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Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle
Castle and fortress in Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle (Ukrainian: Кам'янець-Подільська фортеця; Polish: twierdza w Kamieńcu Podolskim; Lithuanian: Podolės Kameneco tvirtovė) is a former Ruthenian-Lithuanian[1] castle and a later three-part Polish fortress[2][3][4] located in the historic city of Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine, in the historic region of Podolia in the western part of the country. Its name is attributed to the root word 'kamin', from the Slavic word for 'stone'.
Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle | |
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Кам'янець-Подільський замок | |
Khmelnytskyi Oblast | |
![]() Seven of the castle's original twelve towers dominate over the surrounding Smotrych River canyon landscape. | |
Coordinates | 48°40′24″N 26°33′45″E |
Type | Castle |
Site history | |
Built | |
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Historical accounts date Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle to the early 14th century, although recent archaeological evidence has proved human existence in the area back to the 12th or 13th century.[5] Initially built to protect the bridge connecting the city with the mainland,[6] the castle sits on top of a peninsula carved out by the winding Smotrych River, forming a natural defense system for Kamianets-Podilskyi's historic Old Town neighborhood.
Its location on a strategic transport crossroad in Podolia made the castle a prime target for foreign invaders, who rebuilt the castle to suit their own needs,[7] adding to its multicultural architectural diversity. Specifically, the complex consists of the Old Town fortified by King Casimir IV, the Old Castle rebuilt by Kings Sigismund I and Stephen Báthory, and the New Castle founded by Kings Sigismund III and Władysław IV.[2] However, in spite of the many architectural and engineering changes to the original structure, the castle still forms a coherent architectural design,[8][9] being one of the few medieval constructions in modern-day Ukraine that is relatively well preserved.[10]
Along with the Old Town neighborhood, the castle is listed as part of the National Historical-Architectural Reserve "Kamianets" and the National Environmental Park "Podilski Tovtry". The complex is a candidate UNESCO World Heritage Site, nominated in 1989 by the Ukrainian representatives,[11] and also one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine.[12] Today, Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle is the most recognized landmark of the city,[13] serving as an important regional and national tourist attraction.[14]