Berdychów

Berdychów (Ukrainian: Берди́чів, Polish: Berdyczów, Yiddish: בערדיטשעוו, Berditchev, Russian: Берди́чев, Berdichev) is a city in Zhytomyr Oblast (province) of northern Ukraine. It is the administrative center of Berdychiv Raion (district), though the city itself is incorporated as a city of oblast significance and does not belong to the raion.

Historically, Berdychów was an important center of Jewish life and commerce, often referred to as the "Jerusalem of Volhynia." It was a prominent shtetl, boasting a large Jewish population prior to the Holocaust. The city was also a significant center of Hasidic Judaism, associated with the Berditchever dynasty.

Berdychów's history is complex and marked by periods of prosperity and devastation. Founded in the 16th century, it came under Polish rule before being incorporated into the Russian Empire after the Partitions of Poland. During the Russian Empire, Berdychów became a major trading hub, particularly known for its fairs.

The Jewish community of Berdychów suffered greatly during the Holocaust, with the vast majority of its members murdered by Nazi forces. The city was occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Today, Berdychów is an industrial city with a diverse population. It retains some architectural remnants of its past, although many of its historical Jewish sites were destroyed or repurposed during the Soviet era. While the Jewish population is significantly smaller than it once was, efforts are underway to preserve and commemorate the city's rich Jewish heritage.