An amazing international festival of the historical reconstruction of the Middle ages “The Battle Between Nations” was held in the Khotynskaya fortress ( the city of Khotyn, Ukraine) from the 30th of April till the 3rd of May. Central events were fights between national teams of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Canada, Italy and Germany. Besides soldiers there were a lot of other personages who just walked on the fortress territory feigning peasants or court servants.
Participants’ tents where they lived during the festival.
The Italian team participated in face to face and in massive battles.
A face to face battle.
The category “Shield and sword”.
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The category “Two-handled sword”.
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The category ” Sword and buckler”.
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The Khotyn town is one of the most ancient towns of the Bukovina (the first record of the city was in 1001). On a cape, in the center of a peculiar amphitheatre of hills, there is a historical and architectural monument ( the XI-XVIIIth centures) – the most powerful stronghold in the Eastern Europe.
The Khotyn fortress has seen many different events for hundreds of its existence. And despite the advanced age it remained in a good condition. The town was governed in turn by Moldavians, Turks, Cossacks and Poles.
Many historical and feature films as “Three Musketeers”, “An Old Fortress”, “Arrows of Robin Hood” were shot exactly here.
Inhabitants of Khotyn like to think up different stories concerning the nature of this spot on the wall. The most popular legend is about a brave Ukrainian girl who left the fortress during the Tatars’ siege because they hadn’t any well. But when she was coming back with an earthenware pot, she was wounded seriously and a wet spot was left at this place. The girl died very soon but she did bring the water to soldiers. Somebody believes that the spot has a form of a pot.
Another version: once upon a time the fortress belonged to a popular magnate who had a daughter. But he was too greedy and cruel and marry his daughter off to a rich man whom she didn’t love. She resisted and her father decided to brick her up in the fortress. Bitter tears were falling from her beautiful face and they formed this wet spot.
The fortress seems to be here all the time. It grows from the ground so naturally as grass or a flower.
“Swisses”.
Location:Khotyn
via horoshiyblog
Beauty place, i was there in 2007. I hope to see it once more …
Hotin belonged to Romania before communist Russia took it away, along with the rest of Northern Bukowina and Bessarabia. There will come a day when all these lands will come back to the mother country.
America had a Dark Ages, too. The Reagan-Bush regime.
So, is that how the SCA got started over here?
I didn’t know they had color photography back in the 15th century. These are rare pics indeed.
These sort of events can be a lot of fun, but you don’t half meet some weirdos there too. Some people actually believe life was better back then.
Canadian knights?!
I drove though Khotyn but never knew about all this. I should visit it.
I’m in my “middle ages.”
nice li’l castle up there. Only those strange persons ….
nice pictures i realy enjoyed that.
It looks like a Ren Fest like we have here in the States!
Hooray!!!
Looks like the local chapter of the Involuntarily Celibate Club got together for a meeting.
What happened to my comment?
Yup, even back in the 13th century the ladies were impressed by a knight in his armour – and Nike running shoes…
what a life!!thatS what life means!its big FUN! the view the attitude n ppl just so peaceullllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllEVERYTHING
oh gee! where here my place is! i wanna move out of where ima livin.
=-=llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Everyone is to clean
Romanian land!