Kamеnets-Podolsky - one of the oldest cities in Ukraine, in the central part of the Volynian-Podillian Upland on the Smotrych River, the left tributary of the Dnister river, 102 km from Khmelnytskyi. The fortress, 11th - 16th century, is one of the many historic defensive structures within the city. This is a monument of military architecture of the feudal era. The first fortification were built in the 11th - 12th centuries. In the early 16th century the fortress was re-designed by the Italian military engineer Camilius, and seven towers were built. In the 17th century bastion structures were built (New Fortress). The Old Fortress occupies almost 5 ha. Part of an underground passage has been uncovered. The massive fortifications of the fortress and the city impressed not only travellers and merchants who came to visit the city. According to local legend, the Turkish Khan Osman allegedly asked "who built this mighty city?" An underling is said to have replied "God Himself". Upon being unable to take the city by storm, the Khan was to have said upon leaving "Then let God Himself take the city".

In recent times Kamyanets-Podilsky was the capital of Podilla (in the beginning it was the centre of princedoms, since the thirties of 15th century the town became the center of voevode and since the end of 18th century - of province).

Kamyanets was known to all Europe as "stronghold of Christianity", "tower constructed by God's hand". In Middle Ages it was really a city-fortress with 2 equal powerful groups of fortifications: city fortifications and the castle (Old Fortress).

From the point of view of defense the city had a unique allocation because it was in a loop of the river Smotrich with only access on a narrow rocky crest. The canyon is about 30 meters high and 150-200 meters wide. The historical and archaeological findings attest that people have lived in these lands from prehistoric times. On the territory of the modern Old City of the fortress and in Tatarysky tract there have been found the remains of human settlements from Trypillya cultural period of the Bronze Age and that of Early Iron Age. In the first centuries of Christian era the territory of the future city of Kamianets' and its surroundings was populated by the tribes of Chernyakiv cultural period, the main occupation of which was agriculture. The Roman coins of the 2nd and 3rd centuries A. D. attest that there existed trade and commercial ties of the local population and the residents of Northern Black Seashore and also of Roman provinces. In the end of the first millennium A.D. the territory of the present-day Kamianets', the same as all Mild-Dnister Valley, has been populated by Eastern Slavic tribes of Oulychi and Tyvertsi that constituted Kyiv Rus. The remains of Slavic settlements that have been discovered on the territory of the fortress and of the Old City give reasons to assert that in the 12th- 13th centuries there has been formed the city of Kamianets' that developed to a great extent within Gallic-Volyn Duchy, especially in commercial sphere since it was located along the trading path from Kyiv to Balkans. The city also was a stronghold on south-western frontier of Rus. In the Early history of the city (12th century), when firearms were not widespread, natural protection was supplemented with small wooden defense structures on rocky cape to the west of the city. In 13-14th century small stone towers (fragments of the base are kept only) appeared in the old castle. The annals attribute the construction of a stone fortress to Lithuanian princes Koriatovych that ruled Podilla princedom in the sixties – nineties of 14 century.

In 1362 Kamianets' was included into Great Duchy of Lithuania and ever since is formed as a political and administrative center of Podillia. In 1420 the city was occupied by the Polish military forces and in 1434 with the victory of Poland the war between Polish and Lithuanian feudal warlords for Podillia lands finished. Since then Kamianets' received status of the King's city and was transformed into perfect and invincible fortress against the enemies. Magdebourg Law and favorable location at the crossroad of trade paths benefited to the development of crafts and commerce. The population of the city has been united into three national communities: Russian, Polish and Armenian that created three centers, Polish, Russian and Armenian markets correspondingly.

The first known description of Kamyanets castle was written in 1494. Then the castle had a gate with a tower from the side of city and other (Rocky) gate from northern side. There were 11 guns, including one big - “tarasnitsa" - in the castle.

The New Castle was built on the Dutch samples in 1621. It should strengthen the defense of the fortress from the most dangerous western side. It is a big earthen "gornverk". It was reconstructed several times (last time at the end of 18 century). To our time the potern system (courses) and casemates remain, and the bigger part of stone walls - scarp and counter-scarp. The main struggle in time of the city siege by Turks in 1672 proceeded around of the New Castle. About 1000 soldiers fought here. The struggle was very hard.

On the 26th of September was a strong explosion and the Tower Chorna (Black) was destroyed. Many people were died and among them was "Gector Kamyanetsky" Jezy Volodyjvsky. The tragic death of the man who considered to be the soul of defense.

During many centuries of its history the city was in the center of national and liberational movement that reached its climax during the war of the Ukrainian people under leadership of Bogdan Khmelnyts'kyi. In the 17th century the territory was threatened with Turkish invasion. In August 1672 the city came under 27 years of Turkish occupation. According to Carlsbad Peace Treaty of 1699 Turkey has been forced to return to Poland bigger part of Podillia with Kamianets'. In 1793 the Right Bank of Ukraine has been annexed to the Russian Empire and in 1795 Kamianets' has become the center of Podillia Province. Within the course of time the, power in the city has changed. It degraded and flourished again and it affected its architecture. In 1846 the city was visited by famous Ukrainian Poet Taras Shevchenko. In 1850's renowned representatives of Ukrainian literature, Stepan Rudanskyi and Anatolii Svydnits'kyi studied at the theological seminary. During the years of struggle for establishment of Ukrainian State in June of 1919 Kamianets' has become a temporary capital of Ukrainian People's Republic. In the city Ukrainian National University was founded, the first rector of which was Ivan Ogiyenko.

In 1928 by the Order of the Soviet of People Commissars of Ukrainian SSR the Old Castle has become the state historical and cultural reserve. The tourism is one of the main trends of the city development. Everyone will be amused of the city location and also its historical-architectural monuments and places of interest.