Monument to Ivan Fyodorov, Lviv (must see)

The Monument to Ivan Fyodorov stands in one of Lviv’s most historically layered areas, near the entrance to the city’s old book market. It honours Ivan Fyodorov, the pioneering 16th-century printer whose work helped shape the development of printing across Eastern Europe. Fyodorov settled in Lviv after leaving Moscow, and in 1574, he produced the Apostolos, considered one of the earliest dated printed books in Ukrainian territory. His workshop and legacy turned the city into an early regional centre of book production, making him a key figure in Lviv’s cultural identity.

Created in 1977 by sculptors Valentyn Borysenko and Valentyn Podolskyi, the monument presents Fyodorov holding an open book, captured in a calm yet purposeful pose. Its modernist style contrasts with the surrounding architecture, allowing the sculpture to stand out in a space defined by older façades and narrow streets. The design emphasizes Fyodorov’s role as a transmitter of knowledge, highlighting the moment when printed texts began to transform literacy and learning in the region.

Nearby, the open-air book market extends the monument’s theme into everyday life. Vendors set up tables filled with old volumes, postcards, maps, and prints, creating a lively environment that reflects the city’s long relationship with literature. The square naturally draws both casual passersby and visitors who come specifically to see one of Lviv’s cultural landmarks.

For tourists, the monument offers a clear link between the city’s past and its ongoing appreciation for books and scholarship. It stands not only as a tribute to an influential printer but also as a reminder of Lviv’s historical place within the broader story of publishing and intellectual exchange in Eastern Europe.