There are certainly many beautiful and colorful cities in Ukraine. However, there are some that you want to return to again. Impressive architecture, a rich historical past, delicious coffee, and exquisite cuisine are what Lviv is famous for.
RBC-Ukraine has gathered information about the most interesting sights of Lviv.
Contents:
- Rynok Square and Lviv City Hall
- Lviv Opera House
- Potocki Palace
- House of Scientists
- St. George's Cathedral
- High Castle
- Dominican Cathedral
- Lviv Citadel
- Armenian Quarter and Cathedral
- Italian courtyard
Rynok Square and Lviv City Hall
Rynok Square is the center of Lviv's life. This square was founded during the reign of Prince Danylo Romanovych. It was supposed to serve as the center of trade and social life of the medieval city.
The beauty of the square was later perfected by Austrian and Italian architects. There are forty-four stone and brick buildings on the square, mostly in the Renaissance style, sometimes with Gothic elements.
Rynok Square (photo from the Internet)
In the center of the square stands the Town Hall. It is a large rectangular building with a tall tower, which is decorated with a huge clock. To get up to its observation deck, you need to overcome four hundred steps.
The town hall is surrounded by four sculptures - Neptune, Amphitrite, Adonis, and Diana. There is a fountain complex in the middle.
Lviv City Hall (photo from the Internet)
Lviv Opera House
The Lviv Opera and Ballet Theater is a landmark that, according to many tourists, is considered the most beautiful among theaters not only in Lviv but throughout Europe.
The building impresses with its spectacular grandeur and majesty, thanks to a skillful combination of Baroque and Renaissance styles.
The Opera House also offers guided tours where you can learn about its rich history.
Photo: Lviv Opera House (wikipedia.org)
Potocki Palace
The Potocki Palace is a real architectural gem of Lviv. The building was erected in the last decade of the 19th century as the residence of Count Alfred Józef Potocki.
The count was fond of France, so his palace in Lviv was built on the model of the Baroque residences of the time of King Louis XIV.
The palace impresses with its sophistication. Inside, the luxurious decoration has been preserved: stucco, gilding, marble. Guests are especially fascinated by the dancing Mirror Hall.
The Potocki Palace was intended for special occasions and is now an art gallery of European art. The front facade of the Potocki Castle in Lviv is decorated with a wrought-iron gate, and there is a picturesque terrace at the back of the building.
Photo: Potocki Palace (wikipedia.org)
House of Scientists
The House of Scientists is one of the most beautiful buildings in Lviv. It got its name from the fact that it now belongs to the Trade Union of Education and Science, although in the past it was a casino.
Photo: House of Scientists (wikipedia.org)
The building is interesting not only for its exterior, made in the style of Central European Baroque, but also for its amazing interior decoration using carved wood.
By the way, the scene with the Cardinal for the movie D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers was filmed here.
Photo: House of Scientists inside (wikipedia.org)
St. George's Cathedral
One of the most prominent places in Lviv is the Greek Catholic Archdiocesan Cathedral of St. George on Sviatoyurska Hill. The church belongs to a grandiose ensemble of 18th-century Rococo architecture. In addition to the cathedral, it includes the metropolitan's chambers, the bell tower, and former monastery premises, as well as gardens and walls around it.
The shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. St. George's Church is also known throughout Ukraine for the bell on the local bell tower. This is the oldest bell in our country, with an inscription that says the bell was cast in 1341.
St. George's Cathedral is also famous for the Metropolitan Gardens, which are located behind the building of the Metropolitan Chambers. They consist of two parts: The Upper Gardens and the Lower Gardens. Visiting the territory of the Upper Metropolitan Gardens, you will see beautiful park compositions, carefully designed and maintained.
Photo: St. George's Cathedral (wikipedia.org)
High Castle
Being in Lviv and not visiting the High Castle is like being in Kyiv and not even seeing Khreshchatyk. The mountain is 413 meters high and is the highest point in the city. Once upon a time, there was a castle on it.
The construction of the mountain began in the 13th century. When the castle was rebuilt and became visible from the surrounding areas, the mountain was called Zamkova, or High Castle.
In the 17th century, Swedish troops passed through Lviv and stormed the fortress. Since then, the castle began to deteriorate, and no one has been involved in its preservation.
Today, only a small wall remains of the castle fortifications. Castle Hill has become one of the most favorite viewpoints for city residents and tourists.
Castle Hill (photo from the Internet)
Dominican Cathedral
One of Lviv's religious architectural landmarks is the Dominican Cathedral, formerly a monastery. Its majestic late Baroque facades are hard to miss.
According to some historians, it was once the palace of Prince Lev Danylovych himself.
Religious buildings are often equipped with spacious and mystical dungeons, but the dungeons of the Dominican Cathedral are considered the oldest in Lviv.
Some historians claim that the dungeons of the Dominican Cathedral are the remains of the palace of Prince Lev, who founded the city. This palace was called the Lower Palace, in contrast to the famous High Castle on Castle Hill.
Dominican Cathedral (photo from the Internet)
Lviv Citadel
The Citadel in Lviv is a complex of buildings that strengthen the fortress. It consists of four towers and a barracks.
The building was constructed in the 19th century and still retains its appearance. Now one of the towers houses a hotel.
Photo: Lviv Citadel (wikipedia.org)
Armenian Quarter and Cathedral
Lviv became a refuge for Armenians back in the 13th century. Expelled from their lands, they were forced to look for a new home. Armenian merchants and craftsmen were the first to arrive in the city.
They settled compactly, so now all the sights that the city owes to Armenians are concentrated on Virmenska Street. Probably the most famous of them is the Armenian Cathedral, built in 1370.
Armenian Cathedral (photo from the Internet)
Italian courtyard
The Italian Courtyard is one of the best places to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is located in the very center of Lviv.
The name fully justifies itself: the architecture of the courtyard is indeed very similar to Italian. And this is not surprising, because it, like the entire Korniakt Palace, inside which it is located, was designed by Italian architects.
In addition, the Italian courtyard, decorated in the Renaissance style, is considered one of the most romantic places in Lviv. In the warm season, there is a cafe, concerts, and classical and jazz music festivals.
Italian courtyard (photo from the Internet)
Earlier, we wrote about interesting places you should visit in Kyiv and Kharkiv.
