Kamianets-Podilskyi

Introduction

Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnitsky region of Ukraine, is a unique city with its unique color. It is called the city of seven cultures. For many centuries, the cultures and traditions of seven peoples have been intertwined: the Ukrainians, the Armenians, the Poles, the Lithuanians, the Turks, the Russians and the Jews. This combination of different customs and beliefs created a unique, authentic atmosphere, reflected in the architecture of the Old City. A flower on a stone, - this is how Lesia Ukrayinka, the famous Ukrainian writer and public figure, called about this city. The town of Kamianets-Podilskyi was founded on the rocky peninsula that surrounds the River Smotrych. The deep (50-60 m) canyon of the river reliably protected the ancient city from three sides, and from the west, the old castle served as a powerful outpost on the way of enemies. Kamianets-Podilskyi Fortress and the Old Town are united in the Kamianets State Historical and Architectural Reserve.

Neighbourhoods

A view of the Old City

© Vic_IV

The names of the districts of Kamianets-Podilskyi are so deeply rooted in usage that the residents do not even mention their origin. However, each of the parts of the city has its own unique story. They are reflected in the names of the bus routes and in the residents’ conversations.
Here are their names:
1) Pidzamche (“Castle Settlement”);
2) Bilanivka (Bilan’s Village”)
3) Carvasary (“Caravan Serai”);
4) Vydrivka (“Vydra the Cossack’s Village”);
5) Cheremushky (“Newly-Built Districts”);
6) Preshotravneve (“May Day Settlement”);
7) Zhovtnevy massyv (“October Massif”);
8) Ruski filvarky (“Ruthenian Farm”);
9) Selyshche Smirnova (“Smirnov’s Settlement”);
10) Polski filvarky (“Polish Farms”);
11) Selishche tsukrovoho zavodu (Sugar factory settlement);
12) Zhovtneve selyshche (“October Stttlement”);
13) Novyi Plan (New Plan)

Sights and Activities

Visiting the old fortress

© Vic_IV

Kamianets-Podilskyi District is in the south of Khmelnitsky region, about 100 km away from the regional center. It includes 121 villages and one town. The district has many natural parks and state reserves. Most of the memorials and monuments of the district commemorate the Soviet era events.

The Cave Monastery is located near the former village of Bakota, on the bank of the River Dniester. This village was once flooded by the Dniester Reservoir. Now here is Gulf of Bakota. The monastery is located on the territory of Podilsky Tovtry National Park on the bank of the Dniester Reservoir in the area of 40 by 10 meters. The caves were dug from seven to eight meters into the mountains. The main structures are caves and niche located on two tiers and connected by a wooden annexe. There are 19 tombs in the floor of the caves. You can see two ancient inscriptions on the wall of the monastery. In addition, there are three sources of water, which the locals call healing water.

You can reach Khotyn Fortress in less than an hour from Kamianetz-Podolskyi. It is in the neighbouring Chernivtsi region. This powerful fortress belongs to the seven wonders of Ukraine. Many famous feature films were shot on the territory of Khotyn Fortress: Three Musketeers, The Black Arrow, and The Ballade of the Valiant Knight Ivanhoe, The Old Fortress, The Arrows of Robin Hood and others.

The flooded village of Bakota is near Kamianets-Podilskyi. It is known for its incredible beauty. Half a century ago, hundreds of families were forced to leave their homes and households - the village was flooded to build a reservoir here for a powerful hydroelectric power station. Now Bakota is a 200 km long reservoir surrounded by cliffs that protect the shores of the bay from the wind. In these places there are three sources that are popularly considered medicinal. In these places there are three sources that are popularly considered medicinal: The North Source, the Southern Source and the Most Southern Source. In addition, the remains of the St.Micheal’s Monastery were preserved on one of the rocks.

Events and Festivals

The monument to Taras Shevchenko

© Vic_IV

• > Citywide Nativity scene and Christmas Festival
• > Best Cook Podillia - restaurant technologies festival (February)
• > All-Ukrainian Comedy and Pop Humor Festival (March)
• > Official opening of the tourist season (April-May)
• > "Historic Picnic at Kamianets Castle" All-Ukrainian Festival (May)
• > Fortress Autorally Festival (May)
• > Baloon Fiesta (May)
• > City Day Festival (May)
• > Retro Fest International Festival (June)
• > Festival Fortezza Classical musical festival (June)
• > Outpost International Medieval Reconstruction Festival (August)
• > The Last Capital historic reconstruction festival (August)

Weather

During a folklore festival at the fortress

© Vic_IV

Tovtry National Natural Park covers the whole Kamianets-Podilskyi District, which belongs to the "warm Podillya" (“warm Lowlands”). Tovtry Natural Park has numerous low mountains that rise 30-50 m above the environment and reach absolute heights of 350-400 m. Tovtry promote a soft thermal regime of "warm" Podillya: mild unstable winters, relatively dry spring, rainy summer and relatively dry autumn.

