Anyone who was born in Lviv, used to live there or ever visited Lviv dreams of coming back here again. Even though in thoughts, to cherish, and rejoice, to love and get excited. Anyone departing from Lviv pines for it, leaving unforgettable impressions and recollections.

Lviv… Where’s the secret of its lure, what lies in the heart of its uniqueness? We strive to reveal the secret of Lviv, to figure out its mystery. The one who manages to discover it finds happiness. But who is going to do it?

The phenomenon of Lviv attracts with incredible power. Bells and silence, city walls and Lviv rain know more about the city than any human, while hundreds of stony lions are guarding its heart day and night.

Anyone not indifferent to beauty and eager to discover the new and the mysterious is welcome to Lviv and welcome to fall in love with it!

THE PAST AND THE FUTURE

Lviv is an old and picturesque city, a spiritual capital of Ukraine, the key political, economic, cultural, and scientific center of Western Ukraine.

Lviv is a large regional center. It covers the territory of 155 square km. Its population is 757 thousand people, ethnically mostly Ukrainians, however traditionally also Polish, Jews, Greeks, Germans, Russians, Armenians, Czechs and representatives of other nations.

The city is located in the highlands of Roztochchya where the main European watershed runs separating the rivers of the Baltic and Black Sea basins. Whatever way you reach the city, its most explicit characteristics will be the Castle Mountain which is seen from afar. The High Castle standing on this hill within XIV XVIII centuries gave name to the mountain. It was the Castle Hill that gave rise to the city. Today remnants of the walls dating back to the princedom epoch are found here. A beautiful view of the city with its old quarters and modern buildings, church domes and Roman church broach spires opens before you eyes from the height of over 400 m above sea level. Lviv was founded by Danylo Romanovych, the prince of Halychyna and Volyn, in the middle of the 13th century at the ancient settlement site and was named after Lev, Danylos son. The first historic written reference of Lviv is dated back to 1256. Within the Kingdom of Halychyna and Volyn period the town grew into the center of economic and cultural life in the region. Architects, skilled craftsmen and merchants would come by trade arteries from Western Europe to the Eastern countries, and from the Baltic region to the Black Sea and Byzantium. The town of hospitable and sincere Ukrainians became sweet home for many of them. In the 14th Lviv was conquered by Kazimierz III, the Polish King. For a few centuries Halychyna gets under the rule of Poland. Within a short period (1370 1378) the town is under the Hungarian crown.

In 1356 Lviv is granted the Magdeburg right and acquired the status of self-governing town which contributed significantly to its development. Crafts are developed and guilds founded, churches erected and exuberant houses constructed. Following the division of Poland in 1772 Halychy- na enters Austria. Intensive industry development falls for the second half of the 19th century. This is the time of establishing railroads, tram lines, gas illumination followed by electric illumination. New city quarters are built, theatres, hotels, banks rise, public organiza- tions are established. In 1870 Halychyna is awarded the status of autonomy. Collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire which resulted from World War I enabled the constituent countries to gain independence. On November 1, 1918 the Western Ukrainian Peoples Republic is declared in Lviv. The newly established state only manages to exist a few months. After the Ukrainian The monument to King Polish war the city gets again under the Polish power.

In 1939 Western Ukraine becomes a member of the USSR. The advent of the Soviet army brings the city cruel civic repression. 19411944 are the years of the Nazi German occupation. Troops of Ukrainian patriots are to conduct unequal struggle both against the Nazi and the communists during World War II. In 1944 Lviv becomes a part of the Soviet Ukraine. At the sunset of the second millennium, in the 80-ies, like through all history, Lviv played the leading part in struggle for independence and democracy, standing out for the time-honored traditions of the Kyiv Rus and the Kingdom of Halychyna and Volyn. At the dawn of the establishment of the Independent state and the introduction of national symbols the blue-and-yellow flag was first raised in the Lviv sky, from where it spread to all Ukrainian cities. Declaration of Ukrainian independence on August 24, 1991 laid down the beginning of the new epoch in the history of the Ukrainian state and Lviv in particular. More than one generation took pride in this wondrous town, for it became the unconquerable stronghold of the Ukrainian tradition and a heritage of the national culture.

