Lviv - the Cultural Capital of Ukraine

LVIV

Lviv (Lwow, Lemberg, Leopolis, Lvov) – all those names were given to Lviv – the city of "sleeping lions" which has changed them throughout its long history. Nowadays Lviv remains one of the most beautiful, charming and mysterious cities of Eastern Europe. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for its monuments to the past and architecture. Lviv or «Lion's city», was named by its founder - the Galycian-Volynian king Danylo Galytsky, in honour of his son Lev. The city was first mentioned in the Galycian-Volynian Chronicle in 1256.

The centre of ancient Lviv was on the place of today's Rynok Square (Market Square). Situated on the crossroads of trade routes, Lviv grew fast, and soon became an important centre of commerce and crafts. Lviv had considerable strategic value because of its location in the middle of Galycian-Volyn principality. In 1272 Lviv became a capital of Galycian-Volynian principality, by order of prince Lev. During many centuries Tatars, Moldavians, Turks, Polish nobility were attacking Lviv, and the defences were a vital matter. Basically the system of fortifications was completed in 1445, a defence rampart, 16 metres high; the High and Low Castles. The last significant addition to the town defences was the Royal Arsenal, constructed in 1639-1669 (13 Pidvalna Street).

The High Castle (Vysokyy Zamok), built by the Polish King Kazimierz III, heavily fortified and located on a steep hill, 300 metres high, remained inaccessible for more than 300 years. It was only in 1648 that the High Castle was seized for the first time, by the Cossacks of Maxym Kryvonis. In 1672 Turks captured it almost without a fight. Later, little was done to save the Castle from decay, and in the 1870s it was dismantled, with a segment of its southern wall being preserved.

The Lower Castle, famous for its beauty, rebuilt after 1565 to replace earlier wooden ones, was located on the site presently occupied by the national Museum and Maria Zankovetska Theatre. In 1537 King Sigismund I the Old signed the Order which put an end to the absolute monarchy in Poland. The Swedish King Karl XII stayed in the Lower Castle in 1704 after capturing the city. A royal residence, the Castle also served as a prison for Polish nobility.

After fire in 1527 Lviv was razed to the ground, leaving only two structures: the Town Hall and one other building; the survival of the latter was attributed to the protection of the Holy Virgin. The buildings which appeared later were mostly built of stone. The most common type of building was a three-storeyed with three windows on each floor. Lviv was one of the few cities enjoying the right to the exclusive storage of oriental goods, oriental spices, extremely expensive in Europe (for example, black pepper cost twice as much as gold in Western Europe), were cheap and accessible in Lviv.

Local town people loved good drinks. Among the popular drinks in Lviv were gorilka mead. Also wine was popular, which was brought from Greece, Spain, Italy and Hungary, the city even had its own wine manufacturing. But the most favourite drink was beer, which in those days was exported even to Bavaria.

Lviv city is considered justly as pearl of Europe and it is the capital of Galychyna (West Ukraine). Proud Lviv has successfully remained almost untouched throughout seven ages, preserving its historical atmosphere and old architecture. It is city of old cathedrals, churches, historical monuments and central narrow cobbled streets which well-combined with modern buildings. Lviv is one among other few cities in East Europe that preserved its medieval authenticity, escaping big damage despite being the scene of brutal fighting in virtually every conflict to rock the region in the past few centuries.

Lviv is one of the oldest towns in Eastern Europe. It was always a trading and cultural crossroads, something which attracted many talented artists, architects and sculptors from whole the continent.

Legendary Lviv: City of Mystery

Lviv is a city of legends, many of them are romantic. Sometimes Lviv seems like a city full of legends, gothic novels and fairy-tales, with its cobbled streets, ancient facades and shady courtyards.
Tourists can be offered journey through mystical Lviv from the very foundation of the city until the present day, with tales about ghosts, alchemists, demonic figures. They will have a chance to explore the Jesuit crypt beneath a Roman Catholic Church which is said to be haunted by the ghost of a monk who disappeared from Lviv in mysterious circumstances and the vault of Lviv’s drug store museum which includes a fabulous and fantastic alchemist’s room and other.
Lviv is one of the most romantic cities in Ukraine, if not the whole of Eastern Europe, It is famous with its love stories and such outstanding lovers such as the notorious Leopold Ritter von Sacher-Masoch the 19 century Austrian writer and journalist who gained renown for his erotic and disturbing stories of Galician life. He was born in Lviv, the term “masochism” is derived from his name.

