Mount Bona Sforza

Mount Bona Sforza

Perched on a high hill overlooking the Riv River, this location marks the beginning of one of the oldest fortified settlements in the Podillia region.

In the late 14th century, the Koriatovych princes, who ruled Podillia, built a wooden castle here with double defensive walls and towers. The fortress stood on a large artificial mound and served as an important defensive stronghold, protecting the southern frontier from nomadic raids.

Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, the castle was repeatedly destroyed during Tatar invasions but was rebuilt each time. A significant moment in its history came in 1533, when the Polish queen Bona Sforza arrived in Riv with her son, Sigismund Augustus. She purchased the surrounding lands and ordered the construction of a new, stronger fortress on the opposite bank of the river. After the castle was relocated, a new settlement known as Hornyi Bar (or Chemerysy) developed on the site of the original fortress.

Today, Mount Bona Sforza is an important historical site that preserves the memory of the earliest chapters in the history of Bar. The hill offers beautiful panoramic views of the town and its surroundings, making it a popular destination for visitors interested in history, archaeology, and the cultural heritage of Podillia.