Lviv is kind of created for poets, artists, musicians and tourists admirers of the beautiful, for the city itself is like a legend, like a song. Lviv is a city of the time-honored history, versatile culture, high art, well-developed science, education, sports, industry, as well as a city of open and industrious people. Architectural monuments and archeological relics, museums and galleries, theaters and concert halls, national traditions and rites, business activities and convenient communications all this makes Lviv a tourist center. The city with unique monuments, located in the region of rare pure ecologic climate conditions, claims to be awarded the status of the tourist world center. Despite the 20th century cataclysms, Lviv cultu ral, historic and spiritual heritage has preserved much better than in any other regions of Ukraine. It is not only to be saved for future generations, but to be used as a significant tourist resource as well. It is in Lviv where you can participate in the revived traditions of generations and experience the feeling of integrity and common thinking with them. This is Lvivs peculiarity enticing tourists. The culture of the past and present against the background of the authentic architectural ensemble shape the tourist product Lviv can offer. Tourism in Lviv is an unmatched network of possibilities. The place of Lviv in the world tourist process stands out with cultural and cognitive, business, religious, sentimental, scientific tourism, along with tourism for sports and recreation. Amiable and open-hearted hosts welcome anyone eager to have a rest and get to learn this beautiful and unique city closer.

Business and Exhibition Lviv

Interest in visiting Lviv on business is boosted by its attractiveness as a tourist center. Closely combining well-developed industrial and scientific and technical potential with unique culture and art Lviv has become an outstanding center for business. It was not incidentally that the Sixth Summit of the Summit Presidents of Central and Eastern Europe took place in Lviv in May 1999. Lvivs location near the borders of the Central and South-Eastern European states at the crossroads of transit international motorways, railroads, and airlines plays an important part in developing foreign economic activities. Production capacities and qualified staff, high class manufacturing culture attract wide circle of home and foreign business men. Lviv companies deal with trade partners from over 100 world countries. Economic potential of Lviv is definitely worth mentioning. There are over 219 big industrial companies of different forms of property, over 40 commercial banks, 4 stock exchange markets, 13 investment companies, 80 insurance organizations, 24 leasing companies, 77 auditing firms. About 9 thousand small scale business companies operate here, most of them concentrated in the field of wholesale and retail, operations with real estate, hotel and restaurant business. Lviv occupies a leading place in Ukraine in production of certain kinds, in particular fork-lifts, electric lamps, buses, confectionery, yeast. Among industry branches the most significant part falls for food and light industries, mechanical engineering and metal processing, pharmaceutical, chemical and petrochemical industries. The leading companies to mention here are JSC Lviv Fat Industrial Complex, JSC Lviv Brewery, JSC Lviv Confectionery Company Svitoch, JSC Lviv Kholodkombinat, JSC ENZYME, JSC Mayak, Joint Ukrainian-Swiss JSC Vesna, JSC Halychpharm, State Company Lvivdialik, JSC Lviv Chemical Plant, JSC Iskra.

The city enforces much ffort to improve transport infrastructure, telecommunications, business infrastructure, hotel service, services area. Successful development of numerous fields of city economic life provided fruitful ground for drawing both home and foreign investments. Lviv is a reliable partner in business relations with known strategic investors nd leading The Lviv Palace of Arts world financing institutions.

Active business environment development is enhanced by running business fairs and exhibitions in Lviv. Lviv fair traditions enjoy rich and glorious history. Fair traditions in Lviv date back to the 19th century when Lviv was justly considered one of the biggest fair centers. Early in the 20th century the Eastern Fair was gaining popularity in Europe. In 1923 Lviv became one of the twenty cities-founders of the European Association of Fair Organizers. Today Lviv is one of five leading exhibition centers of Ukraine. Annual number of international exhibitions and fairs of various specialization held in Lviv reaches over 20. Special place among Lviv exhibitions is taken by the Investment Fair within the International Economic Forum on Cross-Border Cooperation. Book The Publischers Forum fair is held annually in Lviv, which is considered the most popular one of its kind in Ukraine. The leading fair organizers are JSC HalExpo, exhibition bureau Expo-Business Service, Lviv Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Publishers Forum. Lviv exhibitions and forums became important means of promoting the city as a strong industrial, cultural and tourist European center.

Architectural monuments of Lviv, their peculiar beauty are not only special in our art, but also in world art. This intertwining of eastern, western cultures and Ukrainian folk art, the artistic ensemble testifying to high and noble soul of the nation, exquisiteness of its tastes and customs. Unique character of the city stays in congruence with variety of cultural traditions, styles of different epochs ranging from the 13th to the 20th centuries Renaissance, Roman style, Gothicism, Baroque, Rococo, Empire, Classicism, Constructivism, and Secession.

The age imparts beauty to Lviv. Along with a new constructive building you can see an ancient tower or the remnants of a medieval wall. Next to the constructions dating back to the Old Rus period (St. Nicholas Church and John the Baptist Church) you will hardly leave unnoticed the masterpiece of the Renaissance architecture the Assumption Church complex and the Ensemble of the Rynok Square, Gothic Arches of Ensemble the Latin Cathedral, the exquisite Baroque of St. George Cathedral and the world-known building of the 20th century Lviv Opera House.