Coffee Capital: Lviv Cafes

Lviv is considered as “coffee capital” of Ukraine. It is hard to imagine Lviv without its many coffee houses, (called kaviarni) and their comfortable, unique atmosphere where even time itself dissolves like sugar in an aromatic cup of the city’s favorite drink.
By the way coffee was first introduced to Central Europe by Yuriy Kultchytskyy – Lviv local famous person and some of Europe’s first ever coffee houses were located in Lviv. And even the first coffeehouse in Austria opened in Vienna in 1683 after the Battle of Vienna, by using supplies from the spoils obtained after defeating the Turks, was also opened by Yuriy Kultchytskyy. He brought 300 sacks of the coffee beans received from Turks. Till present time coffee is very popular and is favourite drink for almost all people in Lviv.
Visitors to Lviv are surprised by the local passion for all sweet things.

What to see in Lviv?

Jesuit Cathedral

1610-1635. Teatralna str., 13. The Church of St. Apostoles Peter and Paul.

Jesuit Cahedral is an example of Lviv Baroque style and was built at the time when the Jesuit Order had consolidating position in the West of Ukraine.

At the beginning of Jesuits Order existing in Lviv, they built wooden church in1584 but in 1608 they established Jesuits college attached to it and two years later began constructing the pompous Church of St.Peter and St.Paul which was intended to enhance the Order's prestige and popularity. Sebastian Lachmius, a monk, based his design for the church on that of Il Gesu in Roma. His designs were modified by a professional Italian architect, Jacopo Briano, in 1618–1621. Adjacent to the Cathedral is the building of the Jesuit College, dating from 1723. The College was set up in 1608. Some sources say that Bohdan Khmelnytskyy – prominent hetman of Ukraine was among the students of Jesuits' college.

In 1661 the Polish King John Kazimiers by special decree, converted cathedral into a university. Later the Lviv University has moved to the former building of Seim (Parliament) of Galicia and Lodomeria. This date is considered to be the foundation date of Lviv University as institution.

The church 100-metre-high tower, the highest in the entire history of Lviv, was finally finished only in 1702. In 1740, the vaults were frescoed by the Eckstein brothers from Brno. During the Soviet period all the paintings were terribly injured, when the church was used as a storage facility and suffered relative neglect.

The Virgin Mary's Assumption church

Years: 1591-1631. Blessed: 1631. Ruska, 5. The church of Virgin Mary's Dormition and the Korniakt Tower.

The Virgin Mary's Assumption Church was blessed in 1631 by Kyiv metropolitan Petro Mohyla. This church is truly considered the pearl of Ukrainian sacral architecture of the Renaissance, near the church there is Kornyakt's tower. It was the highest building in Lviv in old times.

Armenian Church

1363-1908. Virmeska str., 7.

Armenian church is one of the most ancient churches in Lviv was built in 1363 and underwent many reconstructions. There is an Armenian cemetery with old grave monuments (16-17c) and the wooden chapel “Calvary” (18c) in the yard of the church.

At those period of time the biggest armenian diaspora in Ukraine nearly 150.000 people lived in Lviv. They lived in Lviv since the 14th century, most of them were merchants or craftsmen. If talk about place where they dwelled it is present Armenian street or Vulytsa Virmenska in the center of the old town, near Armenian Church. This street still preserved very calm atmospere in spite of that there are many cafes and restaurants now.
The bell-tower of the church and the entrance to the church in a yard were built in 1571. The inner yard shows an impressive wooden altar from the 18th century and has many tombstones or memorial stones, some of them older than the church, more than 600 years.
During soviet occupation the interior was closed and any access to church was forbidden, invaluable icons were stored, fresco paintings were destroyed, which were renovated in independent Ukraine. In 2001 this sacral place was returned to the renewed Armenian Apostle church. The name of the church was also renewed and became the Virgin Mary's Dormition church, and the church can fulfill it's proper purpose: to serve for service and prayer.

Church of the Blessed Eucharist

Muzeyna str., 1.

Church of the Blessed Eucharist in a former Dominican Roman-Catholic church was re-opened in 1997. It became Ukrainian Greek-Catholic church of the Blessed Eucharist. This church appeared in form of late baroque in 1749 - 1764. During a long time the sculpture of the Virgin Mary of Alabaster, which is in Krakow now, was a protector of the church. It is known in several copies now.

