Street Formation
In the Middle Ages, the site of today’s Danylo Halytskyi Square in Lviv was part of the city’s third line of fortifications, which included the Nyzhky and Korolivskyi bastions and a shooting gallery where townspeople practiced marksmanship. Originally, the square was called Holzmarkt (“Timber Market”), and from 1871, it became known as Striletska Square (“Riflemen’s Square”).
During a builders’ strike in 1902, clashes with the military on this square resulted in the deaths of five people. In 1904, a memorial obelisk was erected at their grave in the Lychakiv Cemetery. In 1944, the square was renamed in honor of Prince Danylo Halytskyi. Although monuments to him or to Taras Shevchenko were proposed, none were realized.
During World War I, wooden dining barracks stood on the square. In 2013, a monument to Yurii Kulchytskyi was unveiled, though it was damaged in 2017.
Builders and Styles
The building at 1 Danylo Halytskyi Square was constructed between 1913 and 1919 as the Chamber of Craftsmen. Its style reflects features of Renaissance architecture. The architect was Jan Protschke, and the facade sculptures of a blacksmith and a mason are attributed to Jan Szczepkowski, with smaller decorative reliefs likely created by Mykhailo Makovych.
Who Owns It?
The building was constructed to house the Chamber of Craftsmen.
What Does the Building Look Like?
Now home to the Lviv Puppet Theater, this building is a vivid example of interwar architecture. It stands out for its monumental form and classical features typical of early 20th-century administrative buildings.
The symmetrical, massive façade is divided by six pilasters, emphasizing verticality in a restrained, formal style. The central section features three large rectangular windows, adding a strict geometric rhythm. Below the windows are decorative bas-reliefs that lend the structure a stately appearance.
The ground floor contains five arched entrances, creating a sense of openness and depth. Above the arches are stone decorations in harmony with the architectural style. The building is topped by a steep, tile-clad roof typical of Lviv’s historic architecture with European influence.
The building’s strong presence is reinforced by its muted color palette and simple, yet expressive, decorative details that blend well with the surrounding cityscape.
Interesting Facts
The Lviv Puppet Theater was founded on April 8, 1945, with the premiere of “Husenya” by Antonina Matskevych. Initially operating under the Lviv House of Folk Art, the theater officially opened on April 15, 1946, with a production of “Ivasyk-Telesyk” based on a folk tale adapted by Ivan Franko.
In late 1947, thanks to Matskevych’s efforts, the theater received a permanent home in the former Chamber of Craftsmen building on Danylo Halytskyi Square, where it remains today.
Until 2018, the theater’s emblem was Ivasyk-Telesyk, a character from a Ukrainian folk tale. According to legend, before each show, Matskevych performed an interlude with puppets of King Danylo and his son Levchyk. Levchyk was originally the theater’s emblem, depicted on a shield with three towers resembling a trident. However, during visits from Soviet KGB officials, Matskevych was forced to remove the central tower, and Levchyk was replaced publicly by Ivasyk-Telesyk.
The King Danylo puppet still survives, but the original Levchyk puppet has been lost. In 2017, the theater underwent a rebranding, adopting a new logo symbolizing the unity of the actor and the puppet within the theatrical space.
Notable actors over the years included O. Brodotska, H. Brodotskyi, Yu. Koliada, and I. Mylymuk. The current ensemble features Kh. Havryliuk, L. Hriadova, S. Kabanova, O. Kocherhin, V. Kuryiko, S. Kuryiko, and V. Pavliuk. Past directors include L. Zilberh and S. Steshenko (also chief artist), with A. Matskevych and M. Shurupov among the artistic directors. The theater’s artists included I. Karpynets, M. Kypriyan, P. Myronov, and V. Rudenko, while V. Polianskyi and Ya. Synytsia led the music department.
Today, the theater is headed by Ulyana Moroz (since 2017), with Yana Tytarenko as chief director (since 2021) and Inessa Kulchytska as chief artist (since 1996).
What Is It Now?
The building is currently home to the Lviv Regional Puppet Theater.
Sources and Literature
Biriulow, J. Rzeźba lwowska od połowy XVIII wieku do 1939 roku: Od zapowiedzi klasycyzmu do awangardy [Lviv Sculpture from the Mid-18th Century to 1939: From the Dawn of Classicism to the Avant-Garde]. — Warsaw: Neriton, 2007.
Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine (ESU): Lviv Academic Regional Puppet Theater.
Lviv Puppet Theater // Ukrainian Soviet Encyclopedia in 12 volumes / Chief Editor M. P. Bazhan; editorial board: O. K. Antonov et al. — 2nd ed. — Kyiv: Main Editorial Office of the Ukrainian Soviet Encyclopedia, 1981. — Vol. 6: Kulykiv – Microclimate.
