What is "melnytsia-podilska"

Melnytsia-Podilska (until 1940, Melnytsia-nad-Dnistrom, ) is an urban-type settlement in the Borshchiv Raion ( district) of Ternopil Oblast ( province) in western Ukraine. Its population is 3,866 as of the 2001 Ukrainian Census.

The settlement is located in the southernmost part of the province, on the left bank of the Dnister River. To the north is the Khudykovtsi village, and to the south is the settlement of Vilkhovets. On the opposite bank of the Dnister lies the village of Perebykivtsi in Khotyn Raion. The Ukrainian automobile road T-2002 runs through the town.

The town of Melnytsia was first mentioned in the 11th century, which was soon destroyed during the Mongol invasion of Rus'. From 1362, the settlement was in the possession of the Koriatovych family. From the end of the 16th century, Lanckoroński magnates ruled the territory. Ever since the 17th century, the settlement was known as Melnytsia-nad-Dnistrom (or Melnytsia-upon-the-Dnister). In 1747, the town was granted Magdeburg rights. Later in that century, the territory changed hands, to be controlled by the Dunin-Borkowski grafs.

Since ancient times, windmills were spaced throughout the settlement, a prime location situated on the slopes of the Dnister River, hence the name "Melnytsia," or windmill in Ukrainian. In order to distinguish from other settlements named "Melnytsia," the ending -Podilska was added in 1940. In 1960, Melnytsia-Podilska was upgraded to that of an urban-type settlement.