Street Formation
The street developed along an old trade route that once connected the cities of Halych and Volhynia. Parts of this historic route remain today in the modern streets of Kniazia Romana, Halytska, Krakivska, and Bohdana Khmelnytskoho. Both Rynok Square and Staryi Rynok Square also adjoin this path. The name “Halytska Street” was first recorded in 1382. Initially, the street was shorter and ended at the Halytska Gate in the city wall. This gate, consisting of two towers and an archway, was dismantled in 1777, after which the street was extended. The new section was named after King Stephen Báthory (today’s Kniazia Romana Street).
Architects and Styles
The rental house at 21 Halytska Street was built in 1910, designed by Józef Sosnowski and Alfred Zachariewicz. It is considered one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Lviv.
Who was the owner?
The property belonged to Marianna Sadowska (from her first marriage), later Komarnytska (after her second marriage).
What does the building look like?
This five-story building, with two equally prominent façades, serves as a closing element to Halytska Street and a defining architectural feature of the adjacent square. The structure is notable for its grandeur and elegant Art Nouveau forms. Its key feature is a rounded corner bay window (oriel) crowned with a two-tiered dome.
The façade draws attention not only for its restrained detailing, characteristic of the prevailing style, but also for its sculptural décor, which blends organically with the mass of the building. Full-figure allegorical reliefs fill the spaces between the second-floor windows on both street-facing sides. These figures align with the pilasters and act as their visual base. The sculptural reliefs were created by Zygmunt Kurczyński, a frequent collaborator of architect Alfred Zachariewicz in other Lviv buildings.
The façade composition is dominated by horizontal elements. The fifth floor, capped with a wavy-shaped gable, is accentuated by a prominent cornice. This is considered one of the finest Art Nouveau buildings in the city.
Interesting Facts
The building (originally plots no. 324 and 325, later renumbered 295 and 296) was erected on the site of the former Halytska Gate. Initially, it belonged to Marianna Sadowska-Komarnytska, who sold it in 1786 to Johann Gimpel. He likely built a new three-story townhouse here, which was registered in 1798 as newly constructed.
Throughout the 19th century, the property changed owners frequently: in 1876, it was owned by Bonifacy Stiller, later by Edmund Strömmenger, and the corner property belonged to Karol Balaban. In 1907, both buildings were acquired by Dr. Theodor Balaban, who decided to replace them with a single large structure. After receiving approval from the Conservation Council in 1908, the previous houses were demolished. The new five-story building, designed by Józef Sosnowski and Alfred Zachariewicz, was completed in 1910.
In 1931, the ground-floor shops were remodeled into banking premises for the Municipal Savings Bank, following a design by architect Wawrzyniec Dayczak.
What is it now?
Today, the building houses the operations office of Oschadbank’s Lviv Branch No. 6319 and branch No. 925 of Ukrsibbank BNP Paribas Group. The upper floors accommodate the Department of Social Protection of the Lviv City Council and the State Specialized Publishing House Svit.
Sources and Literature
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State Archives of the Lviv Region (DALO) 2/1/2119
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DALO 2/1/1987
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Central State Historical Archives in Lviv (CSHAL) 166/1/5
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CSHAL 166/1/895
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CSHAL 166/1/892
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Volodymyr Vuytsyk, Leopolitana II. Halytska Street, Lviv, 2013