Formation of the Street
Zelena Street is one of the oldest in the eastern part of Lviv. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages, when it stretched southeast beyond the city walls, serving as a trade route to the villages and towns of Moldavia. In the 16th–17th centuries, it was known as the Wallachian Road due to its use by merchants and travelers heading to the Romanian lands. From the 17th century, because of the abundant greenery along its length, it became known as “Zelena” (“Green”).
In the 18th century, the area remained semi-rural, used for estates and summer residences by the nobility. The 19th century saw a shift with industrialization and the construction of railway infrastructure. Urban expansion reached Zelena Street, where typical tenement houses, shops, and workshops were built. In 1894, an electric tram line was laid, marking its transformation into a city artery.
By the turn of the 20th century, Zelena had become a prestigious location for new residential developments, combining historical continuity with the stylistic innovations of Secession and early modernism.
Builders and Styles
Building No. 28 was constructed in 1910 in the Secession style, designed by architect Petro Tarnavetskyi. Located on the corner of Zelena and Tarnavskoho Streets, its facade features flowing lines, decorative stucco, and a striking oriel. Its most notable feature is the bas-relief “Coronation of the Virgin Mary,” making it unique among Lviv’s residential buildings.
Who Was the Owner?
The original owners were the Demeter family, a middle-class family that owned several buildings in the area. In the 1940s, after nationalization, the property was transferred to municipal ownership.
What Does the Building Look Like?
This four-story tenement has a richly decorated Secession-style facade. The corner oriel is topped with a sculptural bas-relief. Window surrounds feature floral stucco, and balconies have wrought-iron railings. The entrance is accentuated by an artistic gate, and the courtyard retains early 20th-century elements.
Interesting Facts
-
The “Coronation of the Virgin Mary” bas-relief is a rare example of religious sculpture in Lviv’s residential architecture.
-
In 1914–1915, during the Russian occupation, the building housed a free public kitchen operated by a charitable organization.
-
The building is a protected architectural monument and listed in the State Register of Immovable Heritage Sites of Ukraine.
What Is There Now?
Today, Building No. 28 is a mixed-use structure: residential above, with commercial and office spaces (such as medical practices) on the ground floor.
Bibliography
-
Encyclopedia of Lviv. Vol. 2.
-
Melnyk I. Lviv Streets and Tenement Houses. — Lviv, 2008.
-
Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. XIII–XXI centuries. — Lviv, 2008.
-
Historic Districts of Lviv: Lychakiv.
-
Urban Sculpture in Lviv: Symbols and Styles.