Small Paris or City of Lviv |
 23 votes |
Anyone who was born in Lviv used to live there or ever visited Lviv dreams to come back there again. Tourist leaving Lviv takes with them unforgettable memories, taste of good coffee and best Ukrainian beer...Foreigners call city of Lviv small Paris
|
|
Lviv (other spellings: L'viv - Ukrainian, Lvov - Russian , Lwiw, Lwow, Lemberg) is one of the most beautiful cities of Ukraine, the real pearl of European architecture, also a spiritual capital of Ukraine.Lviv is large regional center with population over 750 000 people with Ukrainian, Polish, Jews, Greeks, Germans and other nationalities. Its architectural landscape joins the monuments of numerous styles and different epochs. From the gothic XIV century Latin Cathedral to the baroque of St. George (Sviatoho Yura) Cathedral. Renaissance-style Bernardine Monastery and Chapel of Boimes coexist with the strict simplicity of Armenian Church. The walls of old Lviv buildings still keep the spirit of past centuries. Cozy streets and fascinating monuments make it a unique tourist attraction among the Ukrainian and Eastern European cities. Lviv has its special atmosphere of medieval city. Narrow streets, temples create feeling that time there is frozen. Life in the city flows leisurely. Here there is no noisy crowd of heavy traffic. The center section of Lviv is declared by historical and architectural preserve and in 1998 is introduced into the list of the world cultural heritage OF UNESCO. Under the protection are found about 2 thousand historical, architectural and cultural monuments. Old city of Lviv lies at the basin which is surrounded by seven hills, parks and squares. Great time to visit Lviv is 7th of January – Christmas day or at first week of May when Lviv celebrates its city day. At this time on the streets it is possible to see colorful decorations, a lot of people and carnivals. City was based in 1256 by King Danil Galitsky and named in the honor of his son of Lev (Leo). City consisted of three parts - fastened city, outskirts and suburb.
|
|
| Favourite spots: |
|
a) Carting is one of sport activity that I found interesting. Price range from 6$ for 5 minutes, 12$ - 10 minutes and so on in weekdays and +2$ in weekends. Computer shows result of race (not more then 4 cars can participate at same time). Carting can be found at least at two places – Cultural Park and in territory of Shopping Center called “Eastern”. b) Horse riding available at place called “Victoria”. If you never ride a horse you will be provided help by instructor. Also you can find interesting Ice Skiing Center which works in winter time. Last time i visited it (last winetr)prices there was 2$ per person.
|
|
| What's really great: |
|
Beauty of old city and many architectural monuments yearly attracts to itself tens of thousands of tourists. Church of St. Nicholas is considered as the oldest monument of city.. Church was in year of 1292 and also served, probably for protection from attack. Not far from the church stands Hans Krestitel's temple, built in 1260 for Lev’s wife. Several times temple was destroyed, but then again it was reconstructed. Approximately in 1360 near the Market square was placed cathedral. Construction of this cathedral has been lasting for almost 100 years. As a result severe Gothic cathedral with the simple forms appeared.
|
|
| Sights: |
What else amazed me was Armenian cathedral build in1370-1390. Cathedral reflects Armenian culture and Gothic style of West Europe. It is really unique construction.
In period of renaissance (16th century) ensemble of the Uspenski Church was built consisted of Church of Mother of God, the Chapel of three Svyatiteley and the Belfry of Kornyakta. The ensemble of Uspenski church is considered brightest and memorable in Lviv.
What is really great that you have feeling that you are somewhere at 16th century.One additional sights of the period of renaissance are the chapels Of Boims build at 1609-1617 and Kamp'yanov 1619. These were the tomb of rich petty bourgeois. Chapels are decorated with a large quantity of sculptures, thread and detailed Biblical scenes.
From the 30's of 17 centuries the period of baroque began. At this time the church of Jesuits was built (1610-1630). This is one of the greatest cult constructions in Lviv.
|
|
| Accommodations: |
|
In Lviv it is difficult to find accommodation other then hotel, but if you wish to rent a flat you may go to train station where you can see few people offering accommodation or you can ask taxi drivers, they probably knows. But if you are classical traveler you can stay at Lviv’s hotels for a price vary from 35$ for a standard room and over. In most of the hotels staff speaks Ukrainian, English, Polish and Russian languages.
|
|
| Restaurants: |
If you went to Lviv and did not try Ukrainian meals it means you experience is 70% complete. Lviv is considered as Ukrainian cultural city where restaurant offer real Ukrainian meals. I suggest you ‘Borsh’ it is soup with vegetables (If you watched film “Lord of War” with Nicolas Cage you probably notice it).
Also try Lviv’s famous (Lvivske Pyvo) beer which is made with different flavor that will cost you around 50 cents.
|
|
| Other recommendations: |
1) Lviv is famous city not only for its rich architecture and history but also unfortunately for extreme nationalistic behaviors of its inhabitants.In Lviv people does not usualy like colored skin people and asians. But generally it is safe if you not go alone and not pay attention to some stupid poeple.
2) Better take Ukrainian not Russian phrase book or guide that speaks Ukrainian.
3) Weather in Lviv is very changable so be ready to experience summer,autumn and spring at the same time.
4)Something that also dissapoints me is that city is in a very bad state and not very clean.
|
|
Published on Thursday January 19th, 2006 by karden
|
|
|
|
Read comments (12)
|
|
|
|
|
