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UKRAINIAN TREASURE
LVIV - VALUABLE HERITAGE OF PAST CENTURIES

You say the word “palace” - and at once you see in your mind brilliant balls, princes with princesses, tender music of waltz... Pairs are turning around, crystal lusters are shining, eyes are burning, hearts are compressed in the feeling of coming happiness..Unfortunately pleasant aroma of historical romantics, petals of dreams, arabesques of fantasies - everything is in the past. And palace is in our heritage as a magical mirror of history... Lviv is absolute and total mirror of history of Ukraine…

Lviv (Львів in Ukrainian) is the city in the West of Ukraine with population of about 735 000 people, being in the content of Austria and Austrian Hungarian empire had the name of Lemberg.
The city is located on the river Poltva on the distance of 80 km from the border with Poland. It is an administrative center of Lviv region. First written mentioning about Lviv belong to 1256. It was founded by the prince Danylo Halytskiy, is named on behalf of his son Lev Danylovich. Historical center of the city is in the list of International UNESCO heritage.

Location

Lviv is located on the joint of Lviv uplands, hilly Rastochie and low Pobuzhzhya, approximately in 80 km from the border with Poland. The city is built on the hills; average height over the sea level is 289 m. The highest point of the city is barrow Vysokiy Zamok (High castle) (409 m over the sea level). Historically Lviv was built near the river Poltva.

There is a line of the main European water division that separates the rivers of Baltic and Balck Sea pools (Western Buh and Dnister, respectively).

Climate

Lviv climate is temperate continental. Average temperature in January is -4C and +18C in June. The annual level of precipitation is 66 centimeters with some deficiency of humidity in summer months. Cloudiness – 66% of days in the year. According to the meteorological data the highest temperature (+37C) was in September of 1921, the lowest (-35, 8C) – in February 1929.

History of Lviv

Early history

It was founded that there were settlements on the territory of Lviv starting from 5 century B.C. Later these lands perhaps were owned by the Great Moravia state. In the X century Kyivan Rus and Poland applied for these lands. According to the writings of Nestor in 981 there were conquered by Volodymyr the Great. First historical mentioning about Lviv is dating to 1256. According to the common version Lvov was founded in XVIII century by the prince Danylo Halystkiy who named it on behalf of his son. According to another version the city was founded by his son – Lev.
Regarding its convenient location on the cross of trading routes from the ports of Black Sea, Kyiv, Eastern and Western Europe, Byzantium and ports of Baltic sea, Lviv was growing very fast, and already in 1272 the capital of Halytsko-Volynske princedom was brought here.

Polish-Lithuanian state (Rzecz Pospolita)

In 1349 the Polish king Kazymyr III the Great caught Lviv and in 7 years in 1356 gave him “Magdeburg right”. This gave a strong push for the city development, and the great Armenian community of the city in 1363 found the Armenian metropolis and built a church. In 1370-1387 the city was in the content of Hungary. In 1379 the city got the right to have its own storages that increased the attractiveness of the city for the traders. In 1387 Lviv and surrounding lands were conquered by the army of Polish queen Yadviha.

In the content of Poland (and later Polish-Lithuanian state) Lviv became a capital of “Russian province” that consisted of five regions (starostva) with centres in the cities of Lviv, Kholm, Sanok, Halych and Przemysl. The city had the right to possess own storages that gave the possibility to get the great income from the goods transferred between the Black and Baltic Seas. During next centuries the population of the city grew very fast and soon Lviv became a multinational city with great amount of religions and important cultural, scientific and trading centre. City protection establishments were strengthened, and Lviv became one of the most important castles that protect Rzecz Pospolita from the Eastern South.

The city possessed at the same time the orthodox episcope and three arch episcopes: Rome-Catholic, Armenian –Catholic and Greek-Catholic (from 1700), as well simultaneously three Jewish communities: city, local and Caraimian. The city was filled by the great majority of the settlers from different countries: the German, the Jewish, the Italian, the English, the Scotish and many other nationalities.

1527 was famous for a large fire that caught almost all the city. In the first half of XVII century the city counted only 25-30 000 of people. There were more than 30 workshops here and 133 crafting professionals. In 1618 the city is mentioned in the works of German historians G.Brown, G.Gogemberger, S.Novellan.

