Why is Tluste / Tovste special?

Tovste (formerly Tluste), Ukraine, has a well-documented rich history from its days as a medieval town, with further evidence of ancient settlement dating as far back as the 9th century BC.

Characterised by inter-communal (Jewish, Ukrainian, Polish ) co-existence and development over hundreds of years, until the mid-20th century.

Shaped by Polish influence for nearly five centuries, first within the vast Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1772, and latterly as part of Poland, between the First and Second World Wars. [More under Polish History]

Hotbed of passionate nationalist resistance and defender of the ideal of establishing a Ukrainian nation, fuelled by an underground publishing house. [More under Ukrainian History]

Witness to occupation and repression under Russian and German rule.  Site of a Jewish ghetto during the Second World War; and in 1942-43, scene of horrific atrocities perpetrated against Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators. [More under Jewish History]

Setting of impressive architecture, historical buildings and monuments, many still visible today.  Home to a museum displaying remarkable artefacts from prehistoric times; and a regional centre of educational advancement.

Spiritual birthplace of the Hasidic religious movement, where the Ba'al Shem Tov — described as one of the three greatest Jewish figures of the 18th century — spent many of his formative years and revealed himself to be the “Master of the Good Name” in 1734. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810) whose grave in Uman, Ukraine, is visited every year by tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world, was the great-grandson of Tluste's most notable resident.