It’s impossible to imagine Kamenets-Podolsky without the famous old castle - a unique defense structure of XI-XVII centuries, built on a rocky headland near the narrow isthmus, through which there led a long main road to the Old Town
It’s impossible to imagine Kamenets-Podolsky without the famous old castle - a unique defense structure of XI-XVII centuries, built on a rocky headland near the narrow isthmus, through which there led a long main road to the Old Town. The stone fortifications of XI century, built on the even earlier ones, resemble less the present-day stronghold with 11 towers connected with the high walls. The remains of the ancient fortifications are found in various parts of the castle: in the Day tower - a fragment of wall with loopholes, and the remains of the small, oval tower – in the middle of the castle courtyard near the Laska tower.
The first significant expansion of the castle took place during mid-late XIV-XV century, it began by Cracow voivode Spytko Melshtynskyy, who had possessed Kamenets for four years (1395-1399) and died in battle against the Tatars. In the middle of XV century the castle was replaned. The old towers were upgraded, 10 new ones were built (2 of them survived). The second reconstruction took place in the middle of the XVI century under the direction of military engineer and architect Job Pretfesa, who built the two towers - the New West and New East (over the old wells, which still exists today) and Polna Gates with bridge, which remnants have been recently found by restorers.
At the beginning of XVII century with the advent of long-range artillery, the military expert Theophilus Shomberg built stone-earthen bastions, called the New Fortress, in front of the western facade of the castle.
Castle in Kamenets-Podolsky
Despite modernization, in 1672 Kamenets Castle was occupied by Turkish troops led by sultan Mohammed IV. The cause of the defeat of the Poles was not in the unreliability of the fortifications but in the historical conditions of the Rzeczpospolita, which at that time was unprepared to face a massive Turkish army.
In the XVIII - XIX centuries on the north and south there were built two bastions, in the courtyard there were erected barracks buildings. But despite numerous reconstructions, the Castle is a unique architectural ensemble.
Having visited the fortress, you will be convinced that everything in the fortress had been associated with the development of the military art. With the change of tactics and arms there were changes in fortress features. There are 11 towers in the Old Castle, connected with billows, Kamenets-Podolsky Castleand one single (water tower). The walls of the fortress are low and narrow, because the nature itself performs defensive functions. The fortress is situated on the high rocky isthmus, washed by the river Smotrich. Having built the fortress on the altitude of 25 meters, the architect had skillfully used the natural peculiarities and protected the city from the enemy attacks.
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Free parking next to the castle
Adults: 40 UAH
Children: 20 UAH
Tour with a guide: 200 UAH/group
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free audio guide (UA, RU, EN)
- Free entrance for the children up to 6 years old
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