Наталія Римлянська

Kamyanets-Podilsky is a city on the Smotrych River in western Ukraine, to the north-east of Chernivtsi. It is one of the oldest cities in Ukraine, it is considered a phenomenon of great cultural importance. A rocky island skirted by the tight loop of the Smotrich River flowing in a picturesque canyon, served as a unique pedestal on which over more than a thousand years both well-known and anonymous masters created a miracle in stone. Kamyanets-Podilsky is striking for the harmonious blend of landscape and architecture.Formerly the administrative center of the Khmelnytskyi Oblast, the city is now the administrative center of the Kamianets-Podilskyi Raion (district) within the Khmelnytsky Oblast (province), after the administrative center of the oblast was moved from the city of Kamyanets-Podilsky to the city of Khmelnytskyi in 1941. The city itself is also designated as a separate district within the region. The current estimated population is around 103,036 (2011).

Nomenclature

The first part of the city's dual name originates from kamin’ (Ukrainian: камiнь) or kamen, meaning "stone" in the Old East Slavic language. The second part of the name relates to the historic region of Podolia (Ukrainian: Поділля, Polish: Podole) of which Kamianets-Podilskyi is considered to be the historic capital. Equivalents of the name in other languages are Polish: Kamieniec Podolski; Romanian: Cameniţa Podoliei; Turkish: Kamaniçe; Latin: Camenecium; Hungarian: Kamenyeck-Podolszk; Yiddish: קאָמענעץ (Komenets)

Geography

Kamyanets-Podilsky is located in the southern portion of the Khmelnytskyi Oblast, located in the western Ukrainian region of Podillia. The Smotrych River, a tributary of the Dniester, flows through the city. The total area of the city comprises 27.84 square kilometers (10.7 sq mi).[1] The city is located about 101 kilometres (62.8 mi) from the oblast's administrative center, Several historians consider that a city on this spot was founded by the ancient Dacians, who lived in what is now modernRomania, Moldova, and portions of Ukraine.[2]

History

In 1196, early Old Rus chronicles mentioned Kamyanets as one of the cities belonging to the Gali-cian-Volhynian principality. The city survived the tide of Batu Khan invasion. In the 14th-18th centuries, due to the favourable geographic position, Kamyanets-Podilsky was coveted by numerous invaders who considered the city a fine stronghold. After a short period under the rule of the Lithuanian feudal lords from 1374 to 1430, the city laboured under the Polish yoke (1434-1793). Polish masters marked their protracted rule by building numerous churches, dwellings and fortified structures which, to a great extent, defined the general aspect of the city. Turkish rule, short as it was, 1672- 1699, also left its imprint on the city's architecture. As early as the beginning of the 15th century, the main principles of the city planning and construction were established in accordance with Old Rus tradition which predominated over both West European and Muslim architectural traditions. During its century-long history, the city greatly suffered from destruction and rebuilding. However, the old section has in the main preserved its unique architectural aspect.For many centuries Kamyanets-Podilsky was a major cultural centre for Podillya area. Armenian historians Ovanes and Stepanos Roshka, authors of the history of the Khotyn war, lived and worked there in the 17th century, while the artists I.Prakhtl, and D.Sam-pini worked in Kamyanets-Podilsky in the 18th and 19th century respectively. In 1977, to preserve the historical and architectural heritage of the city which numbers over 200 monuments, by a decree passed by the Ukrainian SSR Council of Ministers, Kamyanets-Podilsky was proclaimed a historical and architectural preserve.

Culture

Historians claim that the founders named the settlement Petridava or Klepidava, which originate from the Greek word petra or the Latin lapis meaning "stone" and the Dacian dava meaning "city". The different peoples and cultures that have lived in the city have each brought their own culture and architecture. Examples include thePolish, Ukrainian and Armenian markets.[4] Famous tourist attractions include the ancient castle, and the numerous architectural attractions in the city's center, including the cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Holy Trinity Church, the city hall building, and the numerous fortifications. Ballooning activities in the canyon of the Smotrych River have also brought tourists. Since the late 1990s, the city has grown into one of the chief tourist centers of western Ukraine. Annual Cossack Games (Kozatski zabavy) and festivals, which include the open ballooningchampionship of Ukraine, car racing and various music, art and drama activities, attract an estimated 140,000 tourists and stimulate the local economy. More than a dozen privately owned hotels have recently opened, a large number for a provincial Ukrainian city.

References

1. "Geography". kp.rel.com.ua (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-10-25.
2.  "The Museum City". Kamianets-Podilskyi. Art/Ukrainian. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
3. "Perła Podola". niedziela.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2007-10-26.
4. "History". kp.rel.com.ua (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-10-25.
5. KAMYANETS-PODILSKY, UKRAINEhttp://www.traveltoukraine.org/kamyanets.htm