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HOSTEL-TOUR
«Ancient Castles of Lvov (Lviv)
«Ancient Castles of Lvov (Lviv)
- travel in time»
(2-days tour)
Lvov (Lviv) welcomes dear guests with its heart and entire soul! The charm and the individuality of the city, named after the son of Prince Donylo Galytskyj, Leo, creates a harmony in its diversity, combines different motifs from all eras, beginning with the 13th century. The central part of Lviv is proclaimed a historical-architectural reserve and is included into “World Heritage List” of UNESCO.
Lvov's special aura is an inspiration. For many-outstanding artists, actors, singers and men of letters the city was a muse!
Lvov's special aura is an inspiration. For many-outstanding artists, actors, singers and men of letters the city was a muse!
1st day (wonderful walking excursion around Lvov (Lviv))
- Meeting at the train station and transfer to the Hostel
- Breakfast
| High Castle: the panorama of Lvov (Lviv) |
Fascinating bird’s-eye view of the city. The High Castle, built by the Polish King Kazimierz III, heavily fortified and located on a steep hill, 300 metres high, remained inaccessible for more than 300 years. It was only in 1648 that the High Castle was seized for the first time, by the Cossacks of Maxym Kryvonis. In 1672 Turks captured it almost without a fight. Later, little was done to save the Castle from decay, and in the 1870s it was dismantled, with a segment of its southern wall being preserved. |
| Powder tower (1554-1556 years) |
It was built from uncut stone. Thickness of round walls is 2.5 m! At a height of 3 story building under sharp roof. Tower was used for powder and weapon storage |
| St. Michael’s church |
St. Michael's church was built as the Roman-Catholic church of the Barefooted Carmelite monastery. Its blessing is connected with a name of Ukrainian patron St. Michael who was the protector of the Lord's Grave. In 1991 the church and the monastery were presented to the monks of the Studite Order of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. Metropolitan Andrei Sheptyts’kyi founded this Order in 1920s. The monks of the Order conform to the rules of old Christian Slavonic-Byzantine traditions, they work actively upon missionary and educational problems. Wall paintings in the church were made by Italian painter G.Pedretti and his pupil B.Mazurkiewicz (1731-1732) There is a unique marble altar of the XVII century in the shape of small church (tempietto) in a presbyter. |
| The Church of Virgin’s Assumption |
Armenians have appeared in Lvov in XIII century. For construction Government has apportioned them one of the best plots of the city. There they have built Virmens’ka street which was considered the center of compact inhabitation of Lvovyans (of Armenian nationality). Armenians wanted to recreate abroad a peace of their native land. First of all in 1356-1363 they build the Church of Virgin’s Assumption which later has become Armenian cathedral. Cathedral was built with money of Armenian merchants under guidance of Lvov famous architector Doring. Armenian cathedral is one of the most ancient churches in Lviv. In 2001 this sacral place was returned to the renewed Armenian Apostle church. The name of the church was also renewed and became the Virgin Mary's Dormition church. There is an Armenian cemetery with old grave monuments (XVI-XVII) and the wooden chapel “Calvary” (XVIII) in the yard of the church. Next to the church, which is the pearl of Ukrainian sacral architecture of the Renaissance, there is Kornyakt's tower. In old times it was the highest building in Lviv. In the XVII-XVIII centuries the Virgin Mary's Dormitior church was a distinguished center of the Christian culture of Ukraine, a sacral place of the Lviv Orthodox Brotherhood. |
| Dominican Church (XVIII century, architector Yan de Vitt) |
The architector of the Dominican church – Yan de Vitt, whose sister-in-law was beautiful Greek woman Sofia Glyavone de Vitt. In her name famous dendropark in Uman (“Sofievka”) was named. Very beautiful church with 18 baroque wooden figures of Dominican order’s saint people (middle XVIII century). Ensemble also includes the monastery (XVI-XVII century.) and the bell tower (1865). |
| Ethnographic museum |
Ethnographic museum is a subsection of Institute of Nationalities of Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences. It’s collection counts about 100 000 of the unique displays. This museum is the only one which specializes on ethnography. It belongs to the European association of ethnographic museums. |
| Jesuit Caves under Roman- Catholic Church |
Roman-Catholic church was built in 1610-1630 by Italian architecture Djakomo Briano by the example of the main Jesuit temple in Rome. It has become the first building of the baroque epoch in Lvov. At that time the church was very huge: 26 m height. Caves under the church were made for different purposes. Monks used them as a secret passage upstairs. Torture instruments were found there as well as sarcophagus of ХVIII century of archbishop Vizhitsky, who was suspected being a vampire. The salt of the excursions in underground caves is a ghost of “Black monk”. |
