Lviv in Sports and Recreation

Its world recognition Lviv has gained in the field of sports. Well-known Kart chess school has educated such professionals as Martha Litynska, Oleh Romanyshyn, Yuriy Bilyavskyy, Adrian Mykhalchyshyn, Vasyl Ivanchuk.

The first steps of the Olympic ladder were taken here by Pavlo Lednyov, Bohdan Makuts, Viktor Chukarin, Vasyl Bereza, Mykhaylo Slivinskyy, Rostyslav Zaulichnyy, Myron Krokhmalnyy, Valeriy Brumel, Ihor Ter-Ovanesyan, Vasyl Stankovych, Yaroslav Dumanskyy, Oleh Luzhnyy, Hryhoriy Batych. Fedir Kulechkos tennis school is considered one of the oldest in Ukraine. Its followers won first prizes in prestigious European competitions. Larysa Savchenko, the most outstanding former Lvivite in the world tennis took part in Wimbledon tournament.

Today Karpaty football club plays in the major league. Local stadium Ukraine hosted elimination matches for the European Football Championship. Basketball team Lviv Polytechnics plays in the major league of Ukraine. Tangible results have been gained by handball teams Halychanka female team and SKA male team. Several championship and international competition awards were granted to water-polo players from Dynamo. After capital reconstructions Lviv race track, one of the most advanced in Europe, welcomes horse races again.

Lviv architectural face is complemented and enriched with numerous squares, parks, and public gardens. There are over 20 basic recreation park zones in Lviv. They offer a splendid chance to escape from city life or simply sit for a while among the trees, at a nice fountain or a lake. Each park has its individual character which reflects through various monuments and their individual history.

IVAN FRANKO PARK
Universytetska Str., Lystopadovoho Chynu Str.
One of the oldest parks in Lviv. In the 16th century its territory used to belong to the Sholts-Wolfovych family, and from the beginning of the 17th century to the Jesuits. Traces of that time may be found in three- hundred-year-old oak and maple trees. Upon the abrogation of the Jesuit order in 1773 the territory became the town property. A well-known gardener Bager arranged the territory in the landscape style, and most of trees were planted within 18851890. In 1930-ies the park was named after T. Kostyushko. After World War II it was renamed after I. Franko. In the center of the park you will find the only arbour which managed to survive out of several dozens. Since 1964 a granite monument to I. Franko faces the Ivan Franko National University. The park covers the territory of 14 hectares.

BOHDAN KHMELNYTSKYY CULTURE AND RECREATION PARK
Vitovskoho Str.
The park was founded in the 1950-ies and occupied the territory of 20 hectares. It is meant for recreation. Today it is one of the best organized and modern green zones containing a concert and dance hall Romantic, stadium Youth, the town of attractions, central stage, numerous cafes and restaurants. During the year and especially in springtime and summertime city celebrations are held here, artistic report performances of amateur ensembles, folk holidays, discos, and sport competitions. The only town of attractions available in Lviv will offer you a splendid view from the Ferris wheel. The park entrance is arched with colonnades.

STRYYSKYY PARK
Parkova Str. (1 entrance), Stryyska Str. (3 entrances)
It is considered one of the most picturesque parks in Ukraine. It was designed by an outstanding park architect Arnold Rering in 187677. In 1894 the Regional Exhibition was held here. Plenty of fair stands were built here for this aim. The park numbers over 200 species of trees and plants. It is well-known for a vast collection of rare and valuable trees and bushes. At the main entrance gate you will find a pond with swans. The main park entrance is decorated with a wonderful arch designed under G. Shvetsky-Venetskys project in 1952. Territory of the park covers 58 hectares.

ZNESINNYA PARK
Lychakivska Str., M. Kryvonosa Str. (Shevchenkivskyy Hay, 1 Chernecha Hora Str.)
It is one of Lviv centers for recreation and relaxation. The park is known for the beauty of its nature and its historical monuments. Officially it was founded in 1980 and was used for training for 1980 Winter Olympics. Its an ideal site for cycling, skiing sports, and hiking. Public organizations favor conducting summer camps here (ecological and educational, educational and cognitive). Among the participants of the camps one could find Ukrainian youth and their peers from other countries. Traditional event Pure Ukraine
pure Earth is traditionally held at the territory of the park. The event came from Poland, yet originated from Australia. From many spots here you can view gorgeous landscapes the ideal escape from city rush.

