The Tustan city-fortress dates back to the 9th century. The wooden structure was built into ancient rock formations to protect the borders of Kievan Rus’ from wild hordes. Today Tustan is a Ukrainian state-owned historical-cultural preserve, which was established due to the pioneering work of archaeologist Myhailo Rozhko. The fortress is located about 110 kilometers from Lviv.
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Lviv’s Neo-Baroque House of Scientists was built in 1897 by famed architects Fellner & Helmer, who also designed the George Hotel and the Odessa Opera House. The building is Lviv’s most popular place for balls and charity events. The House of Scientists is also a favorite spot for local newlyweds to have their wedding photos taken.
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The Green Sofa Gallery features modern art exhibits by local Ukrainian artists. Exhibits change about every three weeks with nearly 20 shows per year, mainly by Lviv artists. The Green Sofa Gallery is located in the bell-tower of the Armenian Church on historic Virmens’ka Street just minutes from Rynok Square.
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The Furniture and Porcelain Museum is an annex of Lviv’s Museum of Ethnography and Arts Crafts. The museum features a remarkable collection of almost 700 examples of Ukrainian and European furniture, and textiles as well as 17th-19th-century metalwork.
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This remarkable Renaissance building is hard to miss due to its striking coal-black facade. The house was built in 1577 for Italian tax-collector Tomaso Alberti and once housed one of the Lviv’s first pharmacies on its ground floor. The Black House is one of the most prominent historical buildings on Lviv’s Rynok Square.
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This Neo-Renaissance architectural treasure once belonged to powerful Potocki family, one of Central Europe’s most influential clans. Alfred Józef Potocki, then Minister-President of Austria, commissioned a renowned French architect, who designed this grand Lviv townhouse in the style of an ornate French hôtel particulier. Today the palace is a downtown branch of the Lviv Art Gallery with exhibits of European paintings from the 14th – 18th centuries.
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Zhovkivskyi Castle is a former residence of King Jan ІІІ Sobieski of Poland, which stands in the main square of the town of Zhovkva. Despite being largely dilapidated, it’s still worth a visit. The castle was built at the same time as the town at the end of the 18th century. Zhovkivskyi Castle is located in the town of Zhovkva about 30 kilometers from Lviv.
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Zolochivsky Castle was initially built in the 17th century as a fortified citadel (the pentagonal fortifications at each of its corners are still hard to miss). The castle is often part of a three-castle tour of Lviv Region called "Ukraine's Golden Horseshoe." Zolochivsky Castle is located in Zolochiv village in Lviv region 64 kilometers from Lviv.
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Pidgoretsky Castle was built in the 17th century and is an example of Renaissance-era architecture that’s one part imposing palace and one part fortifications. Today the castle is part of the Lviv Art Gallery and a resort that includes an 18th-century wayside inn and a cathedral. Together with Olesky and Zolochivsky castles, Pidgoretsky Castle forms the “The Golden Horseshoe of Ukraine” – a popular castle tour of Lviv Region.
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Olesky Castle is one of Ukraine’s oldest castles – first mention of it appeared in written sources in 1327. Olesky is traditionally the starting point of a castle tour in Lviv Region called "Ukraine's Golden Horsehoe. Olesky Castle is located in Olesko village in Lviv Region about 75 kilometers outside Lviv.
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