Pidzamochok Castle

Pidzamochok Castle is a bastion-type fortification, an architectural monument of national importance, located on the steep left bank of the Strypa River on the western outskirts of the village of Pidzamochok. The castle was built in 1600 by Jan Buczacki-Tworowski of the Pilawa coat of arms as an auxiliary outpost for Buchach Castle. It is an example of the transitional stage to the construction of regular proto-bastion-type fortifications in Podillia, reflecting the latest European trends of the 15th century. The fortress has an irregular plan, close to a trapezoid (90x80 m), narrowing towards the northern side. The castle walls are relatively low (4–6 m) with a thickness of over one meter. On the southern side, the entrance gate is perfectly preserved, above which there is a coat of arms composition and a plaque with a Latin inscription. On the northern side, there was a two-story residential palace, bounded by two pentagonal towers. In the basement premises near the entrance, there were warehouses or a place for imprisonment. In 1676, the castle was destroyed by the Turkish-Tatar army led by Ibrahim Shaitan, after which it ceased to be used as a defensive structure. Until the mid-18th century, it was partially used for housing, and in 1807–1869, a water-powered paper mill functioned here. Currently, the ruins of the castle are part of the National Reserve "Castles of Ternopillia".