The edge of castles and fortresses. Part 1
Full route: Kyiv - Medzhibizh - Zbarazh - Ternopil - Terebovlya - Buchach - Yazlovets - Chortkiv - Sidoriv - Husiatyn - Sataniv - Letychiv - Kyiv
Spring, May, a favorite time to travel home. The three-day trip took us to a turbulent era - the XVI-XVII centuries. , at a time when the lives of man and entire states depended on the serviceability of weapons and the strength of defense structures. Western Podillya was once called the foothills of Christianity. In fact, for centuries this region stopped the advance of Tatar and Turkish troops deep into the territory of the Commonwealth. Not surprisingly, all stone buildings in the region were adapted for defense, and cities were a strategically important network of fortresses. Almost every hill here is decorated with a castle, even in the walls of peaceful monasteries, churches, churches and synagogues cut loopholes.
Now Western Podillya looks like an encyclopedia of fortification art, part of which the traveler reads while walking through this region. The route contains more than 20 architectural monuments of national importance, the vast majority of which are fortifications. Therefore, the trip is interesting not only for fans of military history, but also for all those who appreciate medieval architecture and are interested in the past of Ukraine.
So, early in the morning we left Kyiv for Medzhibizh. The road of medium quality lasts about 5 hours. Medzhibozh is home to one of the most picturesque castles in Ukraine - a real medieval fortress, on the example of which we can trace the development of fortification art from the XII century. through the improvement of the XIV-XVI centuries. to the stylization "Gothic" in the XIX century.
One of the most powerful fortresses of Podillya began with the ancient Russian tower-dungeon (the so-called "pillar"), which gradually added more and more elements.
Now there are several museums, an ancient church, you can also climb the entrance tower and admire the magnificent panorama. On May 1, a biker festival began in the castle-fortress, which brought its zest and fresh breath to the medieval walls.
After Medzhibozh we went to Zbarazh, which is a few tens of kilometers from Ternopil. The design of Zbarazh Castle was commissioned by Princes Krzysztof and Yuri Zbarazhki while studying in Western Europe for the prominent Italian architect Vincenzo Scamozzi. The author was proud of his work and even described it in his own treatise, but the princes had to tinker well to implement the Italian project. In the summer of 1649
One of the greatest dramas of the Liberation War, led by Bohdan Khmelnytsky, took place near the walls of Zbarazh: the Cossack army laid siege to the castle and the fortified camp adjacent to it, in which a large Polish army was locked up.
The condition of the besieged was so severe that even Cossack chroniclers portrayed him with sympathy. The result of the successful siege of Zbarazh and the battle of Zbrovo near it was the Zboriv Agreement, which, in particular, for the first time in history delineated the borders of the Ukrainian Cossack state. Today Zbarazh Castle has a museum with an interesting collection of weapons, icons and sculptures. The castle hill offers a panoramic view of the city with the majestic Bernardine monastery (1627)
The day seemed busy, so we left the tour of Ternopil the next day. We stayed at the lovely hotel "Globus", where we were treated to very tasty local delicacies.
