Population: 760,000 – Established: 13th Century AD - Area: 182.01 km2

 

A BRIEF HISTORY

 

Just 62 kilometres from the Polish border sits the Ukrainian city of Lviv (Львів). After being founded by King Danylo of Galicia in 1256, the city was invaded by the Tatars, and razed to the ground just five years later. Rebuilt by Danylo’s son Lev (the town was named after him) in 1280; Lviv received an influx of people from Kraków, which had been suffering from massive droughts.

In 1349 the city was absorbed into the Republic of Poland and given its Polish name, “Lwów”. After becoming the capital of the Ruthenian Voivodeship in 1389 the city prospered and became ethnically diverse, receiving settlers of German, Polish, Armenian and Jewish descent.

Following the First Partition of Poland in 1772, the city was annexed by the Austrian Empire and given its Germanic name of Lemberg. Because of the frequent changed in rule the area developed its own dialect, drawing from the Polish, Russian and German languages.

Aside from a small spell of Russian control in 1914, Lemberg stayed – and prospered - under Austro-Hungarian control until it’s break-up following the First World War. Control was handed over to the Polish Republic - and renamed Lwów - after the year-long Polish-Ukrainian War, and the city remained Polish until 1945.

Following occupation by both the Soviets and Nazi Germany during the Second World War, Poland’s borders swung westwards, and full control of Lwów was handed to the Soviet Union. Lviv stayed under Soviet control until the break-up of the USSR in 1993, when it became one of Ukraine’s most important cities.

 

HOME OF

 

Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart: Youngest son of Wolfgang Amadeus, and composer in his own right. Spent time in Lemberg in the early 1800’s as a music teacher.

Oleh Luzhny: Former Arsenal defender and current Dynamo Kyiv assistant manager, who played 52 times for Ukraine and 8 times for the USSR.

Svyatoslav Vakarchuk: Lead singer of post-Soviet Ukraine’s most successful rock-band, Okean Elzy; and winner of Ukraine’s version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”.

Kazimierz Zegleń: Although born 70 miles away in Ternopil, the inventor of the bulletproof vest spent some of his life in the city.

 

FIVE THINGS TO DO IN LVIV

 

1. Ploshcha Rynok (пл. ринок)

Located in the heart of the old town, the 14th Century Market Square covers an area of around 18,000m; and its renaissance-style cobbles are lined with shops and bars. In the centre of the square sits the Lviv City Hall, rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 1825. Now a UNESCO Heritage Site, each corner of the square is adorned with a statue of a Greek mythological figure.

2. Beer Brewing Museum

Located in the north of the city on Kleparivs’ka Street (Kлeпapiвcькa вулиці); the brewing museum will explain the history of beer, not just in Lviv, but around the world. There’s a bar located in the cellar serving the local beer and food, and yes, there may be a few free samples along the way.

http://www.robertdoms.lviv.ua/

3. Lviv Chocolate Factory (Львівської Майстерні Шоколаду)

For those with a sweet tooth, the Lviv Chocolate Factory specialise in handmade confectionary. Situated just 70 metres from the Market Square on Serbs’ka Street (Сербська, 3), you can watch the sweets being crafted through the window; and it’s also a great place to pick up a gift for your better half.

4. Vysokyi Zamok (Високий замок)

Although only ruins now remain, the site of Lviv’s High Castle is still popular with tourists and locals alike due to the fantastic panoramic views of the city. Located at Lviv’s highest point, the Castle Hill can’t be missed due to the TV tower which now sits at the summit.

5. Palats Korniakta (Палац Корнякта)

Completed in 1580, this renaissance-styled palace was home to Greek merchant Constantine Corniaktos, and later Polish-Lithuanian King Jan III Sobieski. Now part of the Lviv History Museum, it is home to the Jan III Museum and features a number of treasured medallions and precious silverware items.

 

GETTING AROUND

 

Ukraine’s most Westerly host city is just a couple of hours drive away from the Polish border, and is actually 150km closer to the Polish capital Warsaw than it is to Kyiv. 

AIR

Lviv’s recently renovated International Airport is located approximately 6km to the South-West of the city centre; but as of December 2011, it only operates to a small number of destinations.

There are no direct flights from the UK and Ireland to Lviv; so if heading to the city, you will need to catch a connecting flight. The most convenient transfers are from Vienna (Austrian Airlines), Prague (Czech Airlines), Warsaw (LOT), Munich (Lufthansa) and Dortmund (Wizz Air).

As mentioned above; LOT operate a short flight to Warsaw, where transfers to other Polish cities are available. Aerosvit, Dniproavia and Ukraine International Airlines also operate flights to Kyiv-Boryspil.

