Zhovkva

Zhovkva is an easy day trip from Lviv.

Just hop on the tram the suburban bus station named "Pidzimache", and take marshrutka/bus number 151. Now apparently the 151 does stop in the centre of Lviv near the opera house, but depending on where you are staying in Lviv, will depend on which is easier. I actually went to the bus station as there were a few things I wanted to see en-route.

Now Zhovkva is no Gdansk, but it does have charm, especially concentrated in the main square. Thats where most of the main sights are situated.
The castle is in the middle of a very thorough restoration, but don't be put off. What has been finished is very good quality, and what is most interesting is that several of the curators there (as in the town hall) can speak fluent English, and will happily give you a tour of the castle, and provide you with a lot of information about the history of the castle and Zhovkva itself.

 You can see here where the restoration has gotten up to. In a couple of years time, the castle will be finished, and I can't wait to revisit it.

 These are just a couple of pictures of the main square from the tower of the town hall. It gives you some great views of the town, and there's a really fun little ad-hoc exhibition of the second world war in the star well inside the tower. Its a little bit amateurish but very charming! Also inside is a little souvenir shop, where you can get magnets, postcards and everything else you could possibly want.

This is the little wooden church on the main road heading into the centre of town. It wasn't open for visitors when I was there, but it just radiates charm and quaintness. It was also nice to see a wooden church in it's original location, having seen several in the open air museums in both Lviv and Kyiv. It's maybe five minutes walk from the main square, and I am very jealous if any of you get to go inside. Send me a picture if you do!