LVIV - "THE PEARL OF EUROPE"

Lviv is a great city of the most important political and cultural centre of the western region of the country. This region contains 2.6 million inhabitants and covers an area of 21,800 square kilometers. The city of Lviv occupies an area of 155 square kilometers, its population is 830 thousand. Most of them are ethnically Ukrainians, but Poles, Jews, Russians, Germans, Armenians, Czechs as well as other nationalities live in the city.

Prince Danylo of Galicia, a former principality of Kyivan Rus, founded the city in the middle of the thirteenth century (1256) and named it after his son Lev. Lviv quickly became the center of trade and commerce for the region. The city's favourable location on the crossroads of trade routes from the Black and Baltic Sea ports, Kyiv, Central and Western Europe led to its rapid economic development. Last ages have introduced into the city their traditions, cultures, religions and architecture - a mixture of Gothic and Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque, Empire, Rococo, eclectic Modern and lapidary Constructivism. Today the central part of the city is proclaimed a historical-architectural reserve and is included into "World Heritage List" of UNESCO.

There are 2000 historical, architectural and cultural monuments in Lviv, it is more than 50% of all monuments within Ukraine. The magic power of its history and rich cultural life attract many people to Lviv, known as "The Pearl of Europe". The city is like a legendary open-air museum. There are numerous cafes, bars, and restaurants, beautiful parks, roomy museums, and a modern racecourse in the city. Lviv Opera House is considered to be one of the most wonderful in all of Europe.

The building of the Opera House completes the central boulevard of the city. The view of the theatre from Mickiewicz

Square is one of the most attractive in Lviv urban landscape. In the very beginning of the boulevard there is a stone fountain of the Virgin, the city patroness in the legends of its inhabitants. Northwards you can see another monument respected by Lviv citizens - the monument to Taras Shevchenko, the greatest Ukrainian poet. To the left of Kobsar's figure there is the Wave of National Revival, a 12 metres high symbolic stele.

And when you arrive in Lviv, you will be able to feel the spirit of olden days Lviv, which cer­ainly hides in every corner of its ancient walls. You will also see this spirit in the eyes of the lo­cal citizens who are in love with their most beau­tiful native town.