Travel Guide · 06. October 2017

Lviv: the Cultural Hub of the Country

“Lviv has definitely got strong gravity force. I don’t know any other city, which could restrain you as much as Lviv does. Due to the fact that when you leave this city, you still remain Lvivian.” - Yaroslav Grytsak (historian).

Lviv is a small Paris, Lviv is a twin of Praga, Lvis is a vintage Krakow, Lviv is a temperamental London. Lviv is called the Second Foggy Albion, because of almost the same amount of rainfalls as in London. The citizen joke: “In Lviv rain began to fall in 1256” (this year indicates the first archived reference of Lviv city).

This is the largest city in Western Ukraine and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The city’s architecture with its old buildings, stunning churches and unique monuments make a magnificent atmosphere. Walking along its narrow medieval streets paved with stones, you will definitely fall in love with the city.

The Old Town of Lviv is an ancient historical part of the city that was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The tourist attractions located there include Rynok Square with the Lviv Town Hall, Armenian Cathedral, Orthodox Cathedral, Dominican Church of Corpus Christi, Chapel of the Boim family, Korniakt Palace, Latin Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Lviv has a fusion of various architectural styles formed at different periods. There, you can find many buildings in renaissance, baroque and the classic styles. However, most of its gothic-style buildings were ruined after the fires of 1527 and 1556.

The city has a rich history concerned with the history of other countries. Lviv was founded in 1256 by Danylo Halytskyy, a prince of the Galicia-Volhynia, in honor of his son Lev. During the reign of Lev Lviv became the capital city of the Galician-Volhynian Kingdom.

Lviv is the cultural capital of Ukraine. The Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet, also known as Lviv Opera House, is the most amazing and recognizable building of the city. Opened in October 1900, it became one of the best theaters of the world.

Every year Lviv hosts great number of festivals - more than hundred. Most of them are annual festivals. They are jazz festivals, ethno festivals, books festivals, street theatre festivals, street food festivals, feasts of chocolate and coffee or donuts. The greatest number of festivals is in January : “Sparkling of the Christmas Star”, Lvivian Carol”, “Ukrainian Donuts Feast”, “The Stargazers Parade” and others.

Lviv is the heart place of cultural nation-wide ceremonies of Ukraine, such as Interseasonal Salon of National Commonwealth of artists, International Forum of Publishers, current exhibitions of Modern Art – pictorial art, sculpture, graphic art, installation art.

It is a music city. This is the place where the legendary band “Ocean Elzy” springs from. This is the place of origin of such bands as “Skryabin”, “Plach Yeremiyi”, Gadyukiny Brothers, Ruslana Lyzhychko (the winner of Eurovision 2004) and many others.

Lviv is also a city of writers, publishers and readers, with half of the population registered with one of the city’s 174 libraries. Since 2006 the Lviv International Festival of Literature has developed communication between Ukrainian and foreign writers, attracting over 60,000 visitors.

The city is very touristic. It has developed infrastructure – hotels, restaurants, cafes, coffee houses and free WI-Fi zones. Many tourists visit the city every year. Lots of people speak Polish and English. There are excursions, walking tours, bus tours and many other attractions to fit everyone’s interests.

“The greatest thing that “ties” a person to the feelings is smell. And Lviv has conserved it. It smells of coffee and ancient walls”. Olexandr Filz (behavioral therapist)

There is much to tell about this great city, but the best way to get acquainted with it is to see it with your own eyes. Lviv is really worth a visit! Welcome…