Attractions of Lviv region

The Zenyk Art Gallery (ZAG ​​Gallery) in Lviv was opened in 2025 by the founder of the We and the World charitable foundation Zynoviy ​​Kozytskyi, dedicating it to the memory of his grandson Zenyk Kozytskyi Jr. According to the founder's idea, this is the first cultural space in Ukraine that combines art, accessibility and innovation.

The gallery's mission is to professionally present Ukrainian artists on the international stage, as well as to organize exhibitions of foreign artists in Lviv, which contributes to global cultural dialogue. There are modern exhibition halls, an art shop of Ukrainian brands, a book zone with selections of art literature, a 3D zone for interactive exhibitions.

The gallery's barrier-free space allows every visitor, including people with disabilities, to freely interact with art through interactive exhibitions, events and unique performances. The surrounding and internal spaces are adapted for wheelchair users. Information panels with Braille, audio guides, videos with subtitles are provided.

Educational and artistic events are held for different age groups, art therapy for veterans and socially vulnerable groups.

The oldest part of Belz, at the confluence of the Rechytsya stream with the Solokiya river at the entrance to the city from the Velyki Mosty side, is called Zamochok, because it was here that the historic Belz castle was located. Its first wooden fortifications were erected in the 11th century, but soon the city was destroyed by the Mongol-Tatars.

During the Lithuanian-Polish times, the castle was revived. It remained wooden, but was strengthened by powerful earth ramparts and protected by a defensive moat, the traces of which can still be traced. The castle has not been preserved to this day, but later religious buildings remind of it, giving the territory of the Zamochok a romantic look.

In 1906-1911, the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built on the castle grounds in the Art Nouveau style with Neo-Gothic elements, according to the project of the architect Kalikst Krzyzhanowski (now it is the church of Saint Nicholas of the OCU).

In 1933-1938, the architect Witold Rawski completed the complex of sacred buildings at the Zamochok. Next to the church, he built a belfry in the form of a castle tower in the Art Nouveau style with elements of romanticism. One of the historical coats of arms of Belz in the form of a griffin is placed on its facade. Another coat of arms of Belz - a harmash with a cannon - can be seen on the triarch entrance gate. The chapel of Saint Valentyn and the Way of the Cross were also built in the modern style in the form of a brick fence with small chapel towers resembling defensive walls.

The complex of sacred buildings of the Zamochok tract is part of the State Historical and Cultural Reserve in the city of Belz.

Zhovkva Castle is an outstanding architectural monument of the Renaissance era, the main element of the fortification system of the "ideal city" of Zhovkva. The building is partially museumized, restoration is in progress.

The construction of the castle in Zhovkva began in 1594 by the city's founder Stanisław Żółkiewski, the author of the first project was Pavlo Shchaslyvy. The castle is quadrangular, with towers located at the corners, connected by covered galleries with two-story buildings. The entrance with the Serlian portal is fortified by a four-story tower. In the courtyard there is a palace and office premises. In 1606, the "Zvirynets" garden was built, in which bison, deer and fallow deer were bred for hunting.

At the end of the 17th century, Zhovkva Castle was the summer residence of the Polish king Jan III Sobieski, and became one of the richest royal palaces in Europe (in 1676, celebrations were held here in honor of Sobieski's victory over the Turks near Vienna). Hetman Ivan Mazepa and Tsar Peter I stayed in the palace. Later, the castle became the property of the city.

Until recently, various municipal institutions, a school and even residential apartments were located here.

Now the Zhovkva Castle Museum-Reserve is a branch of the Lviv National Art Gallery. A museum exposition has been opened in the Eastern Building, which acquaints visitors with the history of the city, the development of Zhovkiv fortifications, as well as outstanding personalities who lived or visited Zhovkiv. The new exposition is dedicated to the events of the Revolution of Dignity and the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The Frontal Building hosts the exhibition "Glory of the Family - Glory of the People: Militaris, Sacrum, Artis", which reveals key aspects of the history and art of Western Ukrainian lands of the 17th - early 19th centuries and demonstrates the multidimensional image of Zhovkva through the prism of military history, sacred art and cultural evolution.

The Guest Building of the castle is preparing for the opening of the exhibition "The Path of Creation. Sacred Sculpture of Eastern Galicia of the Late 17th - Early 19th Centuries", which will present the largest collection of Baroque sculpture in Ukraine.

The Zhydachiv Land Museum is part of the Hetman Ivan Vyhovsky Memorial Museum, which in turn is part of the Lviv National Art Gallery. Since 2013, the museum has been located in the premises of the former school in Zhydachiv.

The museum presents the most important events of the historical and cultural life of Zhydachiv - the chronicle Udech, the first written mention of which dates back to 1164. In particular, archaeological finds discovered during research on the territory of the former Zhydachiv Castle (XI-XIV centuries) and Castle Hill (XIV-XVI centuries) are exhibited. Among them: the Polovtsian idol of the VI-VII centuries, fragments of Cossack weapons, tools, iron, copper, stone products, etc.

Models of ancient castles that existed in Zhydachiv, as well as models of many other famous architectural monuments of Ukraine, are presented.

The exposition highlights the life and activities of famous historical figures associated with the Zhydachiv region. Among them are portraits and copies of portraits of the Danylovych, Zhevusky, Khodorivsky, Vyhovsky and other Cossack hetmans. The art gallery presents paintings and sculptures by famous Ukrainian artists of the 20th century. The permanent exhibition "Folk Embroidery of the Zhydachiv Region" displays the best examples of folk art of the middle of the 20th century.