Ukraine > Khmelnytsky Region > Kamianets-Podilskyi

Kamianets-Podilskyi

Our rating: 8.40

2007-04-14, 2012-08-05, 2014-11-08

http://kam-pod.gov.ua

2007

Kamianets-Podilskyi is one of Ukraine's main attractions. In 2007 it was among the winners of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine contest.

We arrived at Kamianets by train from Kyiv and stopped on the outskirts of the city at the Filvarki Center hotel (booking.com). We enjoyed our stay there. Accommodation fees were very affordable in 2007: about $30 for bed & breakfast. Near the hotel there's a beautiful canyon and the famous "Strimka Lan" ("Fast Deer") bridge. In 2006 there was a tragedy here: the journalist died during bungee jumping. It was the first tragedy of such kind in Ukraine.

"Strimka Lan" ("Fast Deer") bridge over the Smotrych river ©Yuriy Buriak

The old city is a truly unique place: it's located on tall cliffs over the canyon formed by the Smotrych river.

©Yuriy Buriak

But let's move forward: behind the old city opens a fantastic view of the castle. In August 2011 the biggest castle tower was destroyed by a lightning.

Castle from the observation deck ©Yuriy Buriak

Brigde to the castle ©Yuriy Buriak

In the castle courtyard you can find several museums and entertainment facilities. Behind the old castle there are some ruins called the new castle.

New castle ©Yuriy Buriak

We went down into the canyon and climbed its other side. A beautiful and unusual view opens from this point.

View from the other side of the canyon ©Yuriy Buriak

2014

Over the past 7 years Kamianets-Podilskyi has changed dramatically. At the moment this is the most interesting small town in Ukraine. Old city acquired some new charm and began to look much more well-groomed and fabulous.

Old Town of Kamianets-Podilskyi ©Yuriy Buriak

Interesting fact, the car was selected to have the same color as the house.

The same color ©Yuriy Buriak

The city has got a lot of graffiti.

Graffiti in Kamianets-Podilskyi ©Yuriy Buriak

There are many new hotels, we stayed in 4 star hotel Reikartz (booking.com), it has the best location in the old town. Interestingly, in 2007, when we were first time in Kamenets, Reikartz hotel chains did not exist and today it is the largest hotel chain in Ukraine.

Hotel Reikartz in Kamianets-Podilskyi ©Yuriy Buriak

Some windows offer a great view of the central square in the old town.

Dominican church in Kamianets-Podilskyi ©Yuriy Buriak

Town Hall was restored and received new lights. It is the oldest Town Hall in Ukraine (XV century).

Town Hall in Kamianets-Podilskyi ©Yuriy Buriak

There is a monument to tourist photographer near the town hall

Monument to the tourist-photographer ©Yuriy Buriak

And gift town

Gift town in Kamianets-Podilskyi ©Yuriy Buriak

Night illumination of the castle was changed and now it is the best illumination of the castle in Ukraine.

Night lights of the castle in Kamianets-Podilskyi ©Yuriy Buriak

Appeared some interesting extreme tours through the canyon of the river Smotrych.

Extreme Tour in Kamianets-Podilskyi ©Yuriy Buriak

You can fly over the the canyon on a ziprider, it is located near the bridge.

Bridge over Smotrych River Canyon ©Yuriy Buriak

There are lots of cats in the old town and they even agree to pose :)

Cat in the old town of Kamianets-Podilskyi ©Yuriy Buriak

Trash cans are now decorated with various figures.

Trash can in Kamianets-Podilskyi ©Yuriy Buriak

Lenin Park has changed, but for some reason has not yet changed the name.

Lenin Park in Kamianets-Podilskyi ©Yuriy Buriak

In the "new city" we had dinner in an English pub in the center, near which stands a two-storey London bus and a red telephone box in which you can freely take any book.