Lviv is one of the richest Ukrainian cities in terms of a number and significance of historical, architectural, and cultural monuments their number reaches over 2000. On December 2, 1998 at the sitting of UNESCO 22nd session in Kyoto the Ensemble of Lviv Historic Center was included in the World culture heritage list.

To tackle the problems of the ancient city the Government of Ukraine adopted a Complex project of preservation of Lviv historical buildings in 1997 which presumes a special status of Lviv as a monument city. In order to engage the public and donators in preservation and restoration of architectural monuments a Charitable Fund of Lviv Historical and Architectural Heritage preservation was founded in 2000.

We have not enough information on what the city looked like at the dawn of its foundation, but it probably must have looked like other fortified settlements in Rus. Researchers believe, the lower hill must have been occupied by a fortress with a prince palace. At the foot of the mountain, in the Poltva river valley (today Pidzamche district) a city spread with craftsmens, merchants houses, trace and public council squares, and churches. This oldest part of the city many times used to serve the scene of fierce fights, it was destroyed with fires, especially after the city center was moved to a new place, todays Rynok Square, and Pidzamche became a suburb almost devoid of any protection against hostile attacks.

Almost no buildings dating back to the Princedom epoch have preserved intact. Apart from the fragments of the High Castle fortifications, St. Nicholas Church is the oldest stone construction which used to stand on the Volynskyi way. The reference of it is mentioned in Prince Levs deed in 1292. The church would belong to the Levs family. Its structure resembles a public cathedral: small entrance door and windows, thick walls which enabled the building to serve as a protection against the enemy. Its modern look the church acquired in the first half of the 17th century.

In the vicinity of the church you will find John the Baptist Church which was built in 1260 for Constance, Prince Levs wife, daughter of Bela IV, Hungarian King. Several times the building was destroyed, then recovered, and in 1886 it was reconstructed in the Roman style. Both sanctuaries were built in the Old Rus style with regard to the peculiarities of Byzantine architecture.
Late in the 13th century the Armenians built St. Ann Church (it hasnt preserved till today), while the German community of the city constructed the Roman Catholic Maria Snizhna Church, which is considered the oldest church in Lviv. Its modern look the church acquired due to the restoration in the 19th century.

The history of the church and the monastery of St. Onufriy dates from the Princedom times. They take a meaningful place in the history of the Ukrainian culture. The icon wall is the most outstanding church decoration. Ivan Fedorov founded a printing house in this monastery in 1573. In 1564 he published “Apostol” – the first printed book in Ukraine.

The same monastery became his place of eternal rest. Both sides of the Volynskyy Way the main town street at that time abounded in wooden architectural buildings, like St. Theodore, Resurrection, St. Michael Ukrainian churches, along with St. Jacob and St. Christ Armenian Churches. However, they havent preserved till today.

The princely Lviv was one of the richest towns in Rus. The town territory was well fortified. However, frequent inroads of Mongol-and-Tatar hordes under- mined the strength of the Principality of Halychyna and Volyn. In the second half of the 16th century the town was subordinated by the Polish Kingdom and for six centuries was left to stand the burden of the foreign rule. This is the time when a new town arises in the southern part of the old princely town, fortified with towers and walls of stone, with buildings, central square, and the town council.
Remnants of the Kings Armory, Town Armory and the Gunpowder Tower are all that is left from the defensive buildings. Stones from the original Armory were partly used in the construction of this tower (1554 1556). This building was a part of the fortification system and stood on the rampart, behind the second wall ring and the ditch and served to defend the town from the east. In war days it served as a fortress and food store-house, in peaceful time as a warehouse for the goods transported through Lviv.

The High Castle, erected on the Princes Hill, was a true town guard. The castle was first carried by assault by Zaporizhzhya Cossacks under the leadership of colonel Maksym Kryvonis during the Liberation War of the Ukrainian people in 1648. Early in the 18th century it was taken by the troops of Charles XII, the Swedish King. The second half of the 18th century was the beginning of the fortresss demolishment, only a wall fragment is left.

The architectural ensemble of the Rynok Square takes a special place in Lvivs architecture. Almost rectangular square is surrounded from four sides by 44 houses, various in epochs and style (Renaissance, Baroque, and Empire). Basements and ground floors Fragment of many buildings still bear traces of gothic architecture of the 15th16th centuries referring to various styles.

