Svitlodolynske (Lichtental)

Lichtental (now Svitlodolynske) was a German agricultural colony within the Sarata Colonists’ District of Akkerman Uyezd in the Bessarabian Governorate. From 1918 to 1940, it was part of Romania; from 1940 to 1991, it belonged to the USSR. Today, the territory of the former colony is part of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi District, Odesa Region.

The colony was founded on the Chylihider River, 60 km southwest of Akkerman. Settlement took place between 1834 and 1847. The settlers were Evangelicals—followers of the spiritual leader Ignaz Lindl—who arrived from Württemberg, Sarata, and Gnadental. Lichtental was the birthplace of Karl Wilhelm, publisher of the newspaper Odessaer Zeitung.

Viticulture and winemaking were among the principal occupations of the inhabitants. Lichtental became a center for advanced training courses for winegrowers. The colony had a church (1903), a school (1907), and a brickworks.

In 1940, following the incorporation of Bessarabia into the USSR, the residents of Lichtental resettled en masse in Germany.