Skip to content
TravelHub
Lviv · Ukraine

Ivan Franko Park: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Residents cross the landscaped paths daily to trade dense urban streets for quiet alleys, making this old municipal grounds their regular outdoor retreat.

Map of places
About the place

Ivan Franko Park is the oldest public park in Ukraine, established on former Jesuit land and shaped into a municipal retreat.

Private owners Antonio Massari, a Venetian consul, and the Szolc-Wolfowicz family held this land before transferring it to the Jesuit order. The monastic community erected an inn with Italian architectural styling alongside a brewery, establishing the grounds as the Jesuit Gardens. A defensive rampart wall encircled the estate during an assault by Moscow forces, preceding the seizure of monastic plots under Holy Roman Emperor Joseph.

Read on

The imperial decree converted the secluded enclave into a municipal park. Restaurateur Johann Höcht subsequently leased the grounds to establish a French resort, diversifying the park away from monastic isolation. Horticulturist Karl Bauer later redesigned the perimeter into a landscaped public park, replacing commercial resort structures with green promenades. Known formerly as Kościuszko Park, it remains the oldest park in the country.

Associations
  • Jesuit GardensThe grounds held a monastic brewery and an inn designed with Italian styling.
  • Karl BauerThe horticulturist redesigned the property into an expansive landscaped park.
  • Johann HöchtThe restaurateur converted the seized estate into a private French resort.
  • Siege defenseHostile sieges forced defenders to enclose the open grounds behind earthen ramparts.
Facts
  • The site is recognized as the oldest park in the country.
  • Venetian consul Antonio Massari held the territory prior to Jesuit ownership.
  • Holy Roman Emperor Joseph ordered the establishment of a municipal park after confiscating monastic plots.
  • Horticulturist Karl Bauer redesigned the former resort grounds into a landscaped municipal park.
Source: Wikipedia

Getting there and staying

2 sources · As of November 3, 2026
Source: TravelHub · OurAirports (public domain)

Google reviews

What visitors say on Google Maps

Rating and recent reviews from Google Maps load on request.