Khotin
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.