In some years, winter is snowy and cold, spring is late and autumn is rainy. The maximum air temperature in summer reaches 36-38 °C. The absolute minimum of air is 31-35 °C frost. The average air temperature of the warmest month (July) is 18 °C -19 °C, and the coldest (January) is from -5 °C to -6 °C. The average annual temperature is 7-8 °C.

During the year, the wind prevails in the west and northwest directions. The transition from one season to another, as a rule, occurs gradually. The characteristic feature of the summer season is the rainy weather. This is often the case at the end of June and the first decade of July. Rainfall in summer is mostly stormy. Often, showers are accompanied by thunderstorms with hail.

Getting There

By Train

Red Bus Coffeehouse

© Vic_IV

Railway Station (Vokzal, Залізничний вокзал), Pryvokzalna str., 7 (NE), ☏ +380 3849 30732. The best way to get here from Kiev is take a train. There are 2 "Podilsky Express" trains with seats departing from Kiev at 16:43 and 23:41. It takes 6.5-7 hr to get Kamianets-Podilskyi. Also there is a night train taking 9 hr and going every second day.

By Car

There are several routes to get to Kamianets-Podilskyi from Kyiv (by order of popularity):

1. Kyiv - Zhytomyr - Chudnov - Liubar - Kamianets-Podilskyi (Highway H-03).
2. Kyiv - Zhytomyr - Berdychiv - Khmelnytskyi - Letychiv - Kamianets-Podilskyi.
3. Kyiv - Bila Tserkva - Berdychiv - Vinnytsia - Kamianets-Podilskyi.

If you plan to travel to Kamianets-Podilskyi, from Lviv, the best way would be via Ternopil – Pochayiv (the road conditions are good enough).

By Bus

By bus to Kamianets-Podilskyi

© Vic_IV

Bus Station, Koriatovychiv Kniaziv str., 19 (E), ☏ +380 3849 31251. Buses from Chernivtsi, Vinnitsa, Lviv or Kiev take 1.5, 4, 5 and 8-9 hr, respectively. The buses from Kiev cost around 100 UAH, but you can take faster marshrutkas (minibuses) for UAH 150 from Vokzal (the railway station) in Kiev. The buses from Chernivtsi are not as frequent as Lonely Planet may lead you to believe. The buses from Vinnitsa are rare.

By Boat

There are no waterways to use to arrive to the city by boat.

Getting Around

By Car

On the way to Kamianets-Podilskyi Fortress

© Vic_IV

Kamianets-Podilskyi, or KP, is divided into two parts: the Old Town and the New Town (or simply “the town). Despite the fact that most visitors travel around the Old Town, where the fortress, churches, restaurants and cafes are located, there are enough interesting places in the New Town.

Officially, there are 15 parking lots in the city, but only half of them have functioning parking meters, which makes parking a nuisance. If you arrive to Ukraine by your own car (God forbid!) and decide to travel around the country, be careful. There are a lot of thieves, who steal license plates and then attach a note to your windshield with a mobile phone number. They demand a lot of money for returning your license plate. Forewarned is forearmed. As an alternative, you can rent a car at Terminal D of Boryspil International Airport, Kyiv. Call them at: +380 44 591 69 87.

By Public Transport

City bus terminal

© Vic_IV

There are 32 “marshrutka” – itinerary taxis in the city, or simply (small) city buses. Their numbers are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 18a.
In addition the city offers several routes of communal buses: 20, 21, 22 and 23. Here are All the bus routes in detail.

By Foot

Why not explore the Old Town on foot. Here are some ideas for your walk:

• Day 1. Lower Polish Gate – Stephan Batoriy Tower – Turkish Bastion – Potters Tower – Former Barracks of the Fortress – Ruthenian Gate – Taras Bulba Hotel & Restaurant – Castle Bridge – Kamianets Fortress – New Fortress.
• Day 2. Policeman’s Coffee Restaurant – City Hall – Armenian Well – St.Peter and St.Paul’s Cathedral – Holy Trinity Monastery – Old Fortress Restaurant (the old synagogue) – History Museum (former Armenian Bishop’s house) – Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church.

By Bike

Velomane Extreme, located at 42 Gagarin Street, provides bicycle rental. The service is open daily from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. (sometimes until 3 p.m. on Sunday). The cost of renting a bicycle for one hour is 50 UAH. For four or more hours - UAH200. For renting a bike, you need to have a passport or a driver's license. Call them at: +39 097 94 24 906.

Eat

London Steak House

© Vic_IV

• Frant (“dandy" in English) Restaurant, 20 Zarvanska Street.
• Sazhotrus Inn (“chimney sweep”), 20 Zarvanska Street.
• Khinkali Restaurant, 9 Koriatovich Princes Street (Georgian cuisine).
• London Steak House, 11 Koriatovich Princes Street.
• Khotey Restaurant at 4 Soborna Street
• Madame Bouche Coffeehouse, 35a Lesia Ukrainka Street
• Troye v kanoe sandwich bar (“three men in a canoe”), 10 Dragomanov Street.
• La Majeure Restaurant, 14 Dragomanov Street.
• Hetman Restaurant, 8 Polish Market Square.
• Policeman’s Coffee Coffehouse, 8 Starobulvarna Street.

