Kremenets Castle
Encyclopedia
Kremenetz Castle is City of Kremenetz, Ternopil Oblast’ fortified defense stronghold. It was built on a steep hill of Bona out of a limestone. The keep was situated on its west side, and its width was of 65 metres (213.3 ft) and length of 135 metres (442.9 ft). All the elevation was surrounded by a tall stone wall, and in the earlier ages of 13th century wood as building material was used instead.
The castle is known as a impregnable citadel that had been tried by many as
Krementz Castle came into existence long before Princess Bona, wife of Polish King Sigismund the First. It is theorized that stronghold was erected at 8 – 9 century. First written citations of Krementz were found in polish literature of 1064. The castle received great fame after unsuccessful horde attack of Batu Khan in the winter time of 1240 – 41. In the history, fortress became known by the name of Polish Princess of Italian descent Bona Sforza. People of the countryside narrated many peculiar and imaginary stories on her behalf. Supposedly she sought eternal youth. In the course of absence any medical treatment that would provide it for her, Sforza would have to use a blood of innocent virgins. They were thrown off a store height in the castle tower on sharp stakes of lettuce work bearing, while a store down she was standing taking a gory shower. There is another legend telling us a story of a rope bridge crossing built out of female braids of hair that Princess used to take to get into the castle. To many well known narration about a tradition that Bona observed hiding out in a water well of underground palace and every Easter used to come out holding in her chin a golden key to a secret treasure chest filled with gold. Even though historian assert that Sforza owning the castle for twenty years had not visited it even once, motley canvas knit out of ancient legend perplex imagination.
Legends remain to be legends, but the castle existence in many aspects has to be credited to Sigismund’s the First spouse. The King gifted it to her all together including town outskirts in 1536. The new hostess secured tall castle walls, three towers, barracks, utility structures and magazines. A deep well, later on becoming a source of a imaginary story, was dug out as main water supply for the troopers in case of prolonged siege. Managing the country with a help of her monitors, Bona introduced a system of oppressive imposition that consisted of monetary as well as natural goods taxation. This turned out to be viewed as a persecution towards native population. Departing to Italy due to her husband’s death, she shipped away 70 horse drawn wagons of valuables.
Relieved from its ruthless owner, the castle remained to be on guard. For a long time no one could have overcome this stronghold. Only in September 1648 colonel Maksym Kryvonis managed to siege it. For a month and a half lasted furious battle between Cossacks and Szlachta. At last the fort post fell. Since then it has not been rebuilt. And, next to the hill platform P’yatnitsky graveyard appeared retaining tombs of warrior burials.
Nowadays the Castle Hill is a tourist destination of Kremenetz State Historic Architectural Preservation. Thousands of people come to visit it in order to get a glimpse of fortress bulwark and bird eye view of the town and its vicinities. Gothic arch of the gate house brings you into the castle yard. Not that long ago a TV relay antennas were located here. But remains of the wall with its jugged outlines stand deserted now giving a clue if its dramatic past time.
The castle is known as a impregnable citadel that had been tried by many as
- 1226 Hungarian King Andrew the Second,
- 1240 – 1241 Batu Khan (Kremenetz Castle was one of few that survived inroads of Mongol Hordes on the land of Kyiv Ruthenia),
- 1255 Kuremsa,
- 1261 fortress was demolished to an order of Vasyl’ko the Landlord in demand of Boroldai, Mongol general. Anew the castle was rebuilt by landlords Liubartas, Vytautas, Svitrigaila.
- 1569 the castle became a property of Queen Bona Sforza with forthcoming renovation conforming to Renaissance architectural style and upgrade.
- 1648 marshal bastion had been captured by Cossacks squadrons in an aftermath of 6 week long siege. Maxim Krivonos lead the attack.
Krementz Castle came into existence long before Princess Bona, wife of Polish King Sigismund the First. It is theorized that stronghold was erected at 8 – 9 century. First written citations of Krementz were found in polish literature of 1064. The castle received great fame after unsuccessful horde attack of Batu Khan in the winter time of 1240 – 41. In the history, fortress became known by the name of Polish Princess of Italian descent Bona Sforza. People of the countryside narrated many peculiar and imaginary stories on her behalf. Supposedly she sought eternal youth. In the course of absence any medical treatment that would provide it for her, Sforza would have to use a blood of innocent virgins. They were thrown off a store height in the castle tower on sharp stakes of lettuce work bearing, while a store down she was standing taking a gory shower. There is another legend telling us a story of a rope bridge crossing built out of female braids of hair that Princess used to take to get into the castle. To many well known narration about a tradition that Bona observed hiding out in a water well of underground palace and every Easter used to come out holding in her chin a golden key to a secret treasure chest filled with gold. Even though historian assert that Sforza owning the castle for twenty years had not visited it even once, motley canvas knit out of ancient legend perplex imagination.
Legends remain to be legends, but the castle existence in many aspects has to be credited to Sigismund’s the First spouse. The King gifted it to her all together including town outskirts in 1536. The new hostess secured tall castle walls, three towers, barracks, utility structures and magazines. A deep well, later on becoming a source of a imaginary story, was dug out as main water supply for the troopers in case of prolonged siege. Managing the country with a help of her monitors, Bona introduced a system of oppressive imposition that consisted of monetary as well as natural goods taxation. This turned out to be viewed as a persecution towards native population. Departing to Italy due to her husband’s death, she shipped away 70 horse drawn wagons of valuables.
Relieved from its ruthless owner, the castle remained to be on guard. For a long time no one could have overcome this stronghold. Only in September 1648 colonel Maksym Kryvonis managed to siege it. For a month and a half lasted furious battle between Cossacks and Szlachta. At last the fort post fell. Since then it has not been rebuilt. And, next to the hill platform P’yatnitsky graveyard appeared retaining tombs of warrior burials.
Nowadays the Castle Hill is a tourist destination of Kremenetz State Historic Architectural Preservation. Thousands of people come to visit it in order to get a glimpse of fortress bulwark and bird eye view of the town and its vicinities. Gothic arch of the gate house brings you into the castle yard. Not that long ago a TV relay antennas were located here. But remains of the wall with its jugged outlines stand deserted now giving a clue if its dramatic past time.