Chortkiv

Chortkiv is a city in Ternopil Oblast that extends along both banks of the Seret River and features medieval stone fortifications with several religious structures built over different centuries. The city displays a mix of older defense structures and religious architecture that developed over extended periods.

The settlement began as a village called Chortkovytsi in 1427 and was developed into an established town in 1522 under Magdeburg law by Jerzy Czortkowski. This transformation from village to town marked a significant turning point in the place's growth.

The regional museum displays collections that document the mixed Ukrainian, Polish, and Jewish communities that shaped the city's history. These exhibits offer insight into the different cultures that coexisted here for centuries.

The city serves as a transportation hub with railway connections and is relatively easy for visitors to navigate. There are various accommodation options available, and the old town is walkable with the Seret River serving as a natural orientation point.

The fortress was built between the 16th and 17th centuries and incorporates defense towers with thick stone walls overlooking the Seret River valley. This combination of military architecture and natural location makes the fortress a striking feature of the landscape.