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The pride and character of the Dnipro region are embodied in the renowned Petrykivka painting, which originated from the village of the same name. Historians believe that this traditional ornamental technique with floral motifs was born from the decoration of rural houses. The inspiration for these floral ornaments came from the local nature – garden and meadow flowers, berries, grape leaves, and ferns. Similar motifs can be found in icon painting and applied arts, such as the decoration of dishes, towels, and clothing. In 2013, UNESCO included Petrykivka painting in its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
The scarcity of wood, typical of southern regions, also affected rural houses in the Dnipro region. Due to rich clay deposits, hollow brick – also known as "lympach," an unfired brick made from a mixture of clay, straw, and sand – has been widely used for construction since ancient times. However, brick houses became the most widespread in the region. This was mainly due to the building practices of the Mennonites. In more modern homes, wooden gables can be seen, and the eaves and cornices of roofs are often decorated with wooden planks.
Facades are often painted in light pastel shades, combined with blue and green gables. Decorative elements, often painted in blue, green, and brown, further enhance these color combinations. Houses are decorated with brick and molded decor. A distinctive feature of the region is the variety of plant and geometric molded elements, which stylistically resonate with Petrykivka. The corners and facades of houses are adorned with painted tiles and ornaments – especially popular in the region are grape and rhombus patterns. Gables are crowned with wooden peaks.
A unique continuation of the tradition of building with clay is the use of ceramic tiles. For this practical and durable material, villagers turned to local pottery masters or made them themselves. Both basic shapes and stencils (checkerboards, rhombuses) and more individual patterns were used to decorate the facades.