Lviv is a truly unique Ukrainian city. It's been attached to Poland, Austria, Lithuania, the Western Ukrainian Republic and others before becoming officially joined to the Ukraine by the Soviets after World War II. For this reason, the city straddles the line between Europe and Ukraine in its culture, geography and architecture, and it's why Lviv easily boasts the most beautiful market square in the entire country.
The market square features a 195-foot tower, a gorgeous Town Hall and classical fountains on each corner with the mythological figures Neptune, Diana, Adonis and Amphitrite. The city square homes -- which will be discussed in a future post -- feature a wide range of architectural looks, but the main overall style is Renaissance. The market square, which anchors the historic city center, is naturally a UNESCO world heritage site.
In fact, it's UNESCO that best describes the square's melding of styles in its justification for inscription: "In its urban fabric and its architecture, Lviv is an outstanding example of the fusion of the architectural and artistic traditions of eastern Europe with those of Italy and Germany. [The city drew] 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."
It was on this square that I celebrated Ukrainian Independence Day last month, and I had great times at the Gas Lamp restaurant and Masoch café on its adjoining streets. The market square is truly the center of the city and the place to start your Lviv adventure.
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