{"id":5030,"date":"2012-03-29T04:09:07","date_gmt":"2012-03-29T04:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stadiumguide.com\/?p=5030"},"modified":"2020-10-03T07:14:17","modified_gmt":"2020-10-03T07:14:17","slug":"lviv-2012-venue-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stadiumguide.com\/lviv-2012-venue-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Lviv 2012 Venue Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Orientation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Lviv has always been more attached to Europe than Russia. For most of its history it was either part of Poland or the Austro-Hungarian empire, until finally being cut off after the Second World War and becoming a Soviet province.<\/p>\n

And this history is visible. Walking around its UNESCO\u2013listed old town it definitely feels more like the cities across the border in Poland, than the cities further on in Ukraine. The people do consider themselves Ukrainian though, but at the same time lack any warm feelings toward Russia as they tend to do in the eastern parts of the country.<\/p>\n

Lviv lies somewhat off the tourist trail, with no other major cities in its vicinity and lacking good transport connections to further away destinations. Which is a shame, as Lviv has a lot to offer in terms of beauty. Some might say it can even compete with Polish cities such as Krakow and Wroclaw, though the city (still) lacks the shininess that renovations brought to those cities at the other side of the border.<\/p>\n

In contrast, Lviv feels a bit greyish, mysterious, which however does give the city a special character. The surrounding green rolling hills add to that sentiment.<\/p>\n

Lviv is no small city, but there is little reason to venture far out of the old town. Your orientation point is Prospekt Svobody, a large boulevard and square lined with shops, bars, and restaurants, and where the old men of the city meet on its park benches. Its most noticeable landmarks are the Opera House on the north side, and the Shevchenko monument in the middle.<\/p>\n

Prospekt Svobody is also the place where Lviv’s Fan Zone will be located.<\/p>\n

The old town, consisting of the market square, several churches, and many small cobblestone alleys, stretches out on its eastern side. The university area (Ivan Franko) and adjacent park, which lie west of Prospekt Svobody, are other noticeable areas, as are the city centre parts toward the south.<\/p>\n

The stadium<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Arena Lviv<\/a> \u2013 34,915 seats<\/p>\n

The Arena Lviv is Euro 2012\u2019s smallest stadium. It is newly built and opened in October 2011. Since then, the stadium has also been the new home of FC Karpaty Lviv.<\/p>\n

It is the typical modern arena, bowl-shaped, steep stands that go close to the pitch, no running tracks, and most seats covered.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the stadium is located far away from the old town, about 8 kilometres south, just outside the city limits. There is not much reason to go there apart from the football (assuming no further activities are organised), though there is a massive new shopping centre<\/a> across the road if you may arrive early and have some time to spare.<\/p>\n

Trolleybus 5 brings you from the city centre to the stadium (more details in the section on how to get in and around).<\/p>\n\n\n \t\t\n\t\t\t\t