Berecz Mátyás - Bujdosné Pap Györgyi - Petercsák Tivadar (szerk.): Végvár és mentalitás a kora újkori Európában - Studia Agriensia 31. (Eger, 2015)

CIESIELSKI, TOMASZ: Fortresses on the south-eastern borders of Poland in the 18th century

thousands of zlotys were donated in the late 18th century by private donors25. The financial expenses incurred for the maintenance of the fortresses were far smaller than the needs, which eventually led to the demilitarisation of Biala Cerkiew and Okopy Swiçtej Trójcy in 1768. Only one stronghold remained in the south-eastern provinces, namely Kamieniec Podolski. Perceived as a powerful stronghold, protecting not only Poland, but the entire Christian civilisation, in fact it had mediocre defensive value, far from the requirements of the siege techniques of 18th century Europe. Not only professional army people, but also civilians were sceptical about the defensive powers of Kamieniec, with its badly-designed and obsolete defence system, and defence techniques unable to face contemporary challenges. It was also easy to see the disadvantages of the town’s location, so admired nowadays. The most powerful elements of the stronghold, namely the castles, were overlooked by the town located on the promontory of the river Smotrycz on one side, and on the other - by hills from which it was possible to keep effective fire over the town with the use of modern siege artillery. The castle fortifications were in danger of prompt destruction, and the fortress crew were under the threat of being easily killed. Commenting on those deficiencies in 1778, the commander of the Polish artillery Frederic Brühl called Kamieniec Podolski “one of the lousiest little fortresses in Europe”26.

As far as its defence potential was concerned, the nearest Ottoman stronghold, Khotyn, situated only 25 km away, was by far superior to that of Kamieniec Podolski. The 15th-century castle of Khotyn was Kamieniec’s military counterbalance. And though the latter was considered a stronger fortress for many years, in the first two decades of the 18th century Khotyn was modernised and surrounded by powerful, relatively modem fortifications. The stronghold of Khotyn also had a well developed technical infrastructure, extremely powerful artillery and a garrison with up to 5000 soldiers in time of war. Despite all that, it was unable to fulfil the task of protecting Moldavia and in the 18th century Khotyn was seized three times by the Russians, supported by Austrians in 1788. In the 18th century Kamieniec Podolski was spared war activities, since in 1734 the Russians decided not to

25 Dr Antoni, J. (Rolle): Zameczki podolskie. p. 17.; Ciesielski, T: Armia koronna. p. 535.

26 Kantecki, K.: General artyleryi koronnej. In: idem: Szkice i opowiadania. Poznan, 1883. p. 44.

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