| Opera House |
One of the most beautiful Opera Houses in Europe. |
| Open-air bazaar “Vernisazh” |
The biggest open-air bazaar in Ukraine. Her you can find unique Ukrainian works of art, traditional Ukrainian souvenirs, presents. Paintings, famous old-Ukrainian undershirts, traditional cloth with embroidery, woodwork, glass-ware… You will not leave without a present! |
- Lunch
| "Rynok" Square |
“Rynok” (from Ukrainian - market place) Square has appeared in XІV century and is an example of typical square of medieval western-european city. It served as a center of trade and social life of Lvov. Square ensemble consisted of 44 buildings with town council in the middle. Each building of the Rynok Square has its own history and is worth of attention! All 44 buildings were built by request of the elite of Lvov, earls, merchants. The most common type of building was a three-storeyed one, with three windows on each floor. The walls were covered with carpets, which later gave way to plaster. Furniture, mostly made of oak, solid, intricately carved and lavishly decorated; oriental carpets on the floor; kitchenware of silver and tin (which used to be almost as expensive as silver); glassware, often of colored glass; clocks in bronze or gilded wood — these were to show the wealth of a house-owner. Paintings and books were not scarce in the town. Preference was given to Italian and Dutch painting; libraries with dozens or hundreds of volumes were quite common. |
| Drugstore - museum |
Over 2 and half centuries the oldest drugstore of Lvov invites its customers. It is the ONLY operating drugstore-museum in Ukraine and in whole Europe! Along with operating drugstore you will visit unique museum complex which demonstrates various rare exhibits (about 3000 units). |
VARENYK PARTY in the hostel – unforgettable experience!
Together with your friends try different fillings!
2-nd day
- Breakfast
Excursion to “The Golden Horseshoe” – the ancient castles of Lvov (Lviv) region (Oleskyj Castle - an outstanding monument of architecture of the XIV – XVII c., Zolochivskyj Castle (XVII c.), Svirzhskyj Castle (XVI c.), Pomoryanskyj Castle (XVI c.).
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Oleskyj Castle. In XIV century it was old Russian fortress. In XV – XVI centuries the Castle has become baron residence. In 1620 it was rebuilt in the manner of Italian Renaissance. In 1629 the polish King Yan III Sobeskyj was born here. He liked this castle very much and like to stay here very often. Yan III has gathered numerous collection of art works. |
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Zolochivskyj Castle. The Castle was built in 1630 as a citadel with bastions. In the period of XVII-XVIII сentury Sobeskyis and Rodzvills owned it. In the courtyard the Great Palace and Chinese Palace are situated. In the beauty of this old Castle You will feel yourself as a medieval knight! |
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Svirzhskyj Castle. Very romantic Castle of XVI century situated on the bank of the river and little lake! Next to it you will find very beautiful Roman-Catholic Church which was built in 1541 in the Renaissance style. Here well-known movie “D’artan’yan and 3 musketeers” was made. According to the legend long long time ago polish monk Yan Kasper was immured alive. From those times his soul didn’t find any rest. People say that sometimes you can notice him walking around Castle. |
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Pomoryanskyj Castle. The Castle was built here in the first half of 16-th century in place of wooden fortress that was built here in 1340-1350 after the order of King Kazimir the Great. This Castle was the favorite residence of polish King Yan Sobeckyj. He has spent 25000 of golden coins. According to the legend, once upon a time young Yan (he was not a king yet) went hunting and got lost. By accident he met the monk who lived in the cave very close to Pomoryans. Yan spent the night there. In the morning the monk told him his dream: he saw Yan with crown on his head. In 2 weeks after that Yan was elected a King. King Yan Sobeskyj has granted land to the monk where monk has built the monastery. |
- Lunch in old cafe “Gridnitsa” which is situated in the castle. Feel the atmosphere of olden times!
- Free time.
- Departure
This is Lvov (Lviv)!
If You think You are still missing out on something, come up to us!
Now You will see for sure that Lvov (Lviv) is worth visiting!
Now You will see for sure that Lvov (Lviv) is worth visiting!
Choose what to do in the evening in Lvov (Lviv):
• Opera House; • Movie night in “Kinopalace”; • Picture-gallery; • Numerous coffee-houses
Ukrainian Youth Hostel Association
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