Here on the same square you can see Bandinellis palace, where the first town post office was held, Kornyakts palace, which in the late 17th century was owned by Jan II Sobieski, the Polish King. Today it is Lviv Historical Museum, where you can often listen to concerts of classical and old music in the Italian courtyard and king halls. You will also find the museum-drugstore, which has been running without respite for over 250 years. The center of the square is crowned by the Town Hall which used to be rebuilt a couple of times in the course of centuries. The first Town Hall building was laid down by Prince Volodyslav Opolskyi. It would burn down several times. The Town Hall building was topped by a 58 meters high old tower. Already in 1404 the city tower had a clock on it. The one striking hours today was made in 1851 in Vienna. Its present look the city council building acquired in the second half of the 19th century. During 1848 revolution the city council was set on fire and the dome with the old clock fell down. It was rebuilt in 3 years, however left without a dome. Lvivites and guests of the city have an opportunity to feast their eyes upon the view of the ancient town. Unique beauty of the square emerges in the statues surrounding it at the corners that arose two hundred years ago (sculptor G.Vitver). These are four Empire fountains of the beginning of XIX century in Rynok Square with figures of Ancient mythology characters Neptune, Diane, Adonis, and Amphitrite.

In about 1360 Latin Cathedral was laid down next to the Rynok Square. Construction lasted almost 100 years. The cathedral shows severe and simple gothic features, remaining at the same time monumental and lofty. The altar part has been left almost intact till today. In the 16th17th a number of chapels grew around the cathedral.

Besides the Latin Cathedral two more architectural monuments were built in the 14th century St. George Cathedral and the Armenian Cathedral. St. George Church has not preserved till today. The Armenian Cathedral was constructed between 1370 and 1390. The church was built according to the Armenian temple pattern, however it was influenced by the Roman and Gothic architecture of the Western Europe and to a great extent by the old Rus Halychan architectural borwings.

The monastery courtyard keeps a splendid gallery with ornamented columns and rare stone carvings of that epoch. The yard column with St. Christophers figure arising on it bears a particular artistic value. The ensemble comprises the church, the building of the former nunnery, and the archbishops palace. Massive 140-cm thick walls, erected of chipped stone, are faced with stone plates both from inside and outside. The cupola construction is unique it rests on the edges constructed of clay pots.

In 1527 Lviv suffered a fire which spread not only to the middle part of the town, but also to its suburbs Pidzamche, Znesennya. Only the city tower managed to survive, while the fire devoured the Armenian Cathedral, the walls of Latin Cathedral. Citizens would rush to leave the town, but still remained. Lviv was revived in a comparatively short period of time. Few monuments of Gothic architecture have preserved in Lviv: Roman-Catholic churches of John the Baptist, Maria Snizhna, Latin Cathedral and fragments of livings quarters, esp. in the Rynok Square.

Beginning with the middle of the 16th century tendencies of the Renaissance culture start to opermeate all spheres of Lviv life (2nd half of the 16th first half of the 17th cc.). The proud of Lviv found its quintessence in the construction of the famous Renaissance ensemble of the Assumption Church consisting of three monuments: the Church of Virgin Marys Assumption, the three Prelates Chapel, and Kornyakt Bell-tower. This ensemble was constructed at the place of the first princely orthodox Assumption Church in the classical style of the Ukrainian wooden temples exciting with festivity and lyrical nature, so typical of the national Ukrainian character. The 66 m-high tower is considered to be the best looking city bell-tower. One of its bells Kyrylo is 2 m wide in diameter and weighs 4 tons. The Assumption Church Ensemble is one of the most explicit expressions of the Ukrainian ingenious creativity, a beautiful building of the Renaissance epoch.

Not far from the building one could see a construction which by its exceptional artistic value used to belong to Lviv architectural masterpieces. We are talking about the synagogue Golden Rose, built in 1582. It combines the gothic features with those of Renaissance. In 1942 the building was destructed, only a part of the northern wall is left.

The Renaissance architecture of Lviv is supplemented with two more masterpieces: the Chapel of Kapyans (1619) and the Chapel of Boims (1609-1617). These used to serve as mausoleums of their kind burial vaults for the rich city citizens. The chapels impress with the variety of sculptures, stone carving, relieves, detailed Evangelic scenes. The Chapel of Boims is decorated with carvings on white stone representing the history of Christs sufferings. The chapel is crowned with a cupola with a figure of sitting Jesus Christ in the Gethsemane.

The Kapians Chapel is decorated from outside with carved plates, also depicting Evangelic scenes. Fresco portraying Mary with Christ adorns the eastern side of the chapel. Busts of Paul and Martin Capians are located inside.

Beginning with the 30-ies of the 17th up to the second half of the 18th century Baroque shapes dominate in Lviv architecture. Jesuits church became the first baroque building in Lviv (1610-1630). It is one of the largest temples in Lviv. The thick walls of the church used to harbor the Jesuits Collegium, and later the Academy. St. Maria Church was kept in the same style, constructed for the Barefooted Carmelites nunnery.

Construction works reaches its heyday in the first half of the 17th century. For the most part these are suburban buildings. In 1615-1639 St. Magdalena wooden church was substituted by its stone descendant an explicit example of the early XVII century baroque. Today the church serves as a concert hall of chamber and organ music. In the vicinity of St. Magdalena Church you can find St. Lazarus Church. Deprived of redundant decorations, strict in its simplicity, the church resembles a fortress.

