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Stories, inspirations, daily life, and other adventures with Matthew Propert, an American currently living in Lviv, Ukraine

issue #2 Photo Essay ~ Lviv, Ukraine

A few photographic reasons why this city continues to enchant.

Matthew Propert

Oct 25, 2022

I found this beautiful and unnamed small garden in a back alley. I’m sure almost no-one sees it.

I usually hate getting lost. (Not that it’s much of a worry these days with iPhone GPS.) But here in Lviv, where I live most of the year, I sometimes try to lose my bearings so that I may stumble into some strange, hidden, and previously undiscovered nook. They’re everywhere. And quite often these little scenes contain wonderful juxtapositions of old European architecture and gardening and Soviet-era relics - especially in the ancient city center.

Here is a short photo essay of recent “discoveries” I’ve made while aimlessly wandering.

These tunnels, which serve as courtyard entranceways to most of the historic buildings in the city center, were designed for horse drawn carriages.

The kind of delightful old European setting that can be seen all over the city. Notice the historic car on the right.

While the city isn’t noted for grand museums and galleries, there are a few gems around. Some are quite inconspicuous, with entranceways set among residential doorways.

This ancient city, while always being home to Ukrainian people, has also been under Austrian and Polish rule. The Austrian architecture is distinct, and this building stopped me in my tracks yesterday while I was crossing the city on foot.

One of countless charming alleys in the historic city center. The small church on the left side of the image dates from the 12th century.

I don’t have to go far to find quiet beauty. This image was taken in the courtyard of my building near downtown. It’s typical on a sunny weekend day to see a kaleidoscope of fabrics drying in the open air. The colors and textures never cease to stop me in my tracks.

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