Golden Gate

Kiev Ukraine

Golden Gate was built in 1037 during the reign of Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Kiev.

St. Andrew's Descent

Kiev Ukraine

According to legend, St. Andrew's descent got its name from Saint Andrew the First-Called.

Deribasovskaya Street

Odessa Ukraine

Deribasovskaya is a symbol of South Palmyra, and if you want to see the most beautiful and interesting sights of Odessa town, then it is worth going on this street.

Duke de Richelieu

Odessa Ukraine

The monument, of the founders of the city, Duke de Richelieu on the Promenade is one of the main attractions of Odessa.

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The Lvov chronology

Lvov is a city with an ancient history, the city with the combination of many cultures. The history of this unique and rapid Ukrainian town began seven and a half centuries ago. The first document that mentions Lvov is dated 1256. The founder of this city was a prince Danilo Romanovich who called it Lvov in honor of his son Lev. The center of ancient Russian city Lvov used to be a modern Market square (Ploshcha Rynok). The city was securely protected by the fortress that was built taking into count natural conditions – the hills of the High Castle and the river Poltva.
Thanks to its unique geographical location on the crossing of main trade ways between West and East, in 15th -17th centuries Lvov became the main trade center of Western Europe, the biggest city in Ukraine. For more than a half of century Lvov was in the center of European cultural space that helped it become a real gem of architecture, as well as the center of book publishing, handcraft and art.
In the 18th – 20th centuries Lvov was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It became famous as a city of technical innovations, as a matter of fact, here the kerosene was invented and later on the first gas lamp was invented here too.
In the second part of 19th century the deposits of oil were found in Boryslav, so Lvov got the railway connections with the capitol of the Empire and other European cities. At this time the city got its tramlines, then first gas and later electric light. The new districts were being built, the new theaters were being founded, and the city got its first hotels, banks and public establishments.
The end of 19th – the beginning of 20th century is the age of national rise for Ukrainian art. Lvov became the center of national revival, famous politicians and cultural figures lived and worked here. In the beginning of the 20th century Lvov became the capital of the third region in the world in oil production, after the USA and Russia.
In 1939-1991 Lvov was under the power of totalitarian Soviet Union. From the moment Ukraine got its independence from The Soviet Union Lvov was proclaimed the cultural and spiritual capitol. In 1998 Lvov was added to the list of world memorial cities that are protected by UNESCO.
Lvov is the city that combines ancient and modern styles in architecture and in traditions. Here you can see the mix of Gothic culture and Baroque, Renaissance and Roman styles, rococo and Empire styles, modern eclectic and constructivism.
Poland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire had huge influence on the culture and architecture in Lvov. The barons and benefactors were inviting talented experts from all around the Europe to create this gem of unique architecture. You should come here to feel the inimitable spirit, taste and passions of Galychina; take a stroll along the narrow streets of the Old City; to walk around the Market square; to set free the imagination in one of the coffee houses; to look on the city from the mountain The High Hill. And only then, after silent admiration of this town you will be able to feel the spirit of the Middle Ages.
Recently, in 2006, the city has celebrated its 750 anniversary.
Today Lvov is the city of regional subordination in Ukraine, the center of Lvov region; cultural, national, scientific center of the country. It is also a big industrial and trade center of western Ukraine. It is the seventh biggest city in Ukraine, counting the population of 757 795 people.
The climate in Lvov is moderate continental and humid. The level of humidity is very high during the year. In winter seasons there are often fogs.
Lvov identity - a community between people on the basis of awareness of the existence of certain behavior patterns and values that are common to all the "real Lvov citizens", as well as recognition of these values and their desire to behave like a "real citizen of Lvov."
According to sociologist V.Sereda’s data the citizens of Lvov consider themselves first of all as the citizens of Ukraine (50%), and the citizens of Lvov (23%). And the identity of Lvov citizens is often on the first place among national minorities (Russian, Polish, and Jews). These two Ukrainian identities in the minds of residents of Lvov do not compete, but rather are more united: Ukrainian identity is an integral part of the Lvov identity.
Speaking about politics it’s worth mentioning that the most popular here are the representatives of the political forces of the right and nationalistic directions.

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