As I wrote before, Lvov was a large and lively centre of its time. It is regrettable that not a single relic of Lvov of that period has been preserved. We can only go by indirect evidence and the findings of archaeologists. It is surmised that as early as in the first half of the 14th century stone fortifications were built on Castle Hill. Several stone churches were also built at that time. Archaeological excavations on the neighbouring Prince’s Hill (Knyazhya Gora) revealed two fragments of white-stone columns with bas reliefs in the form of stylized depictions of figures, plants and birds (They are displayed in Lvov Historical Museum). It is very likely that these fragments are from the palace of Lev Daniilovich who ruled the principality between 1264 and 1301.
But the founders and builders of Lvov were not destined to be masters of their own land. Following the death of Yuri II Boleslav. the last of the ruling Romanovich dynasty, in 1340, King Casimir III of Poland, taking advantage of internal strife, won two victories over the town. Plundering the Castle of two gold crowns, a gold-plated throne, the Prince’s mantle and several valuable crosses, Casimir reduced the Castle to ashes.
The local population offered stiff resistance. From 1340 to 1349 the town was ruled by boyar Dmitry Detko who sought to rally all patriotic forces against the enemy. Following numerous battles, sieges and negotiations alternated with rule by Hungarians and Lithuanians for a long time after 1387 the town remained under Polish feudal rule. A new page began in the history of the ancient town – but about it I will write tomorrow… 