Podolia

Podolia or Podillia is a historic region in Eastern Europe located in the west-central and southwestern parts of Ukraine and northeastern Moldova (i.e. northern Transnistria). Podolia is penetrated by Southern Buh river and bordered by the Dniester River to the south. It features an elongated plateau and fertile agricultural land covering an area of 40,000 square kilometres (15,000 sq mi). The two main rivers serve as important trade channels. Podolia is known for its cherries, mulberries, melons, gourds, and cucumbers. The region has a rich history, dating back to the Neolithic, with various tribes and civilizations occupying it over time. It became part of the Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia, the Golden Horde, the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Ottoman Empire, the Habsburg monarchy of Austria, and the Russian Empire. In the 20th century, Podolia underwent various political changes, with both the Second Polish Republic and the Soviet Union controlling parts of it at different times. Podolian culture is renowned for its folk icon-painting tradition, with red, green, and yellow colors dominating the art. These iconic works can be collected in the Vinnytsya Art Museum and the Museum of Ukrainian Home Icons in Radomysl Castle.