Podolia

Podolia Поділля, Podolia Podilia
Historical region
From top, left to right: Medieval fortress in Kamianets-Podilskyi Capuchin monastery in Vinnytsia Zalishchyky Potocki Palace in Tulchyn
Coat of arms
Podolia (yellow) in modern Ukraine
Country	Ukraine, Moldova
Region	West Ukraine, Central Ukraine
Historical capital	Kamianets-Podilskyi
Largest city	Vinnytsia
Parts	Ternopil Oblast, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Vinnytsia Oblast, Odesa Oblast, Cherkasy Oblast
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)

Podolia or Podilia (Ukrainian: Поділля, romanized: Podillia, IPA: [poˈd⁽ʲ⁾ilʲːɐ]; Russian: Подолье, romanized: Podolye; Romanian: Podolia; Polish: Podole; German: Podolien; Belarusian: Падолле, romanized: Padollie; Lithuanian: Podolė; Yiddish: פאדאליע, romanized: Podolie) is a historic region in Eastern Europe, located in the west-central and south-western parts of Ukraine and in northeastern Moldova (i.e. northern Transnistria).

Podolia is bordered by the Dniester River and the Eastern Bug River. Covering an area of 40,000 square kilometres (15,000 sq mi), it features an elongated plateau and fertile agricultural land. Its main rivers are the Dniester and the Southern Bug, which 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 period, 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 Austrian Habsburg monarchy, and the Russian Empire. In the 20th century, Podolia underwent various political changes, with both Poland 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. Collections of these iconic works can be found in the Vinnytsya Art Museum and the Museum of Ukrainian Home Icons in Radomysl Castle.