"Zhovka, an "Ideal Renaissance City"" Zhovkva by om_212

Zhovkva Travel Guide: 25 reviews and 78 photos

clearing up: angel on the St. Lawrence Cathedral

Vynnyky, Zólkiew, Nestorov and Zhovka

Zhovkva is a little town just 25 km to the north of Lviv with population around 13,000. it's hard to believe that this city once had been the center of the cultural and political life. nevertheless, Zhovkva happened to preserve around 40 architectural monuments, witnesses of city's once glorious past.

Some historical milestones:

1242 - the first written mentioning of the town, then called Vynnyky (tr. Wine area). the area has been inhabited by wine-makers, who had active trade with Lviv. (note, that the first written mentioning of Lviv was 14 years later).

1598 - Polish getman Zolkiewski, who was presented Vynnyky for his outstanding military deeds, renames it after his name - Zólkiew. the building of the "ideal city" starts. (Apparently, Zolkiewski, like Leonardo da Vinci, believed that a city built according to the “ideal city model” would have ideal life :)

1604 - Zhovka receives Magdeburg Right

1678 - Zhovkva becomes the favorite residence of Polish King Jan III Sobieski

1706 - Peter the Great spends quite some time in Zhovka, where he develops the strategic plan to defeat Karl XII

1951-1991 - the town is renamed to Nesterov, to commemorate a Soviet pilot Pavlo Nesterov, first to perform a "dead loop" during the IIWW, who died in a "ram attack" not far from Zhovkva

1991 - the city regains its historical name Zhovkva

the ideal and happy city?

the new city "architects"

the "ideal city" has been built by an Italian architect Petro Schaslyvyi (trans. Peter, the Happy). allegedly, if you look on the city from the air, it has a shape of a snow-flake.

one can only speculate whether the architect name had a magic influence on the city atmosphere, but here, in Zhovkva, people do look carefree and happy.

How did I finally get to Zhovkva

extremely "curious" person ;)

Despite the fact that I used to live in the area for eight years, I haven't traveled been to Zhovkva. My knowledge was limited to two facts: Zhovka is a historical place, and in 2004 the city celebrated 400 years since Magdeburg Right was granted. may be I would never visited this place if it has been for yumyum and Horscheck. a big thank you to both of you for picking up my curiosity.

Pros and Cons

Pros:historical place with splendid architecture
Cons:deteriorate state of monuments, undeveloped infrastructure

Last visit to Zhovkva: Jun 2007
Intro Updated Aug 21, 2007
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (13)

Pidsinnia (ukrainian for an arched gallery) - Zhovkva

place to catch a breath and have some... Restaurants (2)

Zhovkva still lacks places to dine, but it will catch up. for a coffee and a snack you might consider going to Pidsinnya... more travel advice

no more actions against the Ukrainian flag - Zhovkva

The City Hall Things to Do (8)

adjacent to the castle is the City Hall built in 1932. the earlier one, located in the center of the market square, has... more travel advice

Krekhiv St. Nicolas Monastery Off The Beaten Path (1)

After you have explored Zhovkva, you might consider visiting the St. Nicolas Monastery nearby. this serene and extremely... more travel advice

coats of arms and knights on the cathedral - Zhovkva

Little Wawel Things to Do (8)

St. Lavrentiy (Laurence) Cathedral the burial place for Zolkiewski, Danilowicz and Sobieski (all related to Polish King... more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All from Zhovka to Krekhiv by a mini-bus

Been to Zhovkva?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (1)

Written Jul 6, 2007

8 photos

Little Wawel - St. Lavrentiy (Laurence) Church

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (8)

Reply
- Report abuse
BillNJ Dec 20, 2009 at 4:43 AM

Interesting pages about Zhovkva. Too bad there aren't more places to eat.
Reply
- Report abuse
frankyboy5 Sep 27, 2009 at 12:29 PM

I think your pages are one of the best on the VT!
Reply
- Report abuse
OilandSun Sep 5, 2009 at 11:04 AM

Thank you for all of the wonderful comments. How did you learn so much about Zhovkva? We are leaving for Kiev on 9-9-9 & will be touring UA till 10-2-9. Again thanks.
Reply
- Report abuse
SLLiew Aug 14, 2007 at 1:37 AM

Fascinating architecture of cathedrals, monastries and historic buildings of Zhovkva. Enjoyed your detailed tips.
Reply
- Report abuse
lotharlerch Aug 13, 2007 at 12:09 PM

A great page which recalls nice memories of a daytrip from L'viv. I was less lucky with the weather than you.
Reply
- Report abuse
Aafia Jul 12, 2007 at 5:02 AM

Greetings from Cape Breton. You have some fascinating tips on Zhovkva. It saddens me all the destruction that took place. Happy travels.
Reply
- Report abuse
yumyum Jul 9, 2007 at 12:15 PM

Krekhiv monastery looks very interesting. Funny, the Laurence church was closed when we were there but I went into the green church. There were no broshures in English at the tourist office, so I have only Ukrainian ones.
Reply
- Report abuse
HORSCHECK Jul 6, 2007 at 8:30 AM

Olya, fabulous updates here. I see you have seen quite a lot including the Nativity of the Holy Virgin Church. Keep up the good work ... :-)