If you are fascinated by the medieval spirit, our advice would be to try Kamyanets-Podilsky. The air of this small town in Khmelnitsky region is so richly saturated with history that it will envelope every little bit of you as soon as your feet touch the cobbled streets. A rocky island skirted by a tight loop in the river Smotrych (an estuary of the Dniester) flowing into a gorgeous canyon served as a natural pedestal on which this miracle in stone was created over a thousand years ago.
The town’s history has followed a long and winding path as a melting pot for a multitude of nations. Founded back in the 11th century by Eastern Slavic settlers, the town also became home to Armenian merchants who contributed a lot toward its further prosperity. In the 13th century, as a part of Galicia-Volyn, Kamyanets-Podilsky suffered during the attacks of the Mongol-Tatar Horde. Later on in the 14th –18th centuries, due to its favorable geographic location, the town was coveted by the strongest medieval powers of the region. Lithuanian princes, Polish magnates, Ottoman sultans and Russian tsars all considered it a crucial stronghold. Different people have lived side by side in Kamyanets-Podilsky for centuries, each with their own religion and culture. This could not help but leave a trace in the town’s unique appearance. The Poles built two elegant cathedrals, the Central and the Dominican. During the 27-year occupation by the Turks, who seized the town in 1672, the cathedrals were turned into mosques. Interestingly, when the Poles returned, they refused to tear down the additional minarets. They just added a statue of the Virgin Mary on top, symbolizing the victory of the Christian faith. The statue can still be seen there, proudly towering over the city.
The city’s main attraction is its Old Castle to the left of the Castle Bridge over the Smotrych basin linking the fortress with the Old City. Since antiquity, the walls of the Old Castle have witnessed many battles but have survived through the ravages of time. Today, on the contrary, the Old Castle welcomes foreign guests. The only battles that take place here today are well-organized knights’ tournaments.
Its stunning historic surroundings, and inspired by the romantic spirit, this town has imbued the inhabitants of Kamyanets-Podilsky with a passion for original holidays, and they certainly know how to organize a memorable show. The annual “Cup of Podillya” hot-air ballooning competition starts in May. Dozens of colorful balloons fly over the Old City, the Fortress, and the canyon.