Стара фортеця The old fortress

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Kamianets-Podilskyi cannot be imagined without the famous Old Castle - a unique fortification of the XI-XVIII centuries, built on a rocky promontory near a narrow isthmus, through which led the ancient main road to the Old Town. The 11th-century stone fortifications, built on the basis of even earlier ones, bore little resemblance to a modern mighty fortress with 11 towers connected by high walls. Remains of ancient Russian fortifications have been found in different parts of the castle: in the Day Tower - a fragment of a wall with loopholes, and the remains of a small, oval in plan tower - in the middle of the castle yard near Laska Tower. Despite numerous reconstructions, the castle is the only architectural ensemble. Many historical events and famous names are connected with Kamenets Castle.

In the courtyard of the fortress and the premises there are shops, cafes, small museums.
The papal tower of the fortress is named after Pope Julius II, who donated funds to the Polish King Alexander Jagiellonian to repair the tower. The construction work was supervised by military engineer and architect Yov Pretfes (Pretvich). In the 1640s, he reinforced the rock base of the tower with masonry, installed new ceilings and openings, as well as a gate in the first tier for easy rolling of guns. Construction was completed mainly in the early XVI century. Another name - Karmelyukova - is associated with her imprisonment in 1818-1823, the leader of the popular uprising in Podolia Ustym Karmalyuk. On the wall of the tower there is a memorial plaque, and in the tower itself a reconstructed chamber for its maintenance.