Almost opposite to the Powder Tower is another arsenal named Royal (Korolevshy Arsenal) to distinguish it from the Town Arsenal.  Royal Arsenal is located on the podvalnaya 13 st.

From 1939 till nowadays it houses the Regional Historical Archives.Royal Arsenal was built in 1630 by directive of Wladyslaw IV Waza – it was used as an [...]]]>

Almost opposite to the Powder Tower is another arsenal named Royal (Korolevshy Arsenal) to distinguish it from the Town Arsenal.  Royal Arsenal is located on the podvalnaya 13 st.

From 1939 till nowadays it houses the Regional Historical Archives.Royal Arsenal was built in 1630 by directive of Wladyslaw IV Waza – it was used as an arsenal for the weapons.  Royal Arsenal was built  by the Commandant of the Lvov fortress, Pavel Grodzitsky, a military engineer and architect. Royal Arsenal is probably one of the most charming relics of ancient Lvov architecture.

The very purpose of the edifice demanded clarity, simplicity and austerity of style and ruled out all attempts at ostentatious magnificence and exuberance. Nevertheless the building is utterly free of the gloominess inherent in fortified constructions and gladdens the eye with lightness and elegance. The central, or Southern facade begins with a simple arched portal, topped by two stone cannons symbolizing the purpose of the building. Although their muzzles are raised there is nothing formidable about them. The entire second floor has been constructed as an arcade balcony with three bays. The arcade is supported by slender Tuscan-style semi-columns. The third floor is typical baroque with a triangular pediment, a balcony framed by two vases and embellished with volutes and scrolls.

The arsenal is a long building with two wings enclosing a small open courtyard fenced off from the street by a railing. The yard faces the long eastern facade consisting of several projections ending at the ground floor with a terrace. The original baroque portal makes a decided impression with its’ bold and ingenious construction, though a bit over-worked. Hardly a visitor will be unmoved by this remarkable corner of ancient Lvov with its captivating charm.

Lvov grew rapidly. The outskirts merged with Lvov proper, the nearby villages were turned into suburbs. Following the partition of Poland in 1772 Eastern Galicia fell to the Austrian Empire. The medieval walls and ramparts were – destroyed in the direuct and figurative meaning of the word. Numerous ancient churches and fortifications were either torn [...]]]>

Lvov grew rapidly. The outskirts merged with Lvov proper, the nearby villages were turned into suburbs. Following the partition of Poland in 1772 Eastern Galicia fell to the Austrian Empire. The medieval walls and ramparts were – destroyed in the direuct and figurative meaning of the word. Numerous ancient churches and fortifications were either torn down or remodelled – the Austrians were not concerned about the cultural and historical relics of a tributary state. Of those vestiges that have been preserved there is the Powder Tower (porohhovaya Bashnya) that was built between 1554-56. This large, monolithic structure of roughly-hewn stone boulders in podvalnaya Street is quite impressive with its narrow loopholes that make a striking contrast with the powerful walls (three metres thick at the base). It has been restored at 1954and remodelled and it is now used as the Architects’ Club. Powder Tower is the only tower that have remainded till this days from the 17th towers that was built.

Lions are a very popular theme in Lvov

Saint Paraskevi church is particularly known for its remarkable iconostasis consisting of more than seventy individual fragments. This church is a true masterpiece of Ukrainian part of the 16th-17th centuries. Painters whose names are unknown managed to achieve an intriguing combination of vivid national co louring coupled with western influence. In Lviv one often comes [...]]]>

Saint Paraskevi church is particularly known for its remarkable iconostasis consisting of more than seventy individual fragments. This church is a true masterpiece of Ukrainian part of the 16th-17th centuries. Painters whose names are unknown managed to achieve an intriguing combination of vivid national co louring coupled with western influence. In Lviv one often comes across traditional iconography and compositional methods of Ukrainian painting influenced by the North Italian Renaissance and the German-Flemish school of painting. The gold-plated wooden iconostasis will astonish you with its elaborate fretwork and tracery.

Although Saint Paraskevi church is small in size, it is an imposing structure. Thick, roughly hewn walls and small windows speaks of times when the church was not only a spiritual center but also a fortress, a place of refuge from the enemy.
A close survey of the church’s architectural and constructive features reveals elements of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque styles and also of the late Renaissance period. Its clearly defined, unbroken composition, light-flooded majestic interior contribute much to its value as a monument of Lviv architecture of the 17th century which continued and developed the Ukrainian building traditions and those of local architecture in particular.

Nearby to Saint Nikolas Church there is a  Church and Monastery of Saint Onuphrius (Monastyr Svyatogo Onuiriya) dates back to hoary antiquity. Saint Onurfy Church began late in the 13th century as a wooden church that existed at the time of Prince Lev Daniilovich. In the mid-15th century it was supplemented by a monastery of [...]]]>

