Lviv (Lvov, Lwow, Loewenburg, Lemberg, Leopolis) - is the city in western Ukraine. Its population is approximately 800.000. It was founded in the middle of the 13th century by Prince Danylo Galytskiy, and named after his son Leo ("Lion") Leopolis.
In different periods of its existence Lviv was a part of Poland, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russian empire and USSR. Since 1991 it is a part of the independent Ukraine.
There is a great number of places having historical, architectural and religious importance (some of them belong to the 13th century), there are more than 30 museums of history, ethnography, arms and art galleries. Lviv has always been a significant educational center of Eastern Europe - Ivan Franko National University, Lvivska Politekhnika University and other higher educational establishments are located there.
In 1998 the historical center of Lviv was included into the "List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of UNESCO". We can name just a few places of historical importance: Rynok ("Market") square of Renaissance style (the 16-18th century); Armenian Cathedral (the 14th century); The Latin Cathedral (the 15th century); The Boim's Chapel (the 17th century); Renaissance ensemble of the Church of the Assumption (the 16th century); The Church of Body of Christ of the Dominican Order (the 18th century); St. George Cathedral (the 19th century); Lviv Opera House (the 19th century); Stryj park (founded in 1887). A lot of ancient fortification and religious buildings are situated around Lviv - Olesko castle, Pidgirtsi castle. Not far from Lviv there are balneology centers in Truskavets, Morshyn and Skhidnytsia, ski-centers in Slavsko and Tysovets.