After occupation of Lviv by bolsheviks, the church was closed and turned into store and in 1970 in the church was opened museum of religions and atheism. People were given lectures on atheism there and taught that atheism was the only right way. Now it is one of the most popular churches, and you can listen to the organ music there.

St. Anna's Church

XVI century. 32, Horodotska str.

St. Anna's church has been known since the XVI century. It was founded in 1505, as monastery of Augustin order, but in 1509 wooden buildings were burnt and then rebuilt in stone. In the XVIII century the pilgrims were coming here with prayers to the Wonder-working Icon of Holy Mother. After the World War II the church was closed and turned into booking office for selling railways tickets and then there was furniture consignment shop and only in independent Ukraine this ancient church was returned to believers.

The Ancient Church Of The Order Of Poor Clares - Museum Of The Sacral Sculpture

1607. Lychakivska str., 2.

The Ancient Church Of The Order Of Poor Clares was founded as the nunnery of the Poor Clares Order (XVII-XVIII) by famous architects. During the XIX century was closed for the Liturgies. In 1996 in the building of church was opened the Museum of Sacral Baroque Sculpture — “The Art of Johann George Pinsel”. The workers of Lviv Art Gallery saved the sculptural works of this outstanding European artist in 1960s -1970s. They were restored as the museum exhibits. These works are unique and has no analogue.

Lviv St.George Cathedral

St. George Cathedral is the main sanctuary of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. It is truly one of the most beautiful churches in the whole Ukraine, its architecture and beauty impresses all people, both believers and non-believers. It was built in 1744- 1762 on the Svyatoyurska Hora (St.George Hill) 321 metres above sea level. During difficult history of Lviv, the church was many times destroyed by invaders, but it always been reconstructed. But the present day gorgeousness and beauty church gained in 18 century. The most valuable relics of the church is the Wonder-working Icon of the Virgin Mary (17 c.). It was brought to Lviv by bishop Joseph (Shumlians'kyi) in 1674. In architecture and sculptures of St.George Church we may recognize the best traditions of West Europe. This influence is seen in almost every part of church.

The Latin Cathedral

XIX. Katedralna str., 1. The Cathedral of Virgin Mary's Dormition.

The Latin Cathedral is the main Roman-Catholic church in Lviv. The first stone was laid by the king Kazimierz the Great in 1349, and was being constructed during the centuries, absorbing the styles of different epochs — gothic, renaissance and baroque. There is the most valuable relics in the central altar of the church - the recurrence of the Wonder-working Icon of the Virgin Mary the Gentle. In times of enemy invasion in 1656, the king Jan Kazimierz confidet his country to Her care. In the 18 century the interior of the church was reconstructed and at the end of the 19 century, new stained-glass windows were produced, which organically supplemented and accomplished the interior of the church.

In 2001 Pope Ioan Paul II visited the cathedral during His mission in Ukraine.

St. Andrew s church

1600. Soborna sq., 3.

The history of the church and Bernardine Order monastery, which was at first wooden and then re-built in stone, is connected with the name of monk Jan from Dukla. Here in the 19 century, a future metropolitan of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church Andrei Sheptyts'kyi was ordained. There is the grave monument of St. Jan from Dukla is placed in the presbyter. His image saved the city from enemy invasions time and again.

In soviet totalitarian period the St.Andrew's church was converted to transferring point for recruits, then it was dormitory for workers and later club from mechanics-glass factory.

In Independent Ukraine the monks of the St. Basil Order obtained this church and in February 1991 the former Roman-Catholic church of monastery of Bernardine Order monastery was returned to the believers.

There are a lot of other ancient churches and monasteries worth to see in Lviv, among them - Church of St.Olha and Elizabeth (1903-1911), St.Anna's Church (XVI century), St.Nicholas Church (Year 1242), St.Paraskevia's Church (Year 1644), St.Onuphrius' Church (Year 1550) and other churches which were closed during Soviet occupation.

You will be very impressed by Lviv museums and theatres. Wherever you go you can see museums and monuments to the past.

Lviv Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life – park of folk architecture “Shevchenkivskyy Hai”

The park-museum covers 59 hectars. The exposition of the Museum was opened for visitors in 1972, it shows folk, traditional architecture and rural life of ukrainians. It is an open-air museum containing 120 monuments of folk architecture including six wooden churches.

