The fortress of Chocim witnessed two key triumphs for the Polish Republic, in battles against the Turkish army in 1621 and 1673. In the first battle, the Polish troops were led by Hetman Jan Karol Chodkiewicz, while in the second the role of commander was performed by the future king, Hetman Jan Sobieski. The success of the Crown was determined both by the skills of the soldiers and the talent of their superiors, and by the military values of the castle.

History of the fortress
The first recorded fortress existed in Chocim already around 1140. The timber-framed structure then belonged to the Duchy of Halych. Later, a quadrangular-shaped masonry castle was erected in its place, the construction of which dates back to the 13th century or to the years 1325-1380. The fortress, which was intended to perform defensive functions from the very beginning, was modernised by successive rulers, above all by Moldavian lords (it should also be remembered that from 1387 Moldavia was a fief of the Republic of Poland). Among the most important stages in the history of the complex was the reconstruction ordered by Stefan III the Great after the middle of the 15th century, as a result of which the castle received an irregular outline, adapted to the topography, reinforced with massive walls, towers and towers. Among other things, an area for soldiers, a representative seat and a chapel were separated in its area. In 1538, Chocim was captured by Hetman Jan Tarnowski's troops - during the battle, the towers and part of the southern wall suffered damage, and in the course of reconstruction it was moved beyond the contours of the earlier fortress (thus enlarging the area of the fortification). A quarter of a century later, the castle was once again taken from Moldavia by Dmitry Wisniowiecki. As mentioned earlier, great victories of the Crown army took place at Chocim in 1621 and 1673. Chocim did not remain in Polish hands for long (often passing into the hands of other powers and periodically returning to the Commonwealth). In the second decade of the 18th century, when the castle was in the hands of the Turks, the fortifications were strengthened by erecting massive earth ramparts, shaping new bastions and gates (Kamieniecka, Podolska, Jasska, Ruska and Banderska). The hosts of the time adapted the complex to their own religion and culture, building a mosque with a minaret and a bathhouse. After the Ottoman Empire, the estate was taken over by the Russians in 1812, who, among other things, erected an Orthodox church next to the castle. Further political and ownership changes meant that in the 20th century Chocim belonged to Romania (twice) and the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, only to find itself on Ukrainian territory in 1991. For the fortress, the decision to open it to the public as one of the most important and best-preserved defensive structures in the Borderlands was crucial.

Architecture of the castle of Chocim
The castle's location on a steep slope descending towards the Dniester River had a strong influence on its shape. The peripheral walls, more than 5 m thick and up to 40 m high, were constructed of stone supplemented with brick ornaments in the form of meanders (partially preserved). From the south, the complex was preceded by a moat over which a bridge was thrown, leading to the main gate. The defence system was complemented by massive towers suitable for terrain observation and artillery fire: the entrance tower; the south-west tower (formerly used as a smithy); the west tower (connected with the commandant's office, reaching a height of over 62 m); the east tower (reaching a height of 55 m) and the north tower (with walls 68 m high). The inner courtyard with a well is surrounded by buildings from the castle's heyday: the chapel, the commandant's residence (with a brick and stone façade and profiled window frames), barracks and utility rooms. Chocim fortress, characterised by a complex and multifaceted history. It was located in a border area, constantly exposed to armed conflicts. The political situation and hillside topography gave the castle a unique, monumental mass (requiring considerable resources and engineering skills), towering over the Dniester valley.