L’viv
Ukraine
June 16, 2018
I decide to rent a car for a few days and drive from L’viv to Uzhhorod and back.
Along the way I visit several villages and rural churches.
The mountain scenery is quite lovely.
On the way back to L’viv I stop for lunch. I order soup and salad and potato pancakes.
In fact, throughout my trip in Ukraine I feast on food from “the Old Country”
Palanok Castle
Mukacheve
Transcarpathia
Ukraine
June 15, 2018
How can I resist?
An hour’s drive east from Uzhhorod near the Austro-Hungary-Czech town of Mukacheve, the hilltop Palanok Castle pops up from the surrounding plain. How can I resist the climb? (Actually, there is a parking lot about half way up.)
“This 14th Century castle is famous as the site where Croatian-Hungarian princess Ilona Zrini held off the Austrian Emperor’s army before finally capitulating in 1688.”
Uzhhorod
Transcarpathia
Ukraine
June 14, 2018
Hello,
Can you imagine?
At a Philharmonia concert last night, the local orchestra played two of my favorite pieces: the complete incidental music to Midsummer Night’s Dream Op.61 by Felix Mendelssohn and after a brief intermission Anastasia Dziciak, a young Ukrainian pianist, performed the Piano Concerto in A minor Op.16 by Edvard Grieg. The price of admission was 50 Hryvnia (gryvna), or about $2.00 US!
The magnificent Philharmonia with its carved Moorish style façade is certainly the most impressive edifice in Uzhhorod. It lies in Theatric Square. Built in 1904, Philharmonia began life as the Uzhhorod Synagogue! Before World War Two, 85,000 Jews lived in the area.
L'viv
pop 728,350
Ukraine
June 10. 2018
Nataliya is my excellent, imformative and gracious guide here in L'viv.
We wander together in the City Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and then climb the hill for a panoramic view.
I am intrigued by an image of Christ atop the old Chapel of Boim. The figure is seated in a thoughtful pose that reminds me of "The Thinker," the Auguste Rodin sculpture. Is there any connection between the two?
I am especially saddened at the site and the ruins of the Golden Rose Synagogue. Also known as the Nachmanowicz Synagogue, it was the oldest Jewish place of worship in Ukraine. The synagogue was built in 1582 and was destroyed by the Nazis 1942.
L’viv
Ukraine
June 8, 2018
The long history of L’viv is complicated and bloody.
Settled as early as the 5th Century, L’viv has been invaded and occupied and settled by Tartars, Poles, Swedes, Hungarians, Turks, Austrians, Czechs, Germans and Russians. Before the War, Jews made up 30% of the local population.
The varied cultures have left their mark on this now colorful and photogenic city.