The park-museum covers 59 hectars. The exposition of the Museum was opened for visitors in 1972, it shows folk, traditional architecture and rural life of ukrainians. It is an open-air museum containing 120 monuments of folk architecture including six wooden churches.

The territory of the Museum is divided into 8 exposition sectors – “Boikivshchyna”,“Lemkivshchyna", “Hutsulshchyna”, “Bukovyna”, “Podillya", “Polissya ”, “Lvivshchyna ”, “Volyn” which represent ethnographical and historic–geographical zones of the Western Ukraine.

This park attracts travellers with its authenticity.

The Lviv National Museum Of Ukrainian Art

The Lviv National Museum of Ukrainian Art was founded in 1905. The history of its creation is connected to the extensive democratic movement in Western Ukraine for national and social liberation, and for the Ukrainians' right to their own culture. Many famous ukrainian artists and ethnographers took part in foundation of the museum. Museum has many invaluable works, including the 14-th - 18-th century Ukrainian art section, which is one of the museum's richest, graphically demonstrating the national uniqueness of Ukrainian icon-painting, and its original contribution to the general Slavic art treasury.

The Pharmacy Museum

The Pharmacy Museum located at the corner of Stauropegiyska and Drukarska Streets was opened in 1966 in the building of the pharmacy which existed since 1775. On the facade of this old building there are two unique bas-reliefs, which show Aesculapius - the Greek god of medicine, and his daughter Hygiene - the Greek goddess of health. By the way Lviv pharmacists were first mentioned in the chronicles in the 13th century. The wife of prince Lev, Constance, founded a hospital and a pharmacy at the Dominican Monastery.

The museum amounts nearly 8.000 exhibits, including vessels, scales, instruments and manuscripts in few rooms. The most attractive exhibit in the trade hall is the unique scales of the 18th century. One of the earliest samples of the oil lamp made in the middle of the 19th century can be found there. The first oil lamp was made in Lviv.

The Johann Georg Pinsel Museum

In Museum of Lviv Sacral Sculpture "Johann Georg Pinsel Creative Work" is the former Poor Clares Church was opened in 1996.

Johann Georg Pinsel – was very outstanding sculptor of the end of 18th century – late rococo period, at the end of the 1750s he created the sculptural ensemble on St.George Cathedral in Lviv, worked in Lviv St.Martin Church and other works. The sculptor's creative heritage is a remarkable phenomenon in the history of Ukrainian and the world culture, and it has no equal in Europe of the mid-18th c. The works of famous sculptor impresses with creativeness and naturalness.

Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre

Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre is one of the most beautiful and unique theatres in the whole Ukraine and moreover in Europe. The building of theatre impresses with its sculptural and picturesque richness, was constructed in 1897-1900 in the Viennese neo-Renaissance style by architect Zygmunt Gorgolewski. The building is crowned by large bronze statues, symbolizing Glory, Poetry and Music.

The theatre is over 100 years old and has recently undergone major reconstruction of the interior, which is now richly decorated with gilt and beautiful marble in the foyer and wide main staircase. Many stars of Ukrainian and world opera have performed here, such as Enrico Caruso, Mattia Battistini, Solomiya Krushelnytska and others. An extensive and varied programmes of opera and ballet is regularly performed here throughout the year, and particularly during the summer months.

alace of Kornyakt (Italian or Venetian Yard) - is one of the finest Renaissance monuments in Ukraine. The Italian architects Petro from Barbona and Paolo from Rome were commissioned to do the design for the palace in 1580 in style of Italian palazzo for Greek merchant Constantine Kornyakt one of Lviv's richest and most educated men. The Italian Courtyard (or the Venetian Courtyard) as it is called, is an architectural jewel and a major tourist attraction. In the eighteenth century, Shakespeare’s plays were performed there on a makeshift stage. This is so great place to relax, especially in spring-summer-autumn season. You can enjoy a special spirit of the Yard, created by Italian architecture and art atmosphere around. You can also get a drink and snack in Italian Yard’s cafe; so many artists, actors, singers and composers of Lviv meet here. Indeed, it is place to get some inspiration!

