__Oleksandr Mazurchak

__Mayor

__One of the most beautiful cities of Ukraine, Kamianets-Podilskyi, is called the pearl of Podil and stone flower. What is the origin of its name? Stone rocks and stone landscape are the reasons for the first part of the name - Kamianets, that is a brief unofficial name of the city. City situated in Podil (in the valley opposite Prykarpattya heights) is a ground for the second part - Podilskyi.

__Kamianets-Podilskyi is an ancient city. Tribes of Trypillya and Cherniakhiv cultures once lived on the territory where the city is presently located.

__Notes about the city could be found in Ptolomeus chronicles where Kamianets had a name of Petrydava - "stone-city". Found Roman coins of the 2-3 centuries A.D. and likeness of Zamkovyi bridge with the bridge depicted on Trayan Column in Rome gave birth to the hypothesis that the city was founded by the Romans who solved territorial conflicts with Dacia citizens at the time. However, majority of modern historians believe that Kamianets-Podilskyi as early feudal city was formed in the 11-12 centuries.

__This belief is based on archaeological studies. What is the reason for uniqueness of Kamianets-Podilskyi that attracts over one hundred thousands of tourists a year? This is a historical part - Old City - that is located on a stone peninsular formed by Smotrych River. It washes Old City in Greek Omega form and disperses near Zamkovyi bridge and Old fortress that is a symbol and visiting card of Kamianets-Podilskyi.

__It rises above the canyon with its towers and spires like continuation of a stone rock. It is the highest unsupported bridge in Europe where popular in Ukraine attraction "Free fall" (jumps from 54 metres of height with rubber rope) was situated.

__The largest in Europe National Natural Park "Podil Tovtry" also enchants guests. Kamianets occupies the third place in Ukraine on the number of architectural and cultural notes (after Kyiv and Lviv). Many tourist organizations predict Smotrytskyi canyon in Kamianets the fate of the fourth Ukrainian brand after Kyiv, Crimea and Carpathians. It is possible to visit 170 architectural notes and four museums gathered in one place, and endlessly admire the unique Roman-Catholic Cathedral Church with the built-on Turkish minaret with the gilded four-metre statue of Madonna on the top. Bakotska bay of Dnister, the cleanest river in Europe, is located not far from the city and strikes with its beauty.

__There is rocky Svyato-Mykhaylivskyi monastery of the 12 century. The cave "Atlantis" within 70 kilometres from the city attracts people who like extreme tourism, because this cave provides 2525 metres of pure joy. Kamianets-Podilskyi is a favourite place of cinematographers.

__Such movies as "Old fortress", "The ballad of valiant knight Ayvengo", "Three musketeers", "Aza, the gypsy", "Commissar", "Father", "Bridges of heart", "Nine lives of Nestor Makhno", "Taras Bulba" and other films were shot here. Interesting annual fests "Cossack entertainments", military-historical festivals, amusing competitions in aeronautics and rally, convenient location

__(100 kilometres from Khmelnytskyi and Chernivtsi), quality servicing of tourist organizations, food enterprises and hotels, active kinds of rest possible due to ideal landscape, made Kamianets-Podilskyi especially attractive for Ukrainian and foreign tourists.

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__1 Vidrodzhennya Square

__32300 Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytsky region, Ukraine

__tel.: +38 (03849) 5-16-50

__fax: +38 (03849) 5-06-00

__e-mail: vikonkom@kp.rel.com.ua

__www.kp.rel.com.ua/city