Західна Україна - Zakhidna Ukrayina - Western Ukraine

Lviv is the capital of Western Ukraine, one of the main cultural centres of Ukraine, and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The entire historic city centre is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city recently celebrated its 750th year of existance. A city of striking Baroque and Renaissance architecture, Lviv is the focal point of Ukrainian national culture. Located by the foothills of the picturesque Carpathian mountains, it is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Lviv, with a population of over 900,000, was mentioned in the Volyn chronicle in 1256 when King Danylo Halytsky founded the city and named it after his son Leo. Thanks to its advantageous location, many important trade routes and cultures met in Lviv. Busy trade led to a dramatic increase in prosperity. Secular and religious gentry, rich merchants, artisans and craftspeople lived within the narrow ring of the city walls. As early as the 15th century, the city had its own mint, water supply system and regular international post. The streets were paved with cobbled stones and many new houses were built. The city itself is often called ‘the open-air museum’. A highlight is Market Square with more than 600 years of history. Market Square of the old city performed the function of an economic, political and administrative center up to the end of the 19th century. The area housed members of the urban nobility and wealthy merchant class, building many mansions and commercial properties. Today, Market Square is the core of the historical and architectural preservation area, consisting of 45 buildings. They reflect elements of many architectural traditions, such as Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and Rococo. Several theater companies perform in Lviv. The Opera House of Ivan Franko is a source of great pride to locals. Extravagantly built, with richly decorated facade and interior, its architecture leads Lviv's Opera to be classed among the best theaters in Europe. Lviv's unique history, architecture, location, and cultural blend make it a truely enjoyable place to visit and live. ----------------------------------------------------------- Ivano-Frankivsk lies in the Precarpathian plain where fast waters of the Nadvirnianska Bystrytsia and Solotvynska Bystrytsia join together. Ivano-Frankivsk is the regional center and one of the largest economic and cultural centers in the west of Ukraine. The first mention of the city named Stanyslaviv refers to 1662 when the city received a Magdeburg right. The city was founded as a fortress to protect people from Crimean Tatars’ raids and a stronghold of the Pototskyis – Polish landlords on Halych lands. Many times the fortress was besieged by Turkish and Russian troops. Stanyslaviv was originated from the Market square and City Hall, which can be seen today having been modified. The Reneissanse architectural ideas of "the ideal city" were reflected in the construction that followed. These ideas were used for planning a middle part of the city, its streets and churches. Because of the originality the of architecture sometimes our city is called "small Lviv". In 18-19 centuries the city was a big trading and manufacturing center of Poland and from 1772 – of Austria (since 1867 – of Austro-Hungarian Empire). Except Ukrainians, a certain contribution in development of crafts and culture was made by Polish, Jews and Armenians whose national communities were quite numerous. In 1848 the revolution woke public life. In Stanislav there was created "Rus Rada" (alongside with Polish). They organized a squadron of National Guards and started printing the first newspaper. Ukrainian deputies were elected to the newly established Parliament. The second half of the 19th century is marked by fast development of industrial relations and creating enterprises. The railway built in 1866 made some impact, too. At that time the locomotive repair factory, distillery, leather plant "Plai" were e