Lviv is a city that impresses with its cultural heritage and wealth of art. Visitors worldwide come here to enjoy its unique atmosphere and experience the spirit of past eras that intertwine with modernity.
One of Lviv’s artistic highlights is its galleries, each with its unique history and character.
From the oldest National Museum named after Andrey Sheptytsky to the modern Mercury Center for Intellectual Art – we’ve compiled a TOP-7 list of the top seventies that every art lover should visit.
National Museum named after Andrey Sheptytsky
The ColleThist Lviv Museum has a collection of 175,000 national culture and art artifacts. Its particular pride is the world’s richest collection of Ukrainian sacred art from the 12th to the 18th centuries, with the most valuable being its icon paintings from the 14th to the 18th centuries.
Additionally, the museum holds one of Europe’s most valuable collections of written culture and printing history, the foundation of which was laid by Metropolitan Sheptytsky himself. Professor I. Swientsitsky continued to enrich the collection based on scientific grounds.
The museum also displays paintings by artists from the Dnieper and Western Ukraine from the 19th to the early 20th century. Moreover, temporary exhibitions dedicated to Ukrainian and foreign artists are regularly held here.
In addition to the tours, the museum offers thematic activities, tours for people with disabilities, workshops, educational games for children, and more.
Address: Lviv, Svobody Ave., 20
Ticket price: varies by exhibition
Автор фото Wereskowa, WikipediaArt Center “Dzyga”
The “Dzyga” Art Center consists of a contemporary art gallery with constantly changing exhibitions, a conceptual café hosting various events, and a store.
Over its 25-year operation, the center has hosted over 500 exhibitions of Ukrainian and international artists, over a thousand concerts and festivals, about 400 literary presentations, and other educational events.
Address: Lviv, Virmenska St., 35
Ticket price: usually free
Museum of Ideas
The museum was established over thirty years ago. It is the home of the ancient Bernardine Monastery, but it is more than an artistic space where bold ideas are born and ambitious cultural projects are realized.
The idea behind the museum’s creation belongs to the famous Lviv artist and gallery owner Oles Dzindra. The museum has been the birthplace of many artistic initiatives, including the international independent film festival KinoLev.
The museum currently displays work by Ukrainian artists, including paintings and embroidered shirts. After enjoying the art, visitors can indulge in culinary delights in the museum’s traditional Galician-style dining area, where various artistic events are held. Additionally, the museum has a glassblowing workshop.
Address: Lviv, Valova St., 18A
Ticket price: usually free
Gallery “HotArtHol”
This youth gallery was established in 2020 in the Gnaty Khotkevych Palace. It was opened to showcase the works of young Ukrainian artists and bring their ideas to life through visual, audio, and multimedia arts.
The gallery exhibits icons on glass, graphics, paintings, photographs, and other artistic works. Exhibitions can be both collective and individual.
The organizers pay special attention to exhibitions dedicated to the tragedy of the full-scale Russian invasion. Among these, the exhibition “Cultural Deoccupation of Mariupol” was held.
Address: Lviv, Khotkevych Palace, Kushevych St., 1
Ticket price: free
If you enjoy museums that preserve our history, read about the 10 leading museums of Ukraine that you must visit.
Icon Art Gallery
This is a contemporary sacred art gallery founded in 2010.
The gallery’s creators aim to introduce people to the best examples of sacred art, which combines traditions with contemporary global cultural contexts and artistic trends.
Most gallery exhibitions are dedicated to sacred works, including modern icons, particularly on glass and audiovisual projects.
Currently, the gallery displays icons created by artist Oksana Vynnychok.
Address: Lviv, Virmenska St., 26
Ticket price: free
Gallery “Zelena Kanapa”
This private gallery was founded in 2006 in a medieval Armenian court. I highlight works by Ukrainian artists, mainly from Lviv, and conduct educational activities.
The exhibition at “Zelena Kanapa” changes every three to four weeks.
Additionally, there is a shop offering a variety of original jewelry, ceramics, interior decoration elements, paintings, and sculptures.
Address: Lviv, Virmenska St., 7
Ticket price: free
Mercury Center for Intellectual Art
The Mercury Center for Intellectual Art opened in February 2024. It is one of Lviv’s “youngest” galleries. The owners position Mercury as a hub for communication between people and art.
“Our mission is to reveal the world of art as a worldview, explore and introduce the phenomenon of ‘intellectual art’ to the public space, form a new segment of museum products based on it, and develop an educational platform and art market,” say the owners.
The center has 1,000 square meters of exhibition space, and the exhibition is divided into four halls, each conceptually different.
The gallery collection currently contains over 6,000 paintings created by Ukrainian artists from the early 20th century to the present day.
On average, the center receives 140 visitors per day.
Address: Lviv, Adam Mickiewicz Square, 10
Ticket price: 300 UAH – full ticket (includes access to all 4 exhibition halls), 150 UAH – exhibition ticket (includes access to 2 exhibition halls)
