Kamianets-Podilskyi [pol. Kamieniec Podolski] a city situated in the Eastern Ukraine, on the Smotrych River. The first mention of the city was made in 1062. The Koriatovych family are believed to have founded the city. Over the years, the city was under Polish control a number of times. The Polish government was solidified in Kamianets in 1430. In 1434 the city became the capital of a newly formed Podolian Voivodeship. Over the years the city flourished due to the city charter based on the Magdeburg rights. Kamianets used to be called the “Bulwark of Christianity” and the “Gateway to Poland” because of being subjected to the Tatar-Ottoman jeopardy. Kamianets kept on thriving in spite of being besieged. The city was entitled to elect the monarch. Since the 15th century it had been the seat for the gentry courts. Kamianets-Podilskyi was considered the mightiest fortress of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth on Easter Borderlands [pol. Kresy Wschodnie]. After 1617 the New Castle was erected which succeeded in repelling Ottoman attacks. Nevertheless the Polish - Ottoman wars waged in the 17th century resulting in the Ottoman Empire takeover of the city on the basis of the Treaty of Buchach. In 1699 the Commonwealth regained the city. During the partitions Kamianets-Podilskyi belonged to the Russian Empire. It has belonged to Ukraine since 1920.
Today Kamianets-Podilskyi is one of the most picturesque Ukrainian cities that citizens call “The Pearl-on the Stone” or “The Flower on the Stone”. Multicultural city with unique architectural attractions. The Old Town which constitutes a set of architectural complexes of historic value attracts crowds of tourists. The city is famous for festivals and historical performances which perfectly complies with the marvellous setting and the architecture of Kamianets.
Landmarks:
- The Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle – The Old Castle and the New Castle
- The Town hall (Polish magistrate building) at the Polish Market Square
- The Cathedral Church of Saints Peter and Paul
- “Turkish Bridge” – the Castle bridge
- The Armenian well
- Old Polish Gate
- The Armenian Orthodox Church of St Nicholas
- The Orthodox Church of Saint Cross
- The Pauline Father's Monastery
- Holy Trinity Church
- Jesuit College
Famous citizens:
- General Józef Zajączek: a Polish and French general, MP for the Great Sejm, the Governor of the Kingdom of Poland
- Aleksander Jan Potocki: the Chamberlain of Halicz, and the Smoleńsk Voivode
- Andrij Wołodymyrowycz Bondar: a young generation writer, poet, literary specialist and translator
- Ivan Ivanovitch Ohienko (1882-1972): a Ukrainian scholar, metropolitan (from 1944), political and social activist, linguist, lexicographer, Orthodox church historian, pedagogue, a member of The Shevchenko Scientific Society (elected in 1922). Sergey Bubka’s great-grandfather’s bother
- Ustym Yakymovych Karmаliuk (1787-1835): a Ukrainian national hero, leader of the uprising against national and social oppression from 1813 to 1835.
- Symon Vasylyovych Petliura (1879-1926):a Ukrainian nationalist, military and political activist, writer, literary and drama critic. Organizer of Ukrainian army forces. The military leader of the Ukrainian People's Republic (from November 1918). The leader and statesman of the Ukrainian People's Republic (May 9, 1919 – November 10, 1920)
Interesting facts:
- A bird's eye view of the Old Town resembles a Greek letter Omega
- One of the oldest canyons in the world is situated in Kamianets-Podilskyi
- Kamianets-Podilskyi is the only fortress city located on a peninsula
Festivals and cultural events:
- “Wonderful Kamianets-Podilskyi”
- “Kamianets -Retro” Festival
- “Petromania” Art Festival
- “Turka” Coffee Festival
- “Forpost” International Knights Festival
- The Cup of Podolye International Ballooning Festival
- The festival of outdoor performances and buskers’ performances Kamianets Carnival”
- “Stone Arrow” International Archery Festival
- “Street Music” Festival
- “The Last Capital” The International Festival of Military History
- “Island of Seven Treasures ” The International Festival of National Cultures
- “Terra Heroica – Nova” International Festival of Historical Reconstruction
- “Gold Omega ” The Ukrainian Cup in Ballooning
- Beer Festival
- Christmas festival “Od Mikołaja do Jordanu”
