth and thirteenth centuries. At first it was a typical Old Kiev Rus wooden fortifications. The walls and towers were mostly wooden and stone only partially.

In the XV century Podolia was occupied by the Polish gentry and Kamianets-Podilskyi became the center of the province and important point of defense of the Rzeczpospolita.

In the middle of the XVI century strengthening wooden fort under the supervision of Job Pretvich were replaced by stone. The fortress is a polygon elongated surrounded by high walls with towers at each corner. To the right of east gate is single storey pentahedral Black Tower with a well depth of 36 meters and 6 meters in diameter. Next round is 10 towers - Lyantskoronskaya, Commandant, Rozhanka, Water, New, Dennaya, Lascaux, Tenchinskaya, hood and left of the east gate - Papal or Karmelyukova. This is the last name of the tower was in the XIX century. When it was locked up Ustim Karmelyuk.

In 1672 the city of Kamianets-Podilskyi captured by Turks. Due to the fact that here was situated the Turkish garrison, castle and bridge began to call "Turkish". After joining in 1812 Bessarabia to the Russian Empire Turkish border was moved and Kamianets-Podilskyi Fortress as a defensive structure has lost its value. It began to be used for placement of the garrison and later - as a prison.

It is said that the Turkish Sultan Osman II struck power walls and towers as well as a deep gorge surrounded thefortress he exclaimed: "Who created this stone wonder?". "Maybe Allah himself" - said loyalists. "So let Allah himself takes the fortress!" - said the sultan and ordered the troops to retreat.

You could visit Kamianets-Podilskyi Sights - Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle
with Ukraine Tour West Ring

Pavel Korsun
Tour Guide
Ukraine tours and Kiev tours

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