Turkish Bastion

There are many interesting structures in the Old Town of Kamianets-Podilskyi. One of them — a defensive structure — is the Turkish Bastion, built by the Turks in 1672. It is believed to be only part of a defensive complex, whose main element was the Polish Gate. The bastion was built to control access to the city.

Photo from the website uk.wikipedia.org

The bastion is almost as tall as a three-story building. It is 11 m high. Its facade is pierced by four arched openings. Formerly, there were parapets, casemates and gun embrasures behind them. With the arrival of the Poles in the city, the bastion lost its defensive function. In the 19th century, Jan Pekarskyi’s theater was located here.

Interesting facts:

• The Turkish Bastion also has a second name — Dalkhe Fort. It received it after 1753, when it was reconstructed to a design by the German engineer Khrystyiian Dalkhe.
• The Battle for Kamianets-Podilskyi was decided from the very beginning. Since only 5000 defenders opposed the 180-thousand-strong Turkish army.
• A favorable location and solid construction saved the bastion from destruction. Since the Poles, after entering the city after the Turks, decided that the bastion would still be useful to them for defense against enemies.