Nearby to Saint Nikolas Church there is a  Church and Monastery of Saint Onuphrius (Monastyr Svyatogo Onuiriya) dates back to hoary antiquity. Saint Onurfy Church began late in the 13th century as a wooden church that existed at the time of Prince Lev Daniilovich. In the mid-15th century it was supplemented by a monastery of Orthodox monks. Following a fire the church was rebuilt in 1518 by the Voivode (military leader) of Kiev, Prince Constantine Ostrozhsky. Numerous changes in the 17th and 18th centuries have contributed to Saint onuphrius (sometimes refferd as Saint Onurfy) Church present appearance. One can still see the remains of the defense walls that engirdled the monastery in the mid-16th century. The exterior of this church and to a certain extent even its constructional lay-out have been greatly altered. Thus today we can see only the general tendency of Saint Onurfys’ original structure and a few of the remaining details. It was built according to the cruciform plan typical of Ukrainian architecture; the narthexes are topped by two cupolas. The side naves, the apses and the belfry were built in the 17th century, the Trinity Chapel (Chasovnya Svyatoi Troitsy) – in 1701. The simple forms of ancient Russian architecture devoid of all exuberance are harmonically blended with the Italian Renaissance style and decoration in the portal and the adjoining sides, the pilasters and windows with arches made of stones from the Castle walls. Great value are the 17th and 18th century paintings: the Apostles over the Holy Door and the iconostasis of the Trinity Chapel.

Church of Saint Nicholas (Tserkov Svyatogo Nikolaya) is a very interesting and probably the most ancient relic. It’s placed on Bogdan Khmelnitsky st. Saint Nicholas Church existed from about 1292. Until the beginning of the 14th century it was used as the family church of Lvov Princes. Later the church belonged to artisans of the [...]]]>

Church of Saint Nicholas (Tserkov Svyatogo Nikolaya) is a very interesting and probably the most ancient relic. It’s placed on Bogdan Khmelnitsky st. Saint Nicholas Church existed from about 1292. Until the beginning of the 14th century it was used as the family church of Lvov Princes. Later the church belonged to artisans of the cobblers’ guild.  Saint Nicholas large size and general structure however give the impression of a monumental public cathedral rather than an intimate family church. Church low entrance, small-sized loophole windows and thick walls of hewn stone are more characteristic of a fort. In case of assault this church could well hold out against the enemy and it was often used in this capacity. The simplicity of the church unadorned walls and austerity of form denoted the grandeur of that rigorous, heroic epoch. The Church of Saint Nicholas with its three apses and elliptical-shaped cupola belongs to the traditional cruciform Orthodox churches of which there were many throughout the southwestern part of Kiev Rus. These features of ancient Russian ecclesiastic architecture were incorporated by the builders in their church structures.

Besides the general ground plan only the foundation and the lower parts of the walls, discovered in 1924, remain of the initial building. The edifice proper was erected in the 17th and early 18th centuries. A vestry was remodeled in 1776, and a cupola in 1800, following the fire of 1788. The central apse was topped by a cupola of its own and the facade was supplemented by flat pilasters. The interior, decorated in the 18th century, is characteristic of rococo ornamentation (a style of 18th century French art and interior design).

The impressive simplicity and austerity of the basic units is reminiscent of the rugged force associated with a warrior in armour. Here the Byzantine building scheme was adapted to the local national style of building and ancient Russian architecture in general. There are also evident traits of the Romanesque which are easily accounted for by the lively cultural contacts maintained by the Galicia-Volhynian Principality with medieval Europe.

Church of Saint Mary Magdalene (Kostyol Marii Snezhnoi) stands on a small hill facing the start of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Street.

According to certain investigators the Church of Saint Mary was rebuilt from an ancient Russian church. But there is no doubt that at the close of the 13th century this was a Catholic church and the [...]]]>

Church of Saint Mary Magdalene (Kostyol Marii Snezhnoi) stands on a small hill facing the start of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Street.

According to certain investigators the Church of Saint Mary was rebuilt from an ancient Russian church. But there is no doubt that at the close of the 13th century this was a Catholic church and the religious centre of the German colony. The plan of the church is typical of West-European ecclesiastic architecture: the somewhat squat form, a definite architectural style and modest decor – all this speaks in favour of the principles and methods of the Romanesque order. We are utterly ignorant of the initial form of the church. It had been often reconstructed in the course of centuries and particularly at the end of the 19th century when architect Yu. Zakharievich remodelled the building in pseudo-Romanesque style. This is especially notable in the murals of the interior and in the exterior ornament of the chancel.

High Castle was once the beginning of Lvov. There is a marvelous view of Lvov from the Castle. Highways run through Lvov in every [...]]]> As I wrote in the High Castle thread there is no trace of the Castle Hill( Zamkovaya Gora) in spite of the name of the park – The High Castle (Vysoky Zamok).

High Castle was once the beginning of Lvov. There is a marvelous view of Lvov from the Castle. Highways run through Lvov in every direction. In the evening they are dotted with glimmering lights.
Red and blue trams, scurry to and fro, buses, tramways and cars travel in a never-ceasing stream; the busy modern town is bathed in the bright lights of shops, cafes cinemas and theaters.

In the centre of a small square which is easy to spot among the lofty buildings and cupolas 65 metre tower crowning the graceful silhouette of the Gothic Cathedral.
Closer to the Castle Hill is the Church of the Assumption and the Tower of Kornyakta flanked by the imposing Church of the Dominicans. Further to the right is the Opera Theater. On the hill in the background you can see the slender towers of the Church of Mary Magdalene and right behind it the silhouette of the Church of Saint George and the neo-Gothic Church of Saint Elizabeth. Far in the background stretching across the skyline from the Central Railway Station to New Lvov, in podzamche and other districts of the town, long lines of factory smokestacks seem to pierce the sky. That is the industrial part of Lvov.