Zolotyi Potik


Zolotyi Potik is an urban-type settlement in the Buchach Raion of Ternopil Oblast in western Ukraine. Its population is 2,395 as of the 2001 Ukrainian Census.

History

The settlement "Zahaipole" was founded in 1388. In 1570, it was re-established under the ownership of the House of Potocki as "Potok" - the name connected with the family's surname. Potok was first mentioned in written sources in the late 16th century, as part of the territory ceded by Sigismund I the Old to Sigismund II Augustus. In 1601, it was granted Magdeburg rights and renamed "Potok Złoty".
When Stefan Potocki established Potok Złoty, he modified his coat of arms by changing the silver cross to gold - in this way, the Piława Potocki line evolved into two branches: silver and golden. He and his wife, Maria Mohylanka, founded a church and convent of St. Stefan in the town. Jakub Potocki and Stefan Potocki are both buried there.
In 1676, the invading Turkish-Tartar army destroyed the local castle. After the first partition of Poland in 1772, the town was controlled by the Holy Roman Empire, the Austrian Empire, Austria-Hungary, Poland, and finally the USSR. In 1984, Zolotyi Potik was granted the status of an urban-type settlement.
During the German occupation, its Jewish inhabitants, comprising around one-third of the total population, were mostly expelled to Buchach and then transported to the Bełżec extermination camp or shot.

Landmarks and points of interest