A majestic historical landmark of the old district of Kamyanets-Podilskyi is its fortification system, which includes the seven-tiered Stephan Bathory Tower (Skornyazhnaya, Kushnirskaya, Korolevskaya and other names). The defensive structures were located on the high bank of the Smotrych River in the northern part of the city. The main five-tiered tower of these structures was built under the direction of the head of Kamenets fortification Matvei Galichanin on the site of the ancient city gates of the XIII century in 1564-1585-ies at the expense of the Polish king Stefan Bathory and named in his honor. Some time later a gatehouse with a passage was added to it from the western side under the direction of Nicholas Brzeski and the royal court architect Camerino Rudolfino, and the tower received an additional name — the Royal Tower. The next name — Skornyazhnaya (Kushnirskaya) — was given to this defensive structure in the 12th century after it was repaired with the money of a craft shop of furriers.
.
During the tour of the fortifications the guide will tell you a legend about the visit of Russian Tsar Peter the Great to the Kamyanets-Podolsky fortifications in August 1711. Allegedly then, in the stone arched vault of the gate strong wind tore off the imperial head hat and therefore the tower or gate (brama) the tsar called «Windy». By the way, through this gate in October 1846 entered the city young T.H.Shevchenko, who was engaged in the study of ancient acts and letters in the archives of Kamyanets-Podilskyi on the assignment of the Kyiv Archaeological Commission. Another name of the tower — Seven-storey tower — appeared after its reconstruction in 1780s by the commandant of the city fortress Jan de Witte. Under his leadership, two more tiers were added, the roof was remodeled, and a symmetrical rectangular building was added to the east side of the tower. In honor of the Polish King Stanislaw August, who financed the reconstruction, a white stone slab with an inscription in Latin was placed above the Wind Gate: «The year of God 1585 by the Polish King Stefan Báthory was built, Stanislaw August, King of Poland, restored and enlarged in the year of God 1785».
Defensive constructions of the Middle Ages Kamenec-Podolskij are now considered monuments of urban planning and architecture and are protected by the state. The tower of Stefan Bathory is recognized by experts as one of the outstanding works of defense architecture and is included in the register of monuments of national importance. As well as other historical sights of the city, these constructions invariably arouse unflagging interest of historians, admirers of antiquity, guests and residents of Kamyanets-Podilskyi.