Drink

On the way to the Fortress

© Vic_IV

• Underground Lounge Bar, 2 Starobulvarna Street;
• Salvador Dali Lobby Bar;
• Atlas Cocktail Bar, 29 Lesia Ukrainka Street.

There are several stores where they sell draft wine such as “Wines of Ukraine” located at 26a Lesia Ukrainka Street, tel. +38 (096) 709-47-80. It is the place, the place which you enter and at once feel the smell of wine that relaxes you and makes you stay. You can buy some wine for your home or make your own wine probe at that place. They have several café tables for customers.

Sleep

There is a big choice of hotels, inns, guesthouses, hostels and private apartments for visitors.

• Ksenia Hotel
• Reikartz Hotel
• Hetman Hotel
• Art House Hostel
• City Hall Guesthouse
• Cleopatra Hotel
• Grand Canyon Hotel
• Constance Hotel
• Caprice mini-hotel
• Villa Celebrity

Work

Every person who wants to occupy a good position and earn money on the territory of Ukraine should follow the law on registration. This means that you need to collect a certain package of documents to the migration service, and officially register there. After completing all the requirements, these citizens of other countries can obtain a work permit. Here is a list of documents for obtaining a work permit in Ukraine, FYI:

• Statement by the employer that he or she needs to hire a foreigner for a specific position.
• A certificate that this work has nothing to do with state secrets.
• Document confirming the level of education of the foreigner with translation into Ukrainian.
• A copy of this person's passport, certified in due order.
• Certificate that this foreigner has no criminal record.
• A mental health record.
• Employer receipt for payment of duties.

In order to become a full-time employee in Ukraine, it is important to follow clear procedures established by government bodies, such as:

• contact the employment services no later than fifteen days after the vacancy report has been submitted;
• the employment service may decide to issue a work permit fifteen days after the registration of the documents;
• as soon as a positive decision has been made, the employer must transfer four minimum wages to the employment service;
• when the necessary sum for the issuance of the decision has been calculated, the territorial authority shall issue the document to the employer within ten days.

Learn

Swans' Lake

© Vic_IV

Higher educational establishments:

• Kamianets-Podilskyi National University;
• Podillia State Agrarian and Technical University.

Technical/professional education:

• Medical school;
• Industrial College;
• Professional Construction Lyceum;
• College of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Design;
• College of Culture and Arts.

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet develops quickly in Ukraine, and therefore, today it is no problem to get access to the world wide web - both wired and wireless. There are more access points in big cities, nevertheless there are also some in small settlements. The majority of Ukrainian hostels and hotels of different level have Wi-Fi points, which allow visitors to use high-speed Internet. Most Ukrainian restaurants and many cafes are equipped with internet access points, there are also Wi-Fi zones in terminals of the international airports. You may also access Internet from your cell phone, if your device supports GPRS or one of the 3G standards. All cellular carriers in Ukraine offer access to the mobile internet. Moreover, it's usually no problem to find Internet-cafe in Ukrainian cities. "Ukrtelecom" company offers Internet access as well. Its offices are easy to find in any town of Ukraine. The cost of one hour of Internet access usually doesn't exceed €1-2.

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

The international phone code for Ukraine is 380. The general emergency phone number is 112 and there are special ones for fire -(101), police (102), ambulance (103) and even gas leaks (104).

Although cell phones are becoming more and more popular, a lot of people still use phonecards and this might be a good and cheaper option for travellers as well. If you are here for any length of time it is worth investing in a local sim-card for your mobile. No major international mobile operators exist in Ukraine (yet) so if you have Vodaphone or T-mobile (etc) your phone may not work here. Kyivstar and MTS are the biggest Ukrainian operators.

Post

Ukrposhta is the national postal service of Ukraine. Unfortunately, the postal service in Ukraine is unreliable or at least inefficient and slow. Packages may get stolen or searched for things that can be sold.

Post offices exist in all cities and towns and postcards can be sent quite safely, but the service may be slow. Like many other businesses, post offices are open from around 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a lunchbreak between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., although opening times may vary. Smaller ones in rural towns keep shorter hours, while the largest ones in Kiev are usually open very late, during weekends or even 24 hours!
If you want to send a letter or postcard and buy stamps, just queue up at the line where you see envelops and cards. Be prepared to wait a while, also regarding the time it takes to send a postcard to Europe (a week) or the USA (two weeks), let alone places further afield.
Always send letters by airmail (avia in Ukrainian). For faster (but more expensive) sendings of parcels, try companies like TNT, DHL, UPS or FedEx.

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