Lwow-Volhynia, north of Lwow

 This rural, agricultural landscape features villages that are generally modest, centering on small wooden churches and local markets.  Most are Eastern Orthodox Ruthenians and with some Roman Catholics.  Some religious tension existed, even though there was an attempt to bridge Catholic and Orthodox traditions through the "Uniate Church."  There might be sporadic raids from Cossacks or Tatars, but these were few.

Lwow itself is one of the few cities granted Magdeburg rights, which gives it legal and financial independence from the Polish crown. This self-governing status allowed Lwów's council to enact local laws and control its own taxation, making it both a powerful entity and somewhat unique for the time. The city’s charter allowed it to enforce guild regulations tightly, creating a well-organized structure for artisans and tradespeople who adhered to strict standards in everything from brewing to leatherworking. The Armenian community, which had its own legal system within the city, governed itself through the Armenian Court, a local institution permitted by the crown—a rare legal exception within the Commonwealth.

Lwow is also known for its multi-tiered fortifications, which include not only city walls but bastions and fortified gates, such as the famous Krakow Gate, designed to within any battery. These defenses have proven critical as Lwow held out against multiple sieges. The city has been celebrated for its resilience during the Khmelnytsky Uprising, notably repelling a Cossack-Tatar siege in 1648. This successful defense has cemented Lwow's reputation as a bulwark of the Commonwealth's eastern frontier and earned it the personal gratitude of King Jan II Casimir—who has exempted the city paying taxes until the year 1653.  The image below shows the gate as it was, before its dismantling in the 19th century.