Formation of the Street
Dvirtseva Square first appeared on the map of Lviv in 1861 following the opening of the railway connection to Przemyśl, Kraków, and Vienna, and the construction of the city’s first railway station. Initially, three separate stations operated on the square, each serving different routes. One of them, a through-station, stood on the site of today’s main terminal, while the other two (terminal-type) were located where the current parking area and the locomotive repair plant now stand.
In 1894, a tram line was extended to Dvirtseva Square, and one of the new electric tram routes began operation. On March 26, 1904, the building of the Lviv Main Railway Station was officially opened.
After World War II, both the station and the square underwent reconstruction, giving them the appearance that remained largely unchanged until the major renovation that began in 2019.
Before the most recent renovation, in 2017, Dvirtseva Square was in extremely poor technical condition, sparking frustration among locals and visitors due to its damaged pavement, lack of accessibility, and disorganized traffic system.
Architects and Style
The station was built between 1900 and 1904 on Dvirtseva Square, designed by architect Władysław Sadłowski and engineer Edmund Żelenevskyi, in the Viennese Secession style (Art Nouveau).
Who was the owner?
The original owner of the Lviv Main Railway Station was the Galician Carl Ludwig Railway (Galizische Carl Ludwig-Bahn).
What does the building look like?
The monumental building of Lviv’s main railway station—with its horizontal silhouette and three high domes—is a prominent visual landmark when viewed from Chernivetska Street, which leads north from Horodotska Street. The structure is two stories high, made of brick with plaster, and features foundations and ceilings constructed using reinforced concrete. The layout is based on an elongated rectangle oriented along the railway tracks and platforms.
The central projection (risalit) is accentuated by a grand entrance arch topped with a massive dome, flanked by two smaller domes. Side projections feature columned porticos and domes, creating a harmonious composition. The rusticated façade is clearly divided into levels by entablatures and finished with attics. The central risalit is decorated with allegorical sculptures in niches by Antoni Popiel and a two-figure composition with a cartouche above the entrance arch by Petro Vitovych.
The interior includes spacious halls and wide corridors that connect to the platforms through underground tunnels. The original Secession-style interiors have been mostly lost.
The train shed (departure hall) is located at the rear of the building and is constructed from arched steel trusses filled with armored glass. It measures 159 meters in length and 69 meters in width. The support structures are stylized to match the design of platform elements, including fences, kiosks, and other architectural details.
Interesting Facts
The station, built from 1900 to 1904, features structural elements produced at the Vitkovice Ironworks in Moravská Ostrava (now the Czech Republic). The idea for the station originated with Julian Zachariewicz, who in 1895 created a concept for its interior design. The building suffered significant damage during the Polish–Ukrainian War of 1918–1919 and again at the start of World War II in 1939.
After the war, the train shed was rebuilt, although many artistic elements of the platforms were lost. In the early 21st century, the metal roofing above the platforms was restored.
What is it now?
Today, the building houses the Lviv Main Railway Station and the administrative headquarters of Lviv Railways.
Sources and Literature
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The History of the Lviv Railway Station: How One of the City’s Most Iconic Buildings Was Constructed – News Article
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Biryulyov Y., The Art of Lviv Secession. — Lviv: Center of Europe, 2005
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Kotlobulatova I., Lviv Railway Station. The Second Building // Halytska Brama, No. 14. — Lviv: Center of Europe, 1996
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Lviv. Tourist Guide. — Lviv: Center of Europe, 1999
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Lviv Railways: History and Present. — Lviv: Center of Europe, 1996
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Pukhlya Ya., Viennese Influences on the Architecture of Lviv, 1772–1918. — Kraków, 1991
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Lwów. Ilustrowany Przewodnik — Lviv: Centrum Europy; Wrocław: Via Nova, 2001