Ukrainian brotherhoods slow down their construction works in the first half of the 17th century. However, in the face of the Liberation War of the Ukrainian people a building was erected to become the true decoration of Pidzamche, a pearl of Lviv architecture. This is Pyatnytska Church, which was built in 1643-1644 at the place of the old 13th century church at the cost of Moldavian voevodes.It was erected by the Ukrainian brotherhood at the place of the old 13th century church. The interior contains an icon wall which is considered to be a unique monument of the Ukrainian art. It belongs to the brush and chisel of Lviv painters and wood carvers and consists of seventy icons. It is a vivid combination of fine art and decorative carving.

Another interesting architectural ensemble arises as the Benedictines Nunnery, which was laid down in 1595. Situated behind the city walls, the church with the nunnery have shaped a separate defense structure.

The Bernadine Monastery complex (today St. Andrew Pervozvannyy Church) used to make a separate fortification unit consisting of the church, the monastery buildings, the bell tower, the rotunda over the well, defense walls and the decorative column. It used to be located behind the city walls and had independent defense fortifications, the relics of which have preserved till nowadays. The Bernardine Monastery is an example of the 17th centuries Renaissance architecture.

The second half of the 17th century was overfilled with dramatic events battles, sieges. Only a few simple churches arose, among which are St. Kazimierz Church and St. Laurence Church. Peter and Paul Church was built in 1660 as a wayside chapel with a baroque façade and a gothic tower. The church had its own monastery.

Among the unique monuments of late baroque architecture of XVIII c. one should mention St. George Cathedral and the Dominican Cathedral which stand out in their magnitude and beauty. It is in these two masterpieces that Lviv architecture reached its height.

St. George Cathedral was built in the 18th century in the flavor of the Byzantine tradition. The ensemble contains the church, the bell tower, the capital, the Metropolitan chambers and the garden. None of the city buildings has got this combination of decorative carving and architecture. Particularly picturesque is the terrace surrounding the church. This is the basic sanctuary of the Greek-Catholic Church, the residence of its Metropolitans. It is here that Sylvester Sembratovych, Andrey Sheptytskyy, Yosyf Slipyi, Myroslav-Ivan Lyubachivskyy would conduct Holy Services. The metropolitan rooms used to serve as a rest place for Joan Paul II, the Roman Pope, during his visit to Lviv in 2001.

In 1772 Lviv was rendered a part of the Austro Hungarian Empire and within one and a half centuries completed another page in its history, architecture, and culture.

Fortifications lost their defensive character. The gates were pulled down, fortifications and defense towers dismantled. The Austrian epoch represents construction of living quarters, administrative and social buildings.

Beginning with the 1780-ies and well into the middle of the 19th century Lviv architecture takes the direction of classicism. Classic style is brought to Lviv from the central Europe. Its characteristic representative is building No.4 in Krakivska Street. Classicism lasted into Empire style which told on decorative motifs on the buildings façades in Krakivska, Virmenska, and Teatralna streets. In Virmenska street you will find some unique Empire relieves decorating buildings No. 21, 23 (frieze with star signs, scenes Seasons etc.). The most perfect monuments of Classicism are represented by the building of the Scientific Library in Stefanyka Street, the Natural History Museum, new Town Hall building, and the Potocki Palace. The Potocki Palace was originally built by the Potocki family on the marshland as a hunting house. Classicism culminates in the building of the Ukrainian Drama Theatre named after M. Zankovetska.

The architecture of the first half of the 19th century was characterized by the congruity of style, harmonious combination of constructive shapes and sculpture. This kind of style integrity was not any longer typical of the second half of this century.

In the end of the first half of the 19th century Classicism in the architecture comes to its end and gives a rise to clecticism. It lasted well into the late 19th century and left tangible traces in the city architecture. Eclecticism extensively employed Gothicism, Renaissance, and other styles. The imitation of the architecture of the past in combination with freshmeans resulted in vivid examples of that epoch. Some beautiful samples to mention here are the core buildings of the National University Lviv Polytechnics, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ivan Franko Opera and Ballet Theater. The pediment of the National University Lviv Polytechnics is decorated with an allegoric group symbols of engineering, construction, and mechanics. Particularly lofty looks the central building façade of the Ivan Franko National University, which is decorated with allegoric figures of Halychyna, the Dniester, the Vistula, the Education, and the Labour. The House of Scholars (former casino) was constructed in 1898 to keep up the late Baroque tradition.
The Opera House is built next to the Poltva river bed. This location was dictated by the architectural ensemble. This building is a mixture of various architectural styles of European countries. The theatre building is rich in the Renaissance and Baroque imagery, copper figures it abounds in statues and paintings. The façade is adorned with the figures of Comedy and Tragedy.
tectural styles of European countries. The theatre building is rich in the Renaissance and Baroque imagery, it abounds in statues and paintings. The façade is adorned with the figures of Comedy and Tragedy. The pediment is crowned with three winged copper figures: Glory, in the center, with an olive branch, the Genius of drama and comedy on her left, and the Genius of music on her right. The interior is decorated with multicolor marble, gilding, wall paintings, and sculpture. A decorative curtain called Parnassus is a pride of the stage.

