MEDZHYBIZH (Меджибіж)

Today tire valve at our rear tire flew out, so we spent one hour changing the tire and then another two hours changing all air valves as prevention of future troubles at a local shop (1800 UAH). In the late afternoon, we parked just next to Medzhybizh Castle (entrance 50 UAH). It was built as a bulwark against Ottoman expansion in the 1540s, became one of the strongest fortresses of the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland in Podolia. It is situated at the confluence of the Southern Bug and Buzhenka rivers. The first wooden fort was built around 1146 by the rulers of Bolokhov. The fort probably survived the Mongol invasion but was dismantled by Daniel of Galicia in 1254 at the bidding of the Golden Horde. The new fort was built by Koriat’s heirs after the Grand Duke of Lithuania had defeated the Golden Horde at the Battle of Blue Waters in 1362. Podolia passed to the Polish Crown in 1432. The castle was confiscated from the House of Koriat and became the property of the Polish kings. About 1540 the castle was completely rebuilt by its new owner, Mikołaj Sieniawski. The last rebuilding effort was undertaken by the Russian imperial authorities in the 19th century. Within the walls are a small-scale museum and a church from 1586.

Parking location – Medzhybizh: 49.436601N 27.410998E