In the content of Austria-Hungary

In 1772, after the First division of Poland Lviv became a capital of Austrian province – so called Princedom of Halytsia and Lodomeria. From 1772 till 1918 the city took the official name of Lemberg. The language after Lviv entrance into the content of Austria became German, and the majority of state posts obtained the German and the Czech. Hence the city remained to be important centre of Polish culture. In 1773 the first paper “Gazette de Leopoli” started to be in sale.

Start of Austria leading was pretty liberal. In 1784 emperor Iosif II reopened the University. The lectures were on several languages: Latin, German, Polish and (from 1786) “Rutenish” (literature language of local Russian population). Voycekh Boguslavskiy opened first communal theatre in 1794, and in 1811 appeared outstanding “Gazeta Lwowska” (“Lviv paper”), and in 1817 the Institute of the Ossolinski was founded. In the beginning of XIX century the city took the post of the head of Greek-Catholic church, arch episcope of Kyiv, Halytsia and Rus.

Hence at the beginning of XIX century the Austrian authorities started “germanization” of the city. In 1805 the University was closed, and hence in 1817 it was opened again, it was absolutely German establishment that had a specific influence on city life. Majority of other public and cultural establishments that were not pro-German were forbidden.

Severe laws that were dictated by the Gabsburg dynasty caused the flash of public discontent in 1848. The request to restore self-management of the city, studying on Polish and language of Rus was sent to the emperor.
The majority of these requests were satisfied only in many years: in 1861 the Halytskiy Parliament was formed, and in 1867 Halytsia obtained wide self-management, as cultural and economic. The lectures in the University were permitted to be held in Polish language. Halytsia became a single part of former Poland that obtained some cultural and political freedom. As a result Lviv became the main centre of Polish culture and politics. As well the city served as important centre of Halytsko-Russian and Ukrainian movements. At this time the other part of Ukriane was under the power of Russian empire, in which the publications in Russian were forbidden.

The city also had the right to delegate the representatives to the parliament of Viena that attracted the majority of outstanding figures of culture and politics. Lviv became a place of meeting fro the Polish, German, Jewish and Ukrainian cultures.

In 1853 Lviv scientists Ivan Zeg and Ignatiy Lukasevish found the way to obtain kerosene using distillery of oil, after what they improved the structure of lamp and got its first really safe variant. Regarding this investigation the same year in the Lviv hospital the first urgent surgery has been made under the kerosene lamps. From 1858 the city started to be lighted by the gas lamps, and from 1900 by the electricity lamps.

XX century. World War I

The population of Lviv in 1931

At the beginning of World War I the city was caught by the Russian army (September 1914) and till the 14 July 1915 was the center of Halytsia “general governance”, until the city was again conquered by the Austrians. Together with failure of Habsburg Empire at the end of World War I Ukrainian politicians proclaimed the city as a capital of Western Ukrainian people republic (WUPR).

Life of the city in 1920-30

Native language of the population of Lviv in 1931

After the signing of Riga peace agreement Lviv remained a Polish city. The city quickly returned the positions of one of the most important centers of science and culture in Poland. In 1928 professor of Lviv university Rudolf Vaigle found the vaccine against the typhus.

Using this link you can see a video “Jewish life in Lwow 1939” from the collection of Steven Spillberg

World War II

On the 1 September 1939 the army of Germany came to Poland. On the 12 September the German divisions reached the Lviv suburbs. On the 19 September the Polish army tried to carry out the contra attack, but it failed. The struggle continued till the Vermacht took its army out of the city. The struggles near Lviv were very strong. Difficult geography location, bogs and everyday rain gave many problems for the Soviet army. In addition the Germans took two divisions from Stanislav (current Ivano-Frankivsk). Soon the agreement of “Lviv transfer to the army of Soviet Union” was signed.

Soviet Lviv

Nationality content of Lviv in 1989

Regarding the fact that the main battle for Lviv took place in the Southern suburbs, the main mass of historical memorials, churches and buildings didn’t suffer.
After the war Lviv came to the content of Ukrainian Soviet Socialistic Republic. The majority of city Polish citizens came to the territory of Poland, mainly to its Western part, to previous German lands. At the same time all-Union budget provided 250 mln of rubley for the reconstruction and development of city culture. Thousands of highly qualified specialists and scientists came from different parts of the country. From Moscow, Leningrad (current Saint Petersburg), Sverdlovsk and other cities the equipment, transport, building materials were provided.
In the result of World War II the national status of the city was changed, as the traditional ethnic groups (the Polish, Jewish and German) were transferred or removed.