Next to Italian Yard, Black Stone House were founded in 1588, famous for its black stones, grown dark with age. After 1647 the House became the property of John Sobiesky, the future King of Poland. Eternal Peace Treaty between Poland and Russia under which Poland gave up its claims to the left-bank Ukraine was signed in this house in 1686. Nowadays concerts and performances are arranged by Lviv's conservatory in this building every year, which became a good tradition.
A beautiful stone-carving decorates the main entrance. A statue of St.Martin,the patron saint of one of the house owners, doctor of Medicine - Martin Anchevsky can be seen on the facade of the house.

City hall or Ratusha. The first Town hall was mentioned in 1381. First it was a wooden construction with a tall tower and a gallery, destroyed by fire. At the beginning of 17th century a new Town Hall was constructed. But unfortunately in 1826 the tower fell down and this building did not survive either. In 1835 the present building was constructed by architects Juzef Markel, Frantishek Treter and Alois Wondrashka. Its 65 m.tall tower has become a symbol of the city. Near the entrence there are two lions who guard the entrance to the town, holding a shield with the city coat of arms, which contains the gate with two watchtowers. It is symbol, demonstrating the city's hospitality and unwelcome guests awareness.

There are four fountains with antique sculptures of Neptune, Adonis, Diana and Amphitrite around the Town Hal. The fountains were built there in 1793.

The Chapel of Boims– is Renaissance monument, built in XVII century by order of merchant George Boim in 1609-1615. There are a lot of ideas about architect of Chapel, but his exact name is still unknown. It worth to see its bareliefs and fresco portraites of George Boim and his wife Yadviha.

Palazzo Bandinelli (Bandinelli Palace) is a late Renaissance townhouse on the Market square. It was commissioned in the late 16th century by a Florentine merchant, Roberto Bandinelli, known as the founder of the first post office in eastern Lesser Poland. That office was housed in the building since 1629 onward. The house was considerably renovated in 1737-1739. In the 19th century Palazzo Bandinelli was used as a bookshop and a meeting place for the local rich people.

Among the other best known palaces is Palace of Pototskyh belonged to the Counts Pototsky (at Kopernika Street). Alfred II Pototskyy was viceroy of Galychyna and Lodomeriya in 1875–1883, and being an admirer of the times and style of the French King Louis XIV, the Sun King, he commissioned a French architect, Luois d’Overnu, to do the design of a palace for him. The most interesting is the fact that the Palace was not damaged during two wars, but during military parade which was held in Lviv in 1919 to celebrate victories of Poland in its war against Soviet Russia. A US-built plane that was to fly over the city suddenly took a nosedive, the pilot lost control of the plane and it fell right on the roof of the Pototsky Palace. The damage caused by plane was not very sifnificant but it caused fire and the palace was completely gutted. The Pototskys were paid compensation by the Polish government and later the palace was restored.

After the World War II, the palace was used as premises for a research center; later it turned into so-called “Palace of Happiness” — the central marriage registry office. In 2001, the palace was given to the Lviv Art Gallery to house some of its collections there. At present, the collection of the European arts of the fourteenth to eighteenth centuries is exhibited in the palace.

PARKS

Lviv can be proud of its beautiful and picturesque parks. It is fair to say that Lviv's parks are amongst the best-loved features of the city.
Among most popular parks is Vysokyy Zamok (High Castle), with its admittedly wonderful view over the surrounding hills, but also to the city's parks. It is monument to garden-park architecture, which is the highest point of the city nearly 413 metres above sea level. It was founded in 1835 and located close to the historic centre. In past times it was surrounded by a fortification wall. The Castle Hill took its name from the High Castle (as opposite to the other, Low Castle), which used to be located on the hill from the 13th century to the late 19th century. The castle was the main defensive fortress of the city during its existence. It was first meantioned in ancient Chronicles of Rus, then it was many times destroyed and rebuilt, but after few attacks it was totally destroyed. But finally the hill's slope were strengthened by planted trees and the park was founded.
From the top of the High Castle hill tourists can see all Lviv's districts and surroundings. Nevertheless the view is marvelous.

The most famous of all is Stryyskyy park, founded in 1876, by outstanding architector Arnold Rering. It is well-known for its big collection of rare plants. There is also lake with swans.

There are also n Lviv also tourists can see other beautiful parks such as Ivana Franko Park, in front of the National University and Bogdan Chmielnitskyy Park or as it is called park of Culture and Recreation. There are plenty of artistic relics of the old era here.