Characteristic monuments of Lviv architecture of The Cupola of the Museum of the late 19th century are buildings in Svobody Avenue. Ethnography and Art Crafts The Museum of Ethnography and Art Crafts was built building in 1891. You will see a well-known sculpture group symbolizing the heyday of Halychyna, right at the façade top, next to the cupola. The former Sapyehs Palace is built in French Baroque style (today it is occupied by the regional society of monuments protection).

The George Hotel building is built in Renaissance style in 1901. Its sculptural decorations include allegoric figures symbolizing Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. The façade is crowned with St. George killing the dragon bas-relief.

The Main Railway Station of Lviv was constructed in 1904. The central entrance niches hide the statues symbolizing industry and commerce.

Old style following got widely spread in Lviv. As a representative on the neo-gothic style St. Elizabeth church was built early in the 20th century (Pryvokzalna square) to recreate the gothic purity and convey its character.

Out of all eclectic buildings one should mention the Transfiguration church. It was built in 1900 on the foundation of the former Trinitarian monastery of the 17th18th centuries in the spirit of the Ukrainian national traditions.

The 20th century architecture shows vivid attraction to fresh styles Modern and Constructivism. In Lviv this style received a particular Vienna flavor of the so-called Secession. This style got expressed in the Philharmonic building with secession elements on the façade and in the concert hall. Modern principles were intertwined with folk art elements, folk ornaments were introduced into façade decoration. Such is the case with insurance societys building Dnister, the scientific library, the M. Lysenko Higher Musical Institute (present building of the musical college), the House for the Ukrainian Pedagogic Society (present building of the Forestry Engineering University of Lviv).

Lviv historical and architectural monuments make a group of unique masterpieces of Lviv architecture. Though they were built by non-native architects who brought some set traditions of the construction culture, they still attained typical Lviv character. You may try as you might and trace analogies with the European architecture, you will hardly find any exact one. The art of architecture has always been highly developed in Lviv. It would elaborate its own stylistic features which firmly incorporated traditions of the Old Rus and the beautiful art of folk architects of Halychyna.

Year by year Lviv is growing, expanding beyond its suburbs, reaching the sky with high-rise buildings. Time opens wide prospects facing the city, brings fresh changes for the better. While building new things, lvivites strive to preserve the best things left by the centuries and past generations. First of all, these are architectural monuments, artistic heritage of the human genius which imparts a particular hint to the city, charging it with original and unique beauty.

As a city with time-honored heritage, Lviv is rich with museums over twenty. National Museum is a true pearl. It was founded on the initiative of the great staded metropolitan Andrey Sheptytskyy. The biggest world collection of Ukrainian icon paintings is found among its exhibits. Lviv Art gallery is known far beyond the borders of Ukraine. Walking up and down the picturesque hills of Shevchenkivskyy Hay you will hardly fail to notice the Folk Architecture and Household
Museum a unique open air museum offering the best collection of the samples of Ukrainian wooden architecture.

Artistic pallet of the modern Lviv is rich in talents. Lviv has preserved numerous interesting folk customs, traditions, legends, and crafts. You can find weaving centers here, the centers of embroidery, Ester eggs (pysanka) decoration, blacksmiths craft, ceramics, soft decorative glass, glass beads weaving workshops, centers of artistic metal and leather design etc. With a view to bringing back to life the blacksmith art traditional Ukrainian art, development of the modern Ukrainian art, modern metal and soft glass design, artistic project Blacksmith events is held along with the international festival Castle gates and the International Artistic Glass Symposium.

Todays life of Lviv abounds in various cultural and art events. These are modern art exhibitions, theatrical performances, concerts, different literary events, and traditional celebrations. The city is well-known for gifted artists, theater, musical ensembles. Today there are 9 theaters, philharmonics, Organ music concert hall, palaces of culture, cinema and concert complexes, concert and dancing halls, clubs, and a circus.

Further establishing itself as a city of European culture, Lviv is bearing new artistic pearls. Dramatic art is flourishing.

