OblastKhmelnytskyi Region

Khmelnytskyi Region was originally created on September 22, 1937 as the Kamianets-Podilskyi Oblast  out of border okrugs [administrative divisions] of the Prokuriv and Kamianets-Podilskyi regions of the Vinnytsia Oblast. In 1941–44 it was under Nazi Germany occupation and part of the Reichskommissariat Ukraine until the spring of 1944 when the Soviets took control.

Until 4 February 1954 it was called Kamianets-Podilsky Oblast centered in Kamianets-Podilsky after which it was re-branded as Khmelnytskyi Oblast after Cossack Hetman Zynoviy Bohdan Khmelnytsky.

Khmelnytskyi Oblast is associated with a historical region of Podolia, yet in reality its territory is split almost in half, the northern in Volhynia, and the southern in Podolia. Its Volhynian region contains smaller cities like Izyaslav, Starokostiantyniv, Shepetivka, while its Podolian portion more developed cities of Khmelnytskyi and Kamianets-Podilskyi.

In addition to its natural wonders, Podolia is historically significant, as it is believed that human habitation of the area goes back to the beginning of the Neolithic period (9500BC). Remnants of what has come to be known as Trajan’s Wall have been found in the area.

Khmelnytskyi Oblast is rich in medieval monuments of defense and church architecture – castles, fortified churches, and palaces including:

• Medzhybizh Fortress
• Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle – one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine
• Church of the Exaltation of the Cross
• Terebovlya Castle
• Zbarazh Castle
• Podilski Tovtry National Park
• Sataniv Resort
• Bakota St. Michael’s Cave Monastery
• Samchyky Estate – known as the “Ukrainian Versailles”