Guide Book
Kamenets-Podolskiy — a city in Khmelnitsky region of Ukraine, administrative center of Kamenets-Podolskiy rigion, one of the most ancient cities of land.
Situated in the center of Volhynia-Podilskyi elevation (48° 25' northern latitude, 26° 32' EL), 101 km away from Khmelnitsky. Smotrich river flows through the city and creates omega icon loop with rocky canyon of its riverbed. Old city is placed on a territory of peninsula created by canyon. It is an ancient historical cultural complex. Old city consists of old architectural constructions that reflect cultures of nations that used to live here in different times.
City is settled as fortress that has an important geopolitical location at the border of Christian and Muslim cultures, intersection of land and water routs. City was a part of Kievan Rus, in XIII–XIV centuries — Galician-Volyn principality, then was conquered by Tatar-Mongolians. Starting from second half of XIV centuries was conquered by Lithuania; from 1430 — by Poland, from 1463 – center of Podol province, turned into fortress. It was a handicraft and trade center in Middle Ages. In development level was compared to such cities as Lvov and Kiev. In 1672 was conquered by Turkey, but in 1699 was returned to Poland. In 1793, after the third division of Poland, with the whole right bank Ukraine it was added to Russian Empire (1795-97 was a center of Podolsk region ruled by governor-general, in 1797-1917 – Podolsk province). In 1918-1921 – main center of army formation and distribution of military leaders of Ukrainian People’s Republic, the last stronghold of Ukrainian independence defenders. During Soviet authorities — large industrial town. From 1991 — composed of Ukraine. City has its own university, established in 1918.
Kamenets-Podolskiy — one of the ancient cities of Ukraine. Thanks to unique combination of historical architectural, town planning heritage, landscape of Smotrich river canyon, “Old City” was announced as state historical architectural reserve. An amount of historic landmarks of ХI-ХIХ centuries counts around 200 structures. Strong defensive walls of “Old City”, fortress and Fortress Bridge, joining of religious constructions of different religions produce a unique impression. Considering a rich historical architectural heritage of “Old City”, National Committee of Ukraine on UNESCO business recommended to include it in the list of worldwide cultural heritage in May 1994.
The biggest value — almost fully extant historical center without inclusions of 20 century architecture. 
Main city sight — old fortress, first construction started in 11-12 centuries, and main walls — 16-17 centuries. Defense walls in Kamenets-Podolskiy are considered a perfect example of the best fortifications in Eastern Europe. St. Apostles Peter and Paul Cathedral kostel (16-18 centuries) worth sightseeing and Turkish Minaret close to it, Franciscan church (14-18 centuries), city hall (14-19 cent), Nickolaevska church (14 c.). Two showrooms are opened, ethnography museums (Zamkovaja, 1), historical (John the Precurser, 2), artistic (Piatnickaja, 11). It is possible to visit botanical garden. Old center is on a peninsular, surrounded by a canyon, on the bottom Smotrich river flows, Dniester inflow. Old City is linked to central part of the city with Novoplanovy bridge. Precipitous rocky Smotrich river bank attracts mountaineers to Kamianets. There is a park amusement for banjo jumping on the way out of the city, sideways to Chernovtsy, on the bridge “Running fallow deer”— jump on a rope to canyon from 54 m height.(From 2007 work of park amusement was forbidden by local authorities for safety)