The history of theater in Lviv covers several centuries. First of them appeared at schools and collegiums Stauropigious, Dominican, and Jesuit. Professional Ukrainian Theater Ruska Besida staged its first performances in March 1864. The first theater building was opened in the first half of 19th century, sponsored by Skarbko. Today it is occupied by the M. Zankovetska National Drama Theater. Late in the 19th century the Academic Opera and Ballet House was built, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe. Paganini, Liest, Ravel, Zankovetska, Kurbas, Krushelnytska, Myshuha, Mentsynskyi, Didur, Batistini, Caruso, Delincioni used to perform at Lviv Theater stages. Today the Melpomena worshipers can choose to their liking anything they show interest in from Italian opera to the most challenging experiments of Les Kurbas and Voskresinnya theaters. In the autumn time the whole city turns into a theater capital hosting the International Theater Festival Golden Lion.

Cultural events of various styles and in different directions are held in Lviv. Among the most prominent musical events one should mention the Classical Music Festival of Virtuozy, Modern Music Festival Contrasts, S. Krushelnytska Opera Music Festival, Folklore Festivals In Halytskyy Circle and Horytsvit, Jazz Festival, Patriotic Song Festival Victory Trumpets, Choir Festivals. Mass public events are also held to celebrate national, political and folk holidays, in particular UPR and WUPR declaration anniversaries, Ukraines Independence Day and Constitution Adoption, St. Nicholas Day, City Day, Mothers Day, Tourism Day, T.H. Shevchenkos anniversary, twin cities culture days. During the time of Ukraines independence winter festival Christmas in Lviv has become highly popular among tourists. The festival is accompanied with exhibitions, concerts, competitions, performances, winter celebrations and other events.

Lviv is keeping old literary traditions. Numerous interesting authors work here today. Presentation of a new book or a literary project is always a significant event in Lviv. The S. Krushelnytska State Academic Opera and Ballet House 28 Svobody Avenue, tel. 72-86-72

The M. Zankovetska National Academic Ukrainian Drama Theater, 1 Lesi Ukrayinky Str., tel. 72-05-83

The First Ukrainian Theater for Children and Youth, 11 Hnatyuka Str., tel. 74-00-25

The Theatre Studio The People and the Puppets, 6 Fredra Str., tel. 74-00-25

The Les Kurbas Youth Theater, 3 Lesa Kurbasa Str., 79-86-57

The Lviv Spiritual Theater Voskresinnya, 5 Hryhorenka Str., tel. 74-11-60

The Drama Theater of the Western Operational Headquarters, 36 Horodotska Str., tel. 233-31-91

The Regional Puppet Show Theater, 1 Danyla Halytskoho Sruare, tel. 72-08-32

The Regional Philharmonics, 7 Chaykovskoho Str., tel. 72-10-42

The Organ and Chamber Music Hall, 8 Bandery Str., tel. 39-88-42

The Cinema Cinema Palace (Kinopalats), 22 Teatralna Str., tel. 97-50-50, 97-50-05

The Circus, 83 Horodotska Str., tel. 72-40-48

The Artes Gallery, 49 Brativ Rohatyntsiv Str., tel. 72-99-64

The Hnat Khotkevych City Culture Palace, 1 Kushevycha Str., tel. 52-27-45

The Creative Center of Children and Youth of Halychyna, 29 Vakhnyanyna Str., tel. 75-19-47

The Lviv State Regional Center of Folk Art and Cultural and Educational Work, 3 L. Kurbasa Str., tel. 74-20-68

The Lviv Folk Arts School for Children, 6 Antonenka-Davydovycha Str., tel. 221-11-36

The Lviv Scholars House, 6 Lystopadovoho Chynu Str., tel. 72-68-53

The Lviv City Coordination and Methodic Center Halychyna Youth, 16 V. Symonenka Str., tel. 63-01-07

The Ukrainian Book Center of the Prosvita Society, 34 V. Velykoho Str., tel. 40-21-46

Citizens of Lviv have always taken a keen interest in the global state issues. Through the long centuries, even in captivity Lviv would always cherish the hope for independence and determination to fight for it not only for itself, but for the whole Ukrainian people. Its look would always be turned towards Kyiv and the Dnieper, towards Vorskla and Donets. Half a century ago citizens of Halychyna took Shevchenkos muse for the prophecy welcoming the poet to every house. Finally after the communist disaster Shevchenko of bronze entered Lviv to stay here for good.

Lvivites actively impact the processes taking place in Ukraine generally. At the dawn of establishing the independent State it was in Lviv that national blue-and-yellow flag first took to the sky over the Ukrainian land, from where it spread to the rest of Ukraine. Bolshevist idols were also pulled down off their pedestals The monument here, in Lviv. It is also in Lviv high schools that the true history of Ukraine started to be taught, spreading to the rest of Ukraine. From 1873 and till today Lviv has been the center of the T.Shevchenko Scholarly Society that promotes and popularizes Ukrainian printed matter world over. It is here that Prosvita and The Union of Ukrainian Women revived. Also the first constituent Assembly of Ukrainian Narodnyy Rukh took place here. It is here that a traditional Ukrainian carol sounded in full voice calling out pupils from the East of Ukraine to celebrate Christmas in Lviv, where its been the second year that Kish society has displayed a unique copy of the Presvyata Pokrova Cossacks boat, which sailed over 12 thousand miles of seas and oceans beginning with 1992. It is here that you will find the Ukrainian music, theater, fine art, Ukrainian newspapers, book stores, and the Ukrainian language.