This was connected with eradication of Ukrainian Greek-catholic church. After Stalin’s death the soviet politics became more patient, and Lviv remains one of the main centers of Ukrainian culture. In 50‘s and 60‘s the city grew its population and size. Many famous plants and factories were established in Lviv. Till the beginning of 80‘s Lviv already possessed 137 large enterprises that were producing buses, TV sets, different apparatuses.

Science

The science of Lviv started to develop very quickly. To the 80‘s already 3 Institutes already functioned in USSR, filial and departments of academic establishments, tens of research, project- constructive institutes, 11 high education institutes. In Soviet time Lviv continued its traditions of mathematic school.

Culture

In Soviet time Lvivi remains important cultural center. There were 5 theaters, filarmony, about 40 cinemas, circus, 46 culture palaces, 12 huge museums, more than 350 libraries. Many important writers, composers, artists, architects, journalists worked here. These are I.Vilde, R.Lubkivskiy, Y.Stecyuk, V.Stus, M.Kolessa, R.Symovych, A.Kos-Antolskiy, V.Patyke, S.Karaffi-Korbut and many-many others.

Independent Ukraine

In 1991 USSR was divided into the number of independent states. Lviv became a Ukrainian center of changes. In 1998 historical part of the city and cathedral of St.George inserted into a list of World heritage of UNESCO that was actively provided by the major of the city Vasyl Kuybida. On the 14-15 May 1999 the 6-th Summit of presidents of central European countries was held in Lviv. The topic of “round table” was “Human estimation of common European and regional integration and its role in building of new Europe”. In June 2001 the city was visited by Joann Paul II. In 2005 with participation of presidents of Poland and Ukraine – Alexander Kvasnevskiy and Viktor Yuschenko, and cardinals of Rome- and Greek-catholic churches- Maryan Yavorskiy and Lyubomyr Huzar was opened a military memorial of Polish defenders of the city died during the Polish-Ukrainian war in 1918.

Outstanding Lvivians

Lviv is multinational city. Here many famous people of Ukrainian, Polish, Jewish and Russian history and culture were born, lived and worked. The Ukrainian: Ivan Franko, historian Mykhaylo Hrushevskiy, actress Solomyya Krushelnytska, Ivan Krypyakevych, Les Kurbas, cardinal Lyubomyr Huzar, chess players Oleg Romanishyn and Andrey Volokytin.
The Polish: king Stanislav I. Leschinskiy, writers Mariya Konopnytska, Gabriela Zapolska, Vanda Vasylevska, actor Andjey Zhulavskiy, historian Osvald Valtser. The Russian: Alexandra Marinina.
The German and Austrians: Franz Ksavier Volfgang Mozart, biologist Rudolf Veigl, mathematician Richard von Mize.
The Jewish: writers Leopold von Zacher-Mazoh, Stanislav Lem and Stanislav Yezhi Lets, philosopher Martin Buberm piano players Stafan Ashkenazi (Belgium), Morris Rozenthal (USA), violin player Yury Bashmet, Jacob Rozanfeld (military assistant of Mao Dze Dun), mathematician Stafan Banakh.

In Lviv in XVI century the first typer of Russia and Ukraine Ivan Fedorov worked and was buried. As well Balzac, Shalom Ale hem, Eugenia Aksenova-Ginsburg, Nadezhda Mandelshtam.

Administrative division of the city

Lviv is divided into 6 districts each of which has its own authorities:

• Railway district
• Lychakovskiy district
• Sykhivskiy district
• Franko district
• Shevchenko district
• Halytskiy district

As well such administrative units come into the content of Lviv:

- town Vynnyky

- village Rudno

- village Bryukhovychi

Places of historical interest

There are so many Lviv properties and Lviv real estates worthy seeing!

Now Lviv becomes more and more popular among tourists from Ukraine and other countries. It is a unique pearl of our country that combines a deep history with all its adorable architecture and modern life. It real estates continue attracting many people.

It was March 2003 when Lviv region adopted first tourism and recreational programs for 2003-2007. This program was worked out by the regional administration's resort and tourism department jointly with the National Academy's Institute for Regional Studies. Then later other programs also appeared, such as National Tourism Development Program, the Resort Business Development Program. Niw the cabinet is working on the development of next resort business priorities program.

