Devastated by countless wars and restored anew Lvov has remained a sparkling gem in the constellation of ancient Ukrainian towns, time has not blurred its glory. It is still lauded in song, verse and paintings.
During its seven-hundred-year-old history Lvov has been a centre of political and military upheavals. Lvov’s location as an Ukrainian outpost projected into the heart of Europe has placed Lvov at the crossroads of history. It has survived hundreds of fires, scores of wars, sieges and assaults. It has withstood the invasions of Poles, Germans, Swedes, Turks and Soviet Union. It was renamed Leopolis, Levensburgh, Lemberg, Lwuw … For ages it had languished under alien rule.
‘Each year brings new changes to the rapidly growing town, but the inimitable charm of ancient Lvov has been preserved. There is often a strange intermixture of time and style: a lofty Gothic cathedral stands side by side with an ancient Italian Renaissance structure, an imposing Baroque-styled Catholic church towers next to laconic, modern types of buildings. Builders and architects of various nationalities have contributed to the diversity of architectural styles. Lvov is one of the most beutiful towns in the world!
“This town was born under such a sky and under such a star” wrote Lvov’s 17th century poet and historian Zimorowicz” that it was destined to strive for the beautiful”.
Three hundred years have gone by since then and time has fully out these words.