Kamyanets-Podilskyy
(Kamianiec Podolski)
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The fortress town of Kamyanets-Podilskyy
(or Kamianiec Podolski, in Polish) is one of the oldest
in Ukraine. Once the ancient capital of Podilia, its historical
importance is said to be surpassed only by Kyiv and Lviv.
Historians may disagree as to whether the town was established
in the 11th-12th centuries or whether it emerged later,
in the late 14th century. |
In any case, what followed is a rich history marked by repeated
invasion, destruction, reconstruction and expansion. The following
historical accounts appear in Wikipedia
and another website
dedicated to Kamyanets-Podilskyy:
"The town is first mentioned in 1062 as a town of
Kievan Rus'. In 1241 it was sacked and destroyed by Mongol
(Tatar) invaders. In 1352 it was annexed by the Polish King
Casimir III, and became the capital of Podole Voivodship
and the seat of local civil and military administration.
The ancient castle was reconstructed and substantially expanded
by the Polish kings to defend Poland from the southeast
against Ottoman and Tatar invasions. After the Treaty of
Buczacz (1672) it was briefly part of Turkey and capital
of a local eyalet. To counter the Turkish threat to the
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, King Jan III Sobieski built
a fortress near by, Okopy Swietej Trójcy ("the
Entrenchments of the Holy Trinity"). In 1699 the city
was recaptured by Poland. The fortress was continually enlarged
and was regarded as the strongest in the Polish-Lithuanian
Commonwealth. The preserved ruins of the fortress still
contain the iron cannon balls stuck in them from various
sieges."
"In the 14th-18th centuries, due to the favourable
geographic position, Kamyanets-Podilsky was coveted by numerous
invaders who considered the city a fine stronghold. After
a short period under the rule of the Lithuanian feudal lords
from 1374 to 1430, the city laboured under the Polish yoke
(1434-1793). Polish masters marked their protracted rule
by building numerous churches, dwellings and fortified structures
which, to a great extent, defined the general aspect of
the city. Turkish rule, short as it was, 1672- 1699, also
left its imprint on the city's architecture. As early as
the beginning of the 15th century, the main principles of
the city planning and construction were established in accordance
with Old Rus tradition which predominated over both West
European and Muslim architectural traditions."
Kamyanets-Podilskyy was proclaimed a historical and architectural
preserve in 1977, in recognition of the over 200 architectural
landmarks in the town. Tourism has blossomed over the last
decade, and there are many other attractions to draw visitors,
apart from the ancient fortress. The official website of Podilski
Tovtry National Nature Park has an incredible collection
of photographs of the town and surrounding region, as well
as links to many other useful sites.
Location: 75 km southeast of Tovste
Website: https://www.tovtry.km.ua/en/index.html
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