ARRIVING IN LVIV

The airport is linked to Lviv by both the number 9 and 95 Marshrutkas (2UAH), and the number 9 Trolleybus (1.25UAH). The 95 mini-bus will head from the airport into the heart of the city, passing Svobody Avenue (просп. Свободи); whilst the number 9 goes in the direction of the train station. The trolleybus goes to the University on Stepana Bandery Street (Степана Бандери), not too far from the centre. If you have large luggage, be prepared to buy an extra ticket for it!

There are many taxis based outside of the main airport terminal who can take you to the city centre. If your taxi isn’t metred, make sure a price is agreed before travelling.

RAIL

Lviv Railway station is located in the western part of the city, located just off of Horodots’ka Street (Городоцькa вулиці). There are several trains which travel to Kyiv each day (7-8 hours); where connections can be made to Kharkiv and Donetsk.

There are also trains heading towards the Polish cities of Warsaw and Kraków, where transfers can send you in the direction of Gdańsk, Poznań and Wrocław.

Tram numbers 1 and 9, and Marshrutka numbers 2, 66, 67 and 68 all serve the station.

ROAD

Lviv’s Central bus station is situated close to the new Lviv Arena; in the south of the city on Stryis’ka Street (Cтрійcькa вулиці). It is accessible via trolleybus number 5 and marshrutka numbers 7, 37, 57 and 71.

Buses from here travel across Ukraine to Kyiv, whilst there are also services into Polish cities such as Warsaw, Kraków, Łódź and Katowice.

IN THE CITY

In total, 10 tram routes, 11 trolleybus lines and over 75 marshrutka routes weave through Lviv, allowing access to all corners of the city.

Trams and trolleybuses are usually quite regular along the Lviv streets, but they also can be very crowded and dirty. Although a little more expensive, the marshrutkas are preferred in the city as they are generally quicker. To stop a marshrutka, just stick out your arm to flag it down.

Unless you plan on staying in Lviv for over a month, there are no discounted multi-trip public transport tickets available. However this isn’t a problem as the prices of Ukrainian public transport are very cheap.

A single tram or trolleybus fare will cost just 1.25UAH (10p), whilst a fixed-route taxi/marshrutka will set you back 2UAH (16p).

 

FOOD

 

Lviv Borshch

A Ukrainian staple, the beet soup can be found all over the country. In the Lviv region, the dish is usually served with chopped boiled sausage, sour cream, and a sprinkle of dill herbs.

Yushka

A type of soup made from fish – usually carp – and a number of root vegetables including carrot, onions, potatoes and sometimes celery. It is then seasoned with pepper and parsley.

Kasha Hrechana zi Shkvarkamy

A very simple and popular dish in Ukraine, it translates to “Buckwheat cereal with chopped, fried bacon”. Onions are fried with the bacon, sometimes in a tomato sauce to add to the flavour.

Studenetz

Similar to the Polish “Zylc”, Studenetz is a dish consisting of jellied meat (or occasionally fish). Whilst it is usually made from pig’s feet, the Eastern European “nothing goes to waste” attitude means it can even be made from the head! It is often served with dark rye bread.

Syrnyky

Popular throughout the country, Syrnyky is a type of fritter made from cottage cheese. Some variations of the dish have raisins added, before being served with sour cream and a fruit jam.

 

DRINK

 

Lvivske (Львівське)

One of the more popular beverages in Ukraine, Lvivske is now found in some neighbouring countries too. The “1715” at 4% ABV and the “Premium” at 4.7% ABV are the most popular versions of the brand. For those seeking something a little stronger, a 7% “Strong” pilsner and an 8% “Porter” Stout are also available.

Persha Privatna Brovariya (Перша Приватна Броварня)

Although not as commercial as Lvivske, Persha still manage to maintain a wide selection of beers.

The “Nacionalne” (5%) and “Platinum Svitle” (5.6%) may be the easiest to find, but the “Extra” pale lager and “Avtors’ke” dark lager (both 6.8%) are well worth a try.

 

ARENA LVIV, LVIV

 

Constructed between November 2008 and October 2011, the new 34,915 capacity Arena Lviv (Арена Львів) cost 2,287million UAH (approximately £180m) to build.

The stadium – situated in the southern part of the city – is the new home of Karpaty Lviv; replacing their former home the Ukraina Stadium.

Despite being the fourth biggest stadium in Ukraine, the Arena Lviv will be the smallest stadium to host games during the tournament.

The ground’s features include a semi-transparent roof to allow sunlight onto the pitch, and a three-storey car park beneath the stadium.

FIRST GAME

15th November 2011 saw the stadium hold its first game, as Austria travelled to face Ukraine.

Belarussian-born Dynamo Kyiv striker Artem Milevskiy became the first scorer at the ground, giving Ukraine an early lead; before an Olexandr Kucher own-goal gifted Austria a second-half equaliser.

Kucher’s day got worse just ten minutes later, and he was dismissed for a second bookable offence; but substitute Marko Dević was on hand to give the home side a last-gasp winner.