Traditionally Lviv is considered as a Western Ukrainian scientific and educational center. A considerable scientific potential is concentrated in the city: by the number of doctors of sciences, candidates of sciences, scientific organizations Lviv is the fourth city in Ukraine. The Western Scientific Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is situated here, which coordinates scientific and research activities of scientific and educational institutions at the territory of Lviv, Transcarpathian, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Rivne and Volyn regions.

Lviv is known for ancient academic traditions, founded by the Assumption Brotherhood School and the Jesuit Collegium. Over 100 thousand students study annually study in more than 20 higher educational establishments, among which one should mention The Ivan Franko National University of Lviv one of the oldest in Europe and the first one founded in Ukraine. Youth from all parts of Ukraine and many other countries floods to Lviv to receive education.

A constituent part of scientific and educational system is made by Lviv network of libraries, the largest of which are the Stefanyk Scientific Library of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, The Library of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, the Ukrainian Catholic University Library, the National University Lviv Polytechnics Library, the Regional General Scientific Library, the Regional Scientific and Medical Library, and the Regional Scientific and Pedagogical Library.

HIGHER EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS:

The S.Z. Hzhytskyy National Academy of Veterinary Medicine of Lviv, 50 Pekarska Str., tel. 98-68-89, fax: 98-68-90
The Ukrainian Printing Academy, 19 Pidholosko Str., tel. 59-94-01, fax: 59-94-19
The Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, 57 Chornovola Str., tel. 52-74-97, 52-33-83, fax: 97-88-36
The Lviv Academy of Arts, 38 Kubiyovycha Str., tel. 76-14-08, fax: 76-14-77
The M. V. Lysenko State Musical Academy of Lviv, 5 Nyzhankivskoho Str., tel. 74-31-06, fax: 72-36-13
The Lviv Academy of Commerce, 10 Tuhan-Baranovskoho Str., tel. 75-68-66, fax: 75-65-50
The University Lviv Stauropigion, 10 Sichovykh Striltsiv Str., tel, 75-52-95, fax: 97-10-38
The I.Franko National University of Lviv, 1 Universytetska Str., tel. 74-12-62, 97-16-68
The State Ukrainian Forestry Engineering University, 103 Henerala Chuprynky Str., 35-20-03, fax: 97-17-65
The National University Lviv Polytechnics, 12 St. Bandery Str., 72-47-33, fax: 72-56-80
The State Technical Railway University of Dnipropetrovsk (Lviv Department), 12a Ivana Blazhkevycha Str., tel. 74-84-68, fax: 67-99-74
The Danylo Halytskyy Naational Medical University of Lviv, 69 Pekarska Str., tel. 72-26-60, fax: 76-79-73
The State Agrarian University of Lviv, Dublyany, tel. (0322) 79-31-02, fax: 98-07-64
The Higher Educational Establishment Halytskyy Institute, 128 Lychakivska Str., tel. 75-46-03, 75-47-44, fax: 76-82-69
The Ukrainian Catholic University, 17 Il. Sventsitskoho Str., tel. 40-99-94
The Lviv Banking Institute of the National Bank of Ukraine, 9 Shevchenka Avenue, tel. 40-37-66, fax: 40-32-84
The Lviv State Institute of Finance and Economics, 3 Kopernika Str., tel. 72-40-54, fax: 72-66-52
The Lviv Institute of Fire Safety of the Ministry of Emergency Affairs of Ukraine, 35 Kleparivska Str., tel. 233-32-40, fax: 233-00-88
The Lviv State Institute of Physical Training, 11 T. Kostyushka Str., tel. 72-70-42
The Lviv Institute of Internal Affairs of the National Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, 26 Horodotska Str., tel. 78-28-64, fax: 233-24-34
The Lviv Regional Institute of State Administration of the Ukrainian Presidential Academy of State Administration, Bryukhovychi, 16 Sukhomlynskoho Str., fax: 59-33-85

]]> http://www.inlviv.info/travel/scientific-and-educational-lviv/feed/ 0 http://www.inlviv.info/travel/lviv-in-sports-and-recreation/ http://www.inlviv.info/travel/lviv-in-sports-and-recreation/#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:31:19 +0000 pavlo http://www.lviv.me.uk/?p=267 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 [...]

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