The medieval fairy city should necessarily have its own fortress. Lviv Citadel is one of the few buildings of a kind that have still remained in Ukraine.
The complex of fortification buildings was constructed in the specially evened mountains Kalicha, Shenbek, and Pelchynska. Austrian government worked out the fortification project after the events of 1848 – the so called Spring of Nations. The Citadel was built not for the Lviv protection from outer enemy, but for the safety of the Austrian government and frightening the citizens.
Actually, Lviv Citadel was never used as intended, and only in 1918 during the November Action, the Sich Riflemen fired from the Tower #1 on the Poles. After the several week battles the Tower was occupied by Poles and since that time has stayed half-ruined (at the moment the book depository of the Vasyl Stefanyk Library is organized there).
Citadel consists of barracks and six towers – four round and two square ones. Round towers of such type on the territory of the Austro-Hungarian empire were called Maximilian towers (on the honor of the Austrian Archduke Maximilian of Austria-Este, who was first to bring to life the drawings of the French military engineer Charles Montalembert). The Сitadel was surrounded by deep ditches.
Today, the Tower #3 is ruined, and #4 is restored but not in use. In the Tower #2, restored and refined, the hotel Citadel Inn is located. The beautiful view on the central part of the city is opened from the Citadel hills.
Visiting "Citadel Inn" Hotel & Resort you will be able to admire Lviv from the unusual perspective – in the retrospect of time, among the luxuriance of Austrian imperial style, in the midst of majestic views and medieval spirit.
Citadel Inn is the place where the exquisite interior and impeccable service are combined, and every guest feels himself the chosen one.