GAMES DURING THE TOURNAMENT

Three games will be contested in the city of Lviv during Euro 2012; all of them in the “Group of Death”, Group B (all times local).

Germany v Portugal – 9th June 2012 (21:45)

Denmark v Portugal – 13th June 2012 (19:00)

Denmark v Germany – 17th June 2012 (21:45)

GETTING TO THE STADIUM

Located seven-and-a-half kilometres south of the Market Square, there will be a shuttle-bus available to take supporters from the city centre to the stadium on match days.

FAN ZONE

Lviv’s 20,600 square-metre Fan Park will be located on the strip of land in the centre of Svobody Avenue (просп. Свободи), just a short walk from the Market Square.

As well as a large stage and screens broadcasting all 31 games, the 35,000 capacity fan zone will contain bars, restaurants and shops to keep fans entertained for hours; even when there are no games being played.

 

THE TEAMS

 

KARPATY LVIV (Карпати Львів)

Founded: 1963

Nickname: Zeleni Levy (Green Lions)

Honour Roll:

Soviet Cup: 1969.

Coach: Pavel Kucherov

Captain: Ihor Khudobyak

Most well-known for their recent forays into Europe, the club named after the nearby Carpathian Mountains are currently the biggest club in the city of Lviv.

Founded by a group of veterans from a local machine plant, Karpaty spent four years in the USSR Second League before their first promotion. It was whilst in the First League that Karpaty lifted their only piece of silverware, becoming the first (and only) club to win the Soviet Cup whilst in the second-tier.

1970 saw Karpaty promoted to the Soviet Premier League, where they achieved their highest pre-independence finish – 4th place – in 1976. Just one year later though, they were relegated back to the First League.

After the split of the USSR, Karpaty were installed into the Ukrainian Premier League, where they have spent 19 of the 21 seasons played. As well as achieving a third-place finish in 1998, Karpaty also reached two cup finals – losing out to Dynamo Kyiv on both occasions.

 

POGOŃ LWÓW

Founded: 1904

Nickname: Pogończycy

Honour Roll:

Polish Champions: 1922, 1923, 1925, 1926.

Formed just after the city’s first club, Czarni; Pogoń were one of the biggest and first clubs in Poland.

Changing between the Polish and Austrian leagues along with the borders, Pogoń went on to dominate the Polish leagues during the mid-1920s.

After losing form in the early thirties, Pogoń eventually returned to the top in 1939. But before the league could be finish, the Germans invaded and the league was suspended. By the time it resumed in 1945, the borders had swung westwards and the city was placed under Soviet control. The Polish population were forced over the border, and the club disbanded; with supporters forming new clubs in Poland.

In 2009; backed by the Polish FA, Pogoń Lwów rose from the ashes to participate in the Lviv regional leagues. Mostly consisting of Polish students from the city, the revived club resumes its status as the oldest-surviving Polish football club in existence. Now, the club is still finding its feet in the depths of the Ukrainian footballing pyramid.

 

ACCOMMODATION

 

George Hotel

1 Mickiewicz Square

Budget: £

Distance to Stadium: 7.1km

Distance to Airport: 6.1km

Distance to Train Station: 2.6km

Distance to Fan Park: 0.3km

 

Wien Hotel

12 Svobody Avenue

Budget: £

Distance to Stadium: 7.3km

Distance to Airport: 5.8km

Distance to Train Station: 2.5km

Distance to Fan Park: 0.0km

 

EuroHotel Lviv

6A Tershakovtsiv Street

Budget: £

Distance to Stadium: 6.7km

Distance to Airport: 6.3km

Distance to Train Station: 3.4km

Distance to Fan Park: 1.1km

 

Grand Hotel

13 Svobody Avenue

Budget: ££

Distance to Stadium: 7.3km

Distance to Airport: 5.7km

Distance to Train Station: 2.4km

Distance to Fan Park: 0.0km

 

Delice Hotel

Samchuka 8

Budget: ££

Distance to Stadium: 5.7km

Distance to Airport: 5.4km

Distance to Train Station: 3.0km

Distance to Fan Park: 1.7km

 

Hotel Opera

45 Svobody Avenue.

Budget: £££

Distance to Stadium: 7.6km

Distance to Airport: 5.8km

Distance to Train Station: 2.3km

Distance to Fan Park: 0.3km

 

Swiss Hotel

20 Knyazya Romana Street

Budget: £££

Distance to Stadium: 7.0km

Distance to Airport: 5.9km

Distance to Train Station: 2.7km

Distance to Fan Park: 0.4km

 

Leopolis Hotel

16 Teatralna Street

Budget: ££££

Distance to Stadium: 7.4km

Distance to Airport: 5.9km

Distance to Train Station: 2.5km

Distance to Fan Park: 0.1km