Khotin
Khotyn is a small town on the right bank of the Dniester in the Chernivtsi region, but all the glory here belongs to the Khotyn fortress, a stone giant of the 13th-15th centuries. The town itself has been known since the time of Kievan Rus, from the 10th-11th centuries, but the fortress has survived so many sieges that it has lost count.
In 1621, under these walls, the army of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, together with the Cossacks, repelled the onslaught of the 50,000-strong Turkish army - the Battle of Khotyn entered all textbooks. During its career, the fortress managed to visit Moldavian, Genoese and Ottoman, and now it has become a movie favorite: more than 50 films have been shot here, because there is no need to invent scenery before the Middle Ages.
In addition to the fortress with the princely palace and chapel, the city has the Church of the Conception of St. Anna and a theater. And if you're lucky with the dates, you can get to the "Medieval Khotyn" festival with all the proper clanking of swords.
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is Khotyn and what makes it interesting?
This is a small town on the Dniester in the Chernivtsi region, but all the glory here belongs to the Khotyn fortress - a stone giant of the XIII-XV centuries, which survived so many sieges that it lost its count. The town itself has been known since the times of Kyivan Rus, from the X-XI centuries.
What to see in Khotyn, besides the fortress?
The main star is, of course, the fortress with the princely palace and chapel. The Church of the Conception of St. Anna and the City Theater are nearby. And if you are lucky with the dates, you can get to the "Medieval Khotyn" festival, which has been held since 2012 with all the proper clanging of swords.
What made the Khotyn fortress famous in history?
In 1621, the army of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth together with the Cossacks repelled the onslaught of the 50,000-strong Turkish army here - the Battle of Khotyn entered all textbooks. And in 1673, Jan Sobieski's troops again defeated the Turks here. During its career, the fortress managed to visit Moldavian, Genoese and Ottoman.
Why does cinema love the fortress so much?
More than 50 films were shot on the territory of the Khotyn Fortress. The walls look so convincingly medieval that the directors didn't bother with the scenery - they just brought the actors here.
How to get to Khotyn?
Khotyn is located in the Dniester district of the Chernivtsi region, on the right bank of the Dniester. Focus on Chernivtsi as the nearest major hub, and from there you can easily reach the fortress over the river.