Khortytsia Zaporozhian Sich, one of the earliest known Siches, was founded in 1553-1557 (other sources point to 1556-1557) with the active participation of Zaporozhian Hetman Dmytro Vyshnevetsky, nicknamed Baida.

Dmytro Vyshnevetsky-Baida built his town not on Khortytsia Island but on the neighboring island of Mala Khortytsia, also known as Verkhniokhortytsky, Kantserovsky, Vyrva, and most interestingly, Baida Island. It was there that archaeologists unearthed the remains of a 16th — century fortification as well as rifles, fragments of sabers, axes, arrow and spear heads, and coins dating to the time of Dmytro Vyshnevetsky.