History Overview: Galicia, Lviv, and the Legacy of Rus’

Welcome! If you’re tracing family roots in Galicia or just curious about the rich, tangled history of Lviv and Western Ukraine, you’re in the right place. I originally set out to create a few help pages for my genealogy section, but as I learned more, the history turned out to be even more fascinating—full of twists, migrations, and changing identities. That inspired me to dig deeper into how Galicia, Lviv, and their people have changed over the centuries. I also wanted to understand the wider story behind the roots of these lands, and how Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia became what they are today. I hope these pages help you make better sense of your ancestors’ journeys and the big picture of Eastern Europe.
You’ll also find a section with extra links to web resources for anyone who wants to keep digging into the history of Lviv and the Galicia–Volhynia region.
Just a note: I’ve done my best to keep things neutral and fact-based, using only historical sources I could find. These pages don’t claim to have the final answer on every historical debate—there are many perspectives and disagreements out there—but hopefully, my small research can help you form your own view.

Lviv Timeline: Names & Identities
Discover the timeline and meaning of Lviv’s many historical names—Lviv, Lvov, Lwów, Lemberg, and Leopolis. Explore how local populations identified themselves, how the city’s identity changed through centuries of Rus’, Polish, Austrian, Russian, and Ukrainian rule, and see tables on Lviv’s empires, religions, and demographics from medieval times to today.

Galicia History (1772–Present): Empires, Borders, and People
Explore how Galicia went from being a part of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire to becoming modern Western Ukraine. Find out who lived here—Ukrainians, Poles, Jews, Armenians, and many others—and how the region changed with new borders, wars, and waves of people moving in and out. This is just a short overview to help you get started, whether you’re looking for family history or just curious about Galicia’s unique story! See also: 100+ Cities & Towns of Historic Galicia with their names in multiple languages—great for genealogy research.

Galicia-Volhynia History: Origins According to the Chronicles
Curious about where Galicia really started? This page goes way back to the medieval days—when Galicia-Volhynia was a powerful “Rus’” (or “Ruthenian”) principality. You’ll find map of Kievan Rus’, a list of key dates, and stories from the ancient chronicles. If you want to see how Galicia grew out of Kievan Rus’, and learn about its early rulers and names, this is the place to start!

Legacy of Kievan Rus’: Identities, Languages, and Successor States
Ever wondered what “Rus’”, “Ruthenian”, “Russian”, or “Ukrainian” really mean? This page takes a closer look at how these names and identities changed over time, as the old Rus’ lands split up and new nations grew. Ukrainians, Belarusians, and Russians often remember the same history in different ways! My goal was to make sense of it all for myself—using real historical facts and keeping things as neutral as possible. I hope my research helps you piece things together too, especially if you’re curious about where today’s identity debates in Eastern Europe come from.

On Historical Sources and Accuracy
If you have concerns or questions about the accuracy of the historical information presented here, note that modern technology—including advanced tools like AI—allows anyone to search, scan, and analyze a vast range of original sources: medieval chronicles, church records, and international documents from every era. The best way to understand history is to look directly at these primary sources whenever possible. Rather than relying on common answers—which are often shaped by politics or current events—I ask you to seek out the original evidence, ask for sources, and compare different accounts. This page strives to do the same, aiming for transparency and accuracy based on the best available documentation.

Explore More: Lviv & Galicia in Depth

Curious to go deeper? These hand-picked resources offer timelines, local stories, and expert overviews to help you learn more about Lviv and the wider Galicia–Volhynia region.

Lviv – All You Need to Know

Lviv – Wikipedia – Start here for everything: Lviv’s geography, history, culture, and modern life—all in one place.

History of Lviv – Wikipedia – The full story from ancient settlements to today’s vibrant city.

Timeline of Lviv – Wikipedia – See Lviv’s major events in order, from medieval battles to modern milestones.

Lvov Jewish History Tour – Jewish Virtual Library – Explore Lviv’s rich Jewish heritage, including historic synagogues and cultural sites.

Lviv in Other Languages

Львів (Ukrainian Wikipedia)
Львов (Russian Wikipedia)
Lwów (Polish Wikipedia)
Lwiw/Lemberg (German Wikipedia)

Galicia–Volhynia History

Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia – Wikipedia – Find out about the medieval state, its rulers, and how it shaped the region’s future.

History of Galicia (Eastern Europe) – Wikipedia – Covers everything from Red Ruthenia to Habsburg rule, emigration, and more.

Galicia under Habsburg Rule – Habsburger.net – Life in Galicia during the Austro-Hungarian era, with stories of daily life and major changes.