LVIV LVOV LWOW LEMBERG LEOPOLIS L'VIV L'VOV GALICIA HALYCHYNA GALIZIEN
Between East and West
It is truly amazing that Lviv lies at the same distance from Crimea and from Nothern
Lviv is the city of the West and of the East at the same time. It owes its unique location at the mystical intersection of global cultural and civilizational influences to its historical destiny The city is advantageously and conveniently located at the geopolitical junction of two civilizations, at the tectonic fissure of two different and, at times, hostile cultures. For centuries Lviv has been trying to reconcile the irreconcilable. It was 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.
Lviv became the point of contact of two cultural worlds, an equidistant cultural and trading
Lviv is a world heritage site
On December 05, 1998, during the 22nd Session of the World Heritage Committee in Kyoto (Japan), Lviv was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The following reasons for the inclusion of Lviv in the World Heritage List and the compliance with the following 
UNESCO criteria were named:
Criterion А: In its urban fabric and architecture, Lviv is an outstanding example of the fusion of Eastern Europe architectural and artistic traditions with those of Italy and Germany;
Criterion B: The political and commercial role of Lviv attracted to the city a number of ethnic groups with different cultural and religious traditions, who established separate yet interdependent communities within the city, evidence for which is still discernible in the modern townscape.
The territory of the Lviv Historic Centre Ensemble covers 120 ha of the Old Russ and Medieval part of the city, as well as the territory of the St. George’s Cathedral on the St. George’s Hill. The buffer area of the Historic Centre, which is defined by the historic area bounds, is approximately 3,000 ha.
The city of romance and scenic townscapes
Lviv is a very poetic city steeped in legends both ancient and relatively new! Narrow medieval streets paved with stones, architectural monuments of different styles – most preserved in original outlook. In ancient times Lviv was the capital of a mighty Slavic state called the Galicia-Volyn principality. Being a part of Poland and then Austro-Hungarian Empire contributed to the formation of the city’s unique image. Despite all the historical turmoils the city has not lost its Ukrainian spirit, and thank God, Lviv’s delicate architecture has not suffered much during WWII and Soviet Era. One can admire monuments of different eras created by the combination of numerous national and cultural traditions in this open-air city-museum.
Lviv city is graced with beautiful architecture, stormy history, rich spiritual and cultural tradition. Moreover Lviv is a city with special ambiance of romace and charming urban landscapes...people...scents...sounds...epochs...legends and myths and something else that can be witnessed but not expressed by words. That special city atmosphere is represented by narrow medieval streets, peaceful yards, its cozy parks and gardens, splendid panoramic views from Lviv hills and delightful ambience of Lviv cofee-houses and restaurants. Lviv is a sentimental city which provokes memories, incents to dream and addresses to feelings...
