The Castles of Ukraine Part 2: Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle

Up to this point in my time living in Ukraine Kamianets-Podilskyi had the most startling geography we had run into.  The town is divided by the Smotrych River and both sides of the town sit on high cliffs.  Here is the view from both sides of the main bridge.

Along the railings of the bridge people had placed locks representing their relationship like the bridge in Kharkiv I wrote about previously.  The view led to some pretty nice images.

We stayed just about a half a mile from the road leading to the Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle.  It was first built in the early 14th century and it defended the town against raids by the Tartars and Ottomans.  In the 18th century it was converted to a prison and served as that through 1914.

Today, inside the walls you'll find a museum as well as some kids activities like an tiny archery range.  Here's a shot of one of the castle's towers.

Who doesn't love a good rampart, am I right?

Here's a panoramic photo I took from one of the castle's windows.  Click on the link for a larger version of the photo. 

  

The Castles of Ukraine Part 1: Khotyn Fortress

Ukraine's two major castles, Khotyn Fortress and the Old Kam'yanets Castle, are both located near the city of Kamianets-Podilskyi [K-P for short] and so while visiting K-P we were able to squeeze in two of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine in one day.  Here is Part 1 of our visits to the castles of Ukraine with our visit to Khotyn Fortress.  

As you exit the parking lot and head down the path towards the castle you encounter one of the newest additions to the grounds.  This huge monument honors the hetmen, the title of the leaders of Cossacks, who held the castle in the 1500's.   

The view of the castle from the upper path.

The view of the inner walls.

Besides the great view the highlight of the visit was what they had on display in the dungeons.

They had a huge collection of medieval siege weapons.  This brings me back to the days of playing Age of Empires in high school!  We begin with a ballista which is a crossbow on steroids.

This trebuchet was the largest weapon they had on display and it nearly reached the ceiling.

It's hard to image this catapult doing much damage when compared to the trebuchet.

Now that you've broken down the walls with the trebuchet and catapult now you can break down the castle walls with a battering ram.

Here you have the front and back view of some primitive cannons.

To get a little closer to the castle you would use one of these shields on wheels.

From the defensive perspective you could always try dropping some boiling oil down on the siege forces.  

If you happen to capture on of the attackers the Iron Wooden Maiden would be waiting for them.

Or...if you need to charge your cellphone feel free to use one of the outlets in the dungeon as well!