| GPS | (48.52147; 26.49876) |
| district | Chernivtsi |
| region | Khotyn |
| locality | Khotyn |
| address | |
| category | |
| year | |
| ethnic |
Khotyn Fortress is a witness of many wars and battles. For centuries it was a center of development of crafts and trade, culture and economy. This medieval beauty can tell a lot to those who wish to listen to it... not accidentally a rocky promontory above the Dniester our ancestors called “Khotin”. The name of the city comes from the verb “to want” (khotity) because the promontory was desirable and reliable place for ancient settlers. With its strong castles and favorable location Khotyn has become a center of crafts and trade, which, in turn, contributed to the blossoming of its culture and economy. The city was an important point in the European-Asian trade. Located on the main routes, Khotyn has always attracted the attention of the conquerors. In order to be protected from them the fortress was built, which survived centuries and seen under its walls the hordes of Ottoman soldiers, rebels of Mukha, folk avengers of Dytynka, soldiers of Dmitro Vyshnevetsky (Baida), Petro Doroshenko. During the Liberation War of Ukrainian people against Polish gentry, forces of Bohdan Khmelnytsky twice entered Khotyn. The fortress is also famous by the events of Khotyn War that took place outside the fortress in September - early October 1621. This war has glorified Zaporizhzhya Cossacks and their Hetman Petro Konasheviyh-Sahaidachny and became a turning point in the history of the Ottoman Empire. Khotyn victory saved Europe from invasion of Janissaries, made a strong impression on all nations and acquired echo in world literature. During the XVII century Khotyn passed from hand to hand, it was ruled by Polish kings, and Turkish feudals, not once the city was liberated by Zaporizhzhya Cossacks. During the Liberation War in Khotyn there were troops of Bohdan Khmelnytsky (1650-1653). Only at the beginning of the XVIII century the Turks finally managed to gain a foothold in Khotyn and in the fortress. After reconstruction in 1712-1718 (with French engineers) it has become the most powerful hub of Ottoman defense in eastern Europe. And although in the XVIII-XIX centuries the fortress gradually loses its defensive significance, under its walls the battles continued seethe. In 1826 Khotyn was granted a coat of arms: on a gold field a silver fortress with three towers; at two utmost ones the bunchuks are placed, and at the central one – a crescent on a pole; a cross over it; across - two sabres with their blades down, above them – a silver cross as a sign of taking the Turkish fortress. In the fortress the filming of many feature films was held, including “Viper”, “Zakhar Berkut”, “Ballad of the Valiant Knight Ivanhoe”, “The Three Musketeers”, “Arrows of Robin Hood”. Among recent ones – screen version of the work of famous Ukrainian writer Yuri Mushketyk “Yasa” and shooting of the film “Zaporizhzhya Sich” by the novel of Mykola Gogol “Taras Bulba”.
