Lviv is a beautiful city in the western part of Ukraine. It has an interesting history and is full of things for the visitor to do and see. In comparison with many other Ukrainian cities, Lviv is much cleaner and also more thoroughly Ukrainian. Ukrainian is the dominant language there, unlike in Kiev or Odessa, where many people speak Russian. In Lviv, the visitor will find cleanliness that rivals that of a city in Germany, as well as many great attractions and things to do, such as museums, churches, and shopping.
A Brief History of Lviv
Lviv was first mentioned in the historical record in 1256. It was founded by the Galician-Volynian prince Danylo Halytskyi, who named the city after his son, Lev. Thereafter, the city was ruled by various powers, most notably Poland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, it became a part of Poland again until World War II. Beginning in the 1980s, Lviv was the center of a Ukrainian independence movement, which lasted until the country gained its independence with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
As a result of its many different rulers, as well as settlers from many different places, Lviv has been developed and influenced by many different peoples. Many Polish, German, Jewish, and Armenian settlers came to the city throughout its history. These different influences are evident in the city's architecture, religion, and overall character. They have also helped to make it the important cultural, scientific, political, and economic center which it is today.
Churches in Lviv
For those interested in seeing churches, Lviv is the perfect place to visit. There are churches everywhere in the city, with a wide variety of architectural styles and denominations. There seems to be a church or cathedral on every corner. Lviv is the center of the Greek-Catholic Church, but Orthodox, Roman-Catholic, and Armenian churches can also be found there. The churches have been built in a wide variety of architectural styles, including old-Ukrainian, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque.
Museums in Lviv
Lviv is also home to some interesting museums. The Lviv National Museum houses an enormous collection of Ukrainian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. There is also the Lviv Art Gallery, which has an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and other artwork from all over Europe, which also dates from the Middle Ages until the present.
Also of interest is the Arms Museum, which has an impressive collection of weapons from many different cultures and historical periods. The building in which it is all housed, the Town Arsenal, also has a rich history and was once part of the town's fortifications.
Other Things to Do in Lviv
Lviv's churches and museums are only a part of what Lviv has to offer. The city center is very beautiful, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A beautiful opera house and fountain stand at one end, and there are also more than enough stores to make any shopper happy. The park in the center is also very beautiful, and has plenty of places to eat and drink surrounding it.
Lviv also has some beautiful parks, in addition to the one in the center. On a hill overlooking the city, where the High Castle once stood, there is now the Vysokyi Zamok Park. At the very top of the hill there stands a platform where visitors can get a great view of the city and surrounding area. Although almost nothing remains of the castle, it is worth the hike to the top just for the amazing view. The Stryiskyi Park to the southwest of the center is renowned for its beauty, and is also worth seeing.
Plenty of Reasons to Visit Lviv
There are plenty of reasons to visit Lviv. Whether one is interested in architecture, history, art, or simply a relaxing day trip in a pleasant city, Lviv has plenty to offer. It is also a very unique city, which has been influenced by many peoples from eastern and western Europe, but has also managed to retain a strong Ukrainian identity.
Source:
Palkov, Taras. Guidebook Lviv. Lviv, Ukraine: Ladex, 2007.
Keith Jackson - Keith Jackson has degrees in history and German from the University of Northern Colorado. He has lived abroad in Germany and Ukraine and ...
