Masochism: Leopold Ritter von Sacher-Masoch

Lviv is proud of its citizens, both the wicked and the holy. Leopold von Sacher-Masoch is remembered for the clinical term for morbidly obsessive behaviour, and is one of the darker characters of the Habsburg Empire. While he studied and wrote in Prague, Germany and Italy, the novelist’s father was Spanish by birth (but from Austrian Prague) and worked as the chief of police in Lemberg (Lviv), which was then part of Austria. His mother was a dainty Ruthenian noble who had her child Leopold nursed by a Russian peasant woman to give him vigour. He studied and practised law but turned to writing stories that dealt with his own childhood fantasies. His novel Venus in Furs is a vivid expression of humiliation and suffering – much like his stormy marriage: allegedly he regularly beat his wife whenever she refused to whip him. The actual term “masochism” was coined by the German neurologist Richard von Krafft-Ebing, who referred to the novelist in his scientific work Psycopathia Sexualis and defined Leopold’s mentality as that of someone with an unbearable urge to be controlled by the will of another.

MASOCH CAFÉ

This interesting eatery was inspired by Leopold Ritter von Sacher-Masoch and is dedicated to his memory. This the world’s only monument to the novelist also sells whips, chains, masochism paraphernalia and literature. The menu, which can be purchased as a souvenir (in Ukrainian only), is loaded with fabulous and unusual dishes. Enjoy ”perverse cuisine” and “stimulating cocktails” – and, if you’re lucky, the waitresses will handcuff and whip you free of charge.

Destination: Ukraine