The Center for Urban History of East Central Europe was as a private non-profit dedicated to historical scholarship based on openness, tolerance and responsibility. The Center periodically hosts various international and local historical and art exhibitions, often about controversial subjects. Major exhibits are usually connected with the Center’s own academic activities and include innovative content that combines texts, image, films and objects.
Continue reading
This magnificent 10-meter monument was created in 2001 to commemorate the 800th birthday of Lviv’s founder, King Danylo Halytsky. Locals affectionately refer to the monument as “The Horse” and it serves as a convenient meeting point for couples and friends. The Danylo Halytsky Monument stands on historic Halyts’ka Square close to Rynok Square.
Continue reading
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.
Continue reading
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.
Continue reading
The Shevchenko Monument is a recent addition to Lviv’s cultural landscape. It was established in 1992, and despite its newness has become one of the most visible images of Lviv. The monument depicts Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine’s greatest poet and the spiritual leader of the Ukrainian nation. The Shevchenko Monument is located on Lviv’s central avenue Prospect Svobody.
Continue reading
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.
Continue reading
Salo is a restaurant and art museum that serves the Ukrainian delicacy salo (pork fat) in surprising and provocative shapes. Salo is located on Lviv’s central avenue Prospect Svobody , a 2-minute walk from Rynok Square and all the main downtown tourist sights. The dark lounge-like interior is good for groups of friends who want to sit closer together on its snow-white sofas.
Continue reading
Ivan Franko Park used to be called Park Kostyushka and many Lvivites still call it by its former name. The park covers an area of 15 hectares and is regarded as Ukraine’s oldest city park, dating back to the 16th century. Ivan Franko Park enjoys nice location in Lviv’s center on Universytetska Street, in front of Ivan Franko National University. It’s easy walking distance from Prospect Svobody and most downtown tourist sights.
Continue reading
Lviv’s High Castle is not actually a castle, but Lviv’s highest point and one of its most popular tourist attractions. There was a time when High Castle was a set of wooden fortifications; these were built in the 13th century by King Lev. Today you’ll see fragments of old walls on your way to the lookout point atop High Castle (Vysokyi Zamok in Ukrainian), which offers one of Lviv's best views and is a must-see for tourists.
Continue reading
This 21-meter monument to Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz stands in the center of a square that also bears his name. It was built in 1904 and has immense national and cultural significance for Lviv's Polish community. The beautiful monument differs greatly from monuments to the poet in Warsaw and Krakow.
Continue reading