Wooden windmills, white houses, and flowing rivers: a glimpse into what Poltava region looked like over a century ago.

Looking at retro photographs is always a journey into the past, an opportunity to see how the world that existed before us looked. Old photographs are not only historical documents but also an emotional connection to our ancestors: their way of life, nature, architecture, and labor. The Facebook group Violity has published a series of photographs of Poltava taken over a hundred years ago. They showcase the beauty and authenticity of the region during those distant times. We invite you to take a look at these incredible images together.

The main source of income for local farmers was agriculture. Flax, grown in the fields, became not only the foundation for fabric production but also a symbol of the hard work of many generations. Old photographs capture the process of flax harvesting.

The Vorskla and Psel rivers were not only centers of natural beauty but also important communication routes. Ferries on the Vorskla, particularly near the village of Havrontsi, illustrate how the residents of Poltava overcame water obstacles when modern bridges did not yet exist. These ferries served as the primary means of transporting people, livestock, and goods.

The photographs also depict wooden mills towering over the fields. Their blades turned with the power of the wind, grinding grain into flour. These mills belonged to the prosperous Kochubei family.

At that time, the architecture of Poltava was characterized by simplicity and harmony with nature. White houses with thatched roofs reflected the traditional way of life of Ukrainians.

These images remind us of a time when people lived closer to nature, worked hand in hand, and although life was more challenging, it also had its joys and tranquility.

Previously, we shared how the homes of the residents of Luhansk looked 100 years ago.