SHEVCHENKIVSKYYI HAY
1 Chernecha Hora Str.
The one who is willing to dip deeper into the history can take a walk to the Museum of Folk Architecture and Household (Shevchenkivskyy Hay) a unique open air museum that has gathered the best collection of Ukrainian wooden architecture.

HIGH CASTLE PARK
M. Kryvonosa Str.
A picturesque park High Castle rises above the city with its greenery. It is located on Knyazha Hora (Prince Mountain) a favorite place of rest for Lvivites and city guests. No visit to Lviv is possible without a visit to the High Castle a platform, from where you can feast your eyes upon a splendid city view. Those going up the hill will inevitably pass on their way the remains of the castle wall which stood here in the epoch of king Danylo Halytskyy. The park is situated on the highest city hill and occupies the territory of 36 hectares consisting of the lower terrace once called Knyazha Hora, and the upper terrace with a television tower and artificial embankment. The park was opened in 1853. The embankment top reaches 413m over sea level.

CITADEL
Drahomanova Str., Kopernika Str.
It is situated in the city center. Citadel is an interesting monument for tourists. They say, Ukrainian partisans used to hide here during WW II, and even today you can still see the remnants of walls, destroyed by German firing.

ST. GEORGE CATHEDRAL GARDEN
Svyatoyurska Square (St. George Square)
The park is situated at the Cathedral foot, on the hill rising over the city. The cathedral outlines the tops and merges them on the horizon. The green tapestry stretches to the right of the cathedral, while the treetops emphasize its complex shapes.

ZALIZNI VODY PARK
V. Stusa Str.
The park originated from the former garden Zalizna Voda (Iron water) combining Snopkinska Street with Novyy Lviv. The park was founded in 1905 and covers the territory of 19.5 hectares. The park owes its name to the springs with high iron concentration. This beautiful park with ancient beech trees and numerous paths is a favorite place of many Lvivites.

SNOPKIVSKYY PARK
Zelena Str., V. Stusa Str.
The park was founded in 1958 and actually contains The Ukraine Stadium. The sports area is constructed for 50-thousand people and has recently been reconstructed according to the European standards. A professional football ground of the high league Karpaty is located here.

POHULYANKA
Vakhnyanyna Str.
Founded in 1930, in the complex landscape hilly conditions, ravines, and flat terraces. Competitions in mountain cycling for Comanche cup are held here. The park name originates from the collocation to take a walk, which in Ukrainian has two meanings: to have a walk and to have fun.

LYCHAKIVSKYY PARK
Lychakivska Str., Pasichna Str., 44 Cheremshyny Str.
Founded in 1892 and named after the surrounding suburbs. This park offers a view of Western Lviv. It contains a monument dedicated to the 20th century war victims and a monument to Bartosz Glawacki,
Polish national hero. You find a black pine-tree here, a birch tree, and a chestnut tree here. A botanic garden is situated on the park territory, founded in 1911 and occupying the territory of 18.5 hectares.

BRYUKHOVYCHI FOREST
Shevchenka Str., Zamarstynivska Str.
A forest for recreation constituting a part of the green zone surrounding Lviv. Situated in the north western part of Lviv. The total area of 3201 hectares is taken by pine and beech trees. There is also a lake in the middle of the forest.

VYNNYKY FOREST
Lychakiska Str. (10 km away from the city center)
The home of the Chortova Hora (Devil Mountain) and a mountaineering site for the bravest. Not fat from the Chortova Hora you will open a beautiful view of the northern Lviv.

KORTUMOVA HILL
Tunelna Str.
Surrounded by dwelling houses this hill is not easily accessible. Those who would like to see the north-eastern part of the Lviv scenery and climb Kortumova Hill will not be disappointed. It is the perfect place for walking tourism.