It is known that Lviv region was the first to sign a collaboration agreement between regional administration and Tourist State Administration of Ukraine. This region worked out a tourist itinerary marking and coding system that was officially examined, coordinated with the State Committee on Standards and Certification, and is currently recommended all over Ukraine. At present young service specialist are taught in the best fourteen service schools at various levels of accreditation. Now tourist business consists of what appear to be minor things, like regularly supplied clean rushnyk embroidered towels, tasty meals, good lighting, and polite guides.

Lviv’s small and large hotel took necessary certification. Hence only two large ones obtained four stars rate; tourists often prefer smaller and homelike ones. It definitely means that city visitors must live in comfortable conditions with pleasant interior design, good service and delicious cuisine. There are many such small hotels in the vicinity of Lviv and along all major highways. In fact, they need little advertising, as their publicity is secured by word of mouth. Only last year brought thirty cases of hotels certification and it grows every year.

However, why Lviv is so popular right now? Why it attracts so many tourists? The answer is easy. People want to plunge into a real history seeing the majority of historical places. They all find it here. Where else can one celebrate Christmas in a more exotic atmosphere, with countless marketplace puppet shows, with whole villages joining in the festivities, when one is drawn in a whirlpool of songs and dances?

It is no wonder that many foreign visitors like this city very much. It adores with its beauty and charm. As well the prices for the Lviv property for sale didn’t grow so rapidly and so high as it happens in Kyiv. Buying Lviv real estates became very popular nowadays as the historical center of the city is full of valuable place and having a pretty Lviv apartment in this area is very prestige and elite.

Sviatogo Yura (St. George) Cathedral. Great sample of creative Western Europe conceptions is presented as a Cathedral of St. Yury (aka St. George). It was designed and built by Bernard Merderer as well known as Bernard Meretyn who had a much influence of late baroque. It resembles the Monastery Complexes by Jacob Prandtauer in Melk (Austria) or Superga Philippo Juvara in Turin. Cathedral is one of the mostly visited places in Lviv. People adore its unique style and very tender details in the architecture.

Church of St. John the Baptist. XIII century. It is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Lviv. It was established under the influence of Western Roman and Gothic architecture.

Ascention square. On the background is the Bernardine Monastery that is decorates in a unique style and is one of the most interesting places in Lviv.

Lviv Opera. Famous opera and ballet theatre was built in 1900 (during the Austrian authorities rule) by architect Z. Gorgolevsky. This theater became one of the most beautiful buildings in the Eastern Europe with its unique paintings and luxurious interior design. Many famous singers like Solomia Crushelnytska were the ones who gave a lot of performances in this building. Standing on the main city square Lviv Opera is a brilliant decoration that attracts thousands of tourists.

Armenian church is one of the most ancient churches in Lviv. In 2001 this place was returned to Armenian Apostle church. The church was built in 1363. It was built by the architect Doring. Many researchers assume that the Armenian masters took part in the building of the church, as the memorial has many similar features with the church of Anna (Armenia). The monastery yard from the Northern part of the cathedral from the opposite site borders on the building of monastery of Armenian benedictions built in 1682.

In the eastern part of the city there is one of three functioning Roman-Catholic churches in Lviv. This is the St. Anthony's church.. Among Ukraine's museums, the Lviv History Museum is one of the oldest and richest in historical artefacts. Its helps the visitors to plunge into a deep and rich history of this city and to feel a real atmosphere of that Lemberg. The Museum's collections are housed in buildings Numbers 4, 6, 24 Rynok Square.

Another example of great Lviv museum is Drug Store - museum The Drug store museum “Under the black eagle” was founded in 1735 by the military pharmacist Natovp. In 1966 on the basis of active drug store the museum of pharmacy history was founded. Today it is a unique museum complex where the exclusive exhibits are presented that are gathered by the pharmacists and scientists. There are more than 5000 exhibits in this drug-store for today.

Oleskiy Zamok is a unique historic and architecture memorial of XIII-XVII centuries. Over than 6 centuries it stands on the high hill, witness of many events that came into the history forever. The fate of the castle was very different during the time of its existence. It was a warrior that proved its independency, it was a hostage that wanted to be owned by different kings, it was a luxurious palace like a king residence with absolute glamour. And now when its native land became free it turned into a memorial that serves its nation as a treasure of history and culture.

Map of Lviv

Click on the map to see it in full size.

Recently Lviv celebrated its 750-th anniversary that was a real event in the life of this city. There were a lot of ceremonies, festivals, concerts dedicated to this date. A true hologram effects were realized on the building of National Lviv Opera and Ballet Theater.