Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle
«Flower on the Rock» — Kamianets-Podilskyi Fortress
On the high bank of Smotrych River, sticking sharp spears in their turrets into the blue sky, with the rocky hills around, it is possible to see Kamianets-Podilskyi medieval fortress of the extraordinary beauty and elegance. Over six centuries it was admired by contemporaries, architectural masterpieces Peter I wanted to unravel its secrets of defense, but it was only conquered by Turkish Army; it attracts by its beauty and mystery to this day visitors from all over Ukraine and the world.
People are convinced that the fortress «was built by hand of God», because just nature gave it amazing ability to remain impregnable to enemies and favorable to friends. Steep rocky banks rising above the wide Smotrych river bed (width up to 250 meters), high walls with loopholes equipped with a powerful defense arsenal (10 guns and 1 tarasnytsia (so called fortress gun)), ancient legends and amazing landscape – all this makes it incredibly beautiful and mysterious.
Kamianets-Podilskyi — sights and history of the castle in Kamianets-Podilskyi
History of the ancient town Kamianets-Podilskyi, the historic center of Podillia begins with the fortress. But scientists still can not reach a consensus as to the date of the establishment of the fortification. According to the one of the versions, the fortress in Kamianets-Podilskyi was built by Lithuanian Princes in the middle of the XIV century. They chose this area for its strengthening, as believed that the castle surrounded by a moat would ensure complete inaccessibility and give its residents a peaceful and happy life. According to the legend, it was here, in order to escape from the princes who were hunting a deer, they came here. According to another version, the emergence of "flower on the rock" as the fortress was called by known Ukrainian writer Lesya Ukrainka is become clear due to other events. Proponents of Roman origin claim that the building was in these lands back in the II century. According to their observations, the appearance of the arched bridge, depicted in the famous Trojan column in Rome from the outside is like the castle fortress's bridge. Could this be a strong argument to explain the origin of Kamianets-Podilskyi "flower" or not, is not known for certain. However, the modern look it acquired during the Polish rule in the XVI century, when due to the design of the architect Hiob Bretfus all wooden buildings were replaced by the stone ones. 
In 1928 the central part of the fortress, or, as it is still called – the Old Castle – received the status of State Historical and Cultural Reserve. Today is National Historical and Architectural Reserve «Kamianets-Podilskyi». It is recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine and is listed as monuments of the world cultural heritage protected by UNESCO. Today the Old castle in Kamianets-Podilskyi is shaped elongated polygon with high fenced wall and the area is one and half acres with eleven stone towers on the perimeter. From the south (to the left of the entrance to the castle) bastion is guarded: Pope's Tower, Kovpak Tower, Tenchynska Tower and White Tower (also known as Laska Tower). On the west side (opposite to the entrance to the castle) is protected: Daily Tower, New and Western Tower or the Great Tower. From the north is guarded: Black Tower, Lanckoronska Tower (or the second Laska Tower), Commandant's Tower, Water Tower and Rozhanska Tower. At different times at their design worked great European masters and local architects, including: Vlodek, Galychanyn, Kamillus, Shomberg, Glover de Gliaiden, Rappe, Jan de Vitte, Zavadskyi and others. Each of the towers has its own name and history. Thus, the highest tower is so called Pope's Tower. The name is dedicated to its patron – Pope Julius II, who gave money for the construction of the tower. It is also called Karmaliuk because he was shut up three times here and Ustym Karmaliuk is known as invincible hero of Ukraine.
A peculiarity of another tower – Black or Corner Tower – is that it contains the deepest well in the locality with a huge wheel carved directly into the rock. Its depth reaches 40 meters, and the diameter is more then 5 meters. To get to the castle in Kamianets-Podilskyi is still possible by only one way –through the Castle Bridge which connects the two opposing parts of the town: the Old town and the New town.
Dungeons of the Castle hide many interesting facts and secrets. There are continually displays which reproduce pages of history of this monument. In the western bastion fully restored panorama of the fortress's defense against the Turks in 1672. East bastion demonstrates the exhibition «Light throwing weapons». Here visitors can try to act as Robin Hood or a medieval warrior shooting from a crossbow. The museum of the Reserve is kept the ancient Roman coins dating from the third and first centuries BC. You can also coins of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth which were in circulation in the XVІ- XVІІІ centuries, rare collection of ancient icons and crosses, sculptures made of marble in the XVІІІ -XX centuries by the Italian masters, photographs, stamps, collections of domestic and foreign porcelain, wood and metal products, textiles and samples of amazing embroidery of Podillia region collected as early as the XІX century.
Torture chamber with mechanical mannequins reproduces the scenes from the past and evokes terrible horror. The debt hole, which got malicious tax evaders, now has become a kind of symbol and guardian of poverty. It is considered if you leave a coin there you will bypass all debts. It is actually reviving pictures from the past few centuries and makes every heart beat differently.
Theatrical tour of the Old Castle, its towers and dungeons can be seen in the fortress at night. The local guide – «elder» and his assistants – «suite» adds interesting stories, songs and dances forcing guests to make the journey in real time.
Kamianets-Podilskyi — festivals and tours in Kamianets-Podilskyi
In particular the most erudite people can show their talents at the International Festival of Chess "Flower on the Rock". Young athelets will compete with the endurance to Junior Olympic Games in Kamianets-Podilskyi. On the occasion of Mother's Day winners of the performed films will be honored here.
In addition, at this time is well-known International Festival of the national cultures «Podilska rainbow» shows the new expositions in the Old Castle.
Youth rock concerts and all-Ukrainian Festival of Contemporary Music "Fortress-fest" does not leave indifferent all visitors. Festival "the City of Lovers" touches the hearts of its insight and sensibility. International Historical Festival Terra Heroica in Kamianets-Podilskyi is one of the outstanding military historical festivals. Here visitors can be witnesses of the real war preparations: tents, camps, drills and some features of armies in the XVII century. Within days, more than five hundred warrios converge in a battle under the walls of the Old Castle, recreating scenes 350 years ago.
Independence Day of Ukraine there is a very important event for all the townspeople – International Historical festival «The Last Capital of the UPR». It is dedicated to those times when Kamianets-Podilskyi became the capital of the Ukrainian People's Republic. The festival presents days of Ukrainian Revolution 1917 - 1921 years and the struggle of our fellow countrymen for their own independent country.
Music festival «The Republic» gains extraordinary publicity in September and takes place every year in several scenes of the Old and New town. Music, dance, songs paintings – all these manifestations of the street art can also be seen in Kamianets-Podilskyi these days.
The Balloon Air Festival in Kamianets-Podilskyi is an annual festival since 1998; it is so liked by visitors and organizers of the festival that it is carried out three times a year: in February, May and October.
These ancient walls still and kissed by God town hide many interesting. So if you enjoy discovering something new and exciting, still unseen, you have to go to Kamianets-Podilskyi.