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"Zhovka, an "Ideal Renaissance City"" a Zhovkva Travel Page by om_212

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"Zhovka, an "Ideal Renaissance City"" a Zhovkva Travel Page by om_212

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om_212   
Always ready to travel! (just give me 30 min. to pack :)


Real Name: Olya
Lives In: Kiev, UA
Member Since: May 15, 2007
VT Rank: 558

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Page Views: 1,106            Last Visit to Zhovkva: June, 2007      

Zhovka, an "Ideal Renaissance City"

by om_212 - last update: Aug 21, 2007

Vynnyky, Zólkiew, Nestorov and Zhovka

clearing up: angel on the St. Lawrence Cathedral
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 new city "architects"

the ideal and happy city?

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

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.
extremely "curious" person ;)

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"historical place with splendid architecture"
Cons:"deteriorate state of monuments, undeveloped infrastructure"
om_212's Zhovkva Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 8 - Photos: 27
 
Restaurants
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
Hotels & Accommodations
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
Tips: 1 - Photos: 5
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
 
Transportation
Tips: 2
Local Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips

om_212's Zhovkva Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Little Wawel - St. Lavrentiy (Laurence) ChurchJune, 2007 8

Comments for om_212 about Zhovkva
frankyboy5 Sun Sep 27, 2009 20:29 UTC
 I think your pages are one of the best on the VT!
OilandSun Sat Sep 5, 2009 19:04 UTC
 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.
SLLiew Tue Aug 14, 2007 09:37 UTC
 Fascinating architecture of cathedrals, monastries and historic buildings of Zhovkva. Enjoyed your detailed tips.
lotharlerch Mon Aug 13, 2007 20:09 UTC
 A great page which recalls nice memories of a daytrip from L'viv. I was less lucky with the weather than you.
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