Formation of the Street
Zamarsynivska Street is one of the oldest thoroughfares in the northern part of Lviv. Its history is closely tied to the former suburb of Zamarsyniv, first mentioned in sources from the 14th century. The original name of this settlement — Sommersteinhof — derives from Johann Sommerstein, a German colonist who was granted this land during the German colonization of Galicia. Over time, the name transformed into the Ukrainianized “Zamarsyniv.”
Zamarsyniv remained an independent settlement until 1615, when it was officially purchased by the city of Lviv. However, it retained a rural structure and local governance for several centuries afterward. Zamarsynivska Street developed as a road leading to the village — from Pidzamche across the Poltva River northward. During the 18th and 19th centuries, farmsteads, brickyards, and small industrial facilities emerged along the route.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the rise of urban transport, the street became a major artery connecting the suburb to central Lviv. In the 1920s–1930s, it saw a surge in residential construction in the Constructivist and Modernist styles. During the Soviet period, several multi-storey housing blocks were added, though much of the historic architecture remains intact today.
Builders and Styles
Building No. 11a was constructed around 1910 in the late Secession style. Its façade features meander ornaments and two pairs of female mascarons on the side projections. These decorative motifs are typical of early 20th-century Art Nouveau, which flourished in Lviv under the influence of the Viennese school.
Who Was the Owner?
The original owner of the building is unknown based on available sources. In 1991, the building was included in the list of local architectural monuments.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The structure is a three-storey tenement house with a symmetrical façade. Decorative elements such as meanders and mascarons remain well-preserved. The architecture reflects classic Secession features — elegant facade plasticity and a restrained color palette.
Interesting Facts
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The building is classified as a local architectural monument.
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The presence of Art Nouveau female mascarons is rare in Lviv’s residential architecture.
What Is There Now?
The building is currently used as a residential property. No information is available about commercial or institutional use.
Bibliography
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Encyclopedia of Lviv. Vol. 2.
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Melnyk I. Lviv Streets and Tenement Houses. — Lviv, 2008.
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Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. XIII–XXI Centuries. — Lviv, 2008.
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Galician Suburb: A Historical Overview.
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Lviv: A Journey Through the Ages. — Lviv, 2012.