L'viv
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L'viv is a beautiful city and the capital of western Ukraine. The region around L'viv was Polish territory until 1939, when it fell into Russian hands. L'viv was also the place where Ukrainian nationalism re-emerged at the end of the 1980's.
There are countless historical buildings in the city, as it was mostly spared the destruction of WWII that devastated so many other cities in the region. L'viv's historic core is an interesting place with narrow streets and old buildings, while the city's outskirts mainly consist of Communist-style concrete blocks.
The historic center of L'viv is commonly known as the Old Town. It lies on the eastern side of 'downtown' and it is centered on ploshcha Rynok, one of the most beautiful urban squares in Ukraine. The square is surrounded with marvelous 16th to 18th century buildings with beautiful façades that include ornate stone carvings. At the center of the square stands L'viv's town hall, which dates from the 19th century. The Roman Catholic Cathedral is located at the southwestern side of the square. It was built at the end of the 14th century and it is one of the most striking gothic buildings in L'viv. Inside you can see the Boyim Chapel and its beautiful stone carvings. The chapel was constructed in the 17th century. At the northeastern corner of the square, you'll find the oldest pharmacy in L'viv. It was founded in 1735 and it shares a 16th-century building with the Apteka Museum, where you can see exhibitions of historic pharmaceutical equipment.
The Museum of Popular Architecture & Life is a 60 ha (150 acres) large open-air museum, where some 100 old wooden farmsteads, smithies, windmills, churches and schools have been relocated. The buildings represent folk traditions from all over Ukraine. Inside the buildings, original furniture and everyday objects are on display. The museum is about 2 km (1 mile) east of the Old Town and served by bus and tram.
There are numerous hotels and restaurants in L'viv. The city is in the west of Ukraine, 470 km west of Kiev.
