Ukraine

Lviv

Lviv is a regional center located in Halychyna (Galicia) just on the route connecting Western and Eastern Europe, in 544 km from Kyiv. The population is above 800 thousands.

This scenic city in the West of Ukraine is considered to be the capital of Western Ukraine and one of the leading centers of the country’s cultural and spiritual life as well as national liberation movement.

Modern Lviv is characterized by exquisite art, rich folk traditions, a mixture of many nations, warm hospitality, tourism services and business activity. More than fifty percent of all architectural monuments within Ukraine are located here in Lviv. The central part of the city is a historical architectural habitat. Gray stones of Lviv reflect a diversity of styles. You may experience the feeling of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Classicism and Secession. The historic Lviv, known as a city of sleeping lions, endured numerous battles, invasions, fires and floods, but never lost its uniqueness and attractiveness. Lviv can be called a “museum-city on the open air”, where dreams are said to come true, where every street is a legend itself.

Lviv is not only the masterpiece of history of the Western Ukraine but its business center as well. Because of its geographic location and historical facts, this city attracts foreign investors, entrepreneurs and businessmen. Produce of Lviv enterprises, especially that of food industry, is well known all over Ukraine and in the neighboring countries for its high quality and considerably low prices.

In Lviv one can feel the freshness of the Carpathian air and enjoy a very rich and beautiful nature of the Western Ukraine with its Carpathian Mountains. It goes without saying that Lviv can be called one of the pearls of Europe.

Lviv is the place where the mysterious, irrational and despotic East merged with the heroic, romantic and pragmatic West. The principles of tolerance and respect to that of foreign origin, which can become factors of establishing the same ideas in the New Europe of the future, have been developing in the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural smelter of Lviv for centuries.

Some interesting facts:

• The first written mention about Lviv dates back to 1256. 
• The population is around 830 000 citizens.
• The total area is 171 square kilometres. 
• It encompasses 55% of all Ukrainian monuments of cultural significance and 1.5 million museum artefacts. 
• 13 official and honorary consulates of foreign states are situated in Lviv. 
• More than 160 000 students study here.
• The city contains 60 establishments for higher education. 
• Lviv celebrated its 750th anniversary in September 2006.
• Since 1998, L’viv is a World UNESCO Heritage site.
• In 2008 Lviv was approved as a host city for UEFA EURO 2012 matches.
• On June 12, 2009 the Ukrainian magazine “Focus” assessed Lviv as the best Ukrainian city to live in. Particularly high was the “Focus” representatives’ recognition of business and educational potential of the “City of Lion”, as well as the level of cultural events and solicitude. By the last two criteria Lviv has scored the maximum number of points possible.