Formation of the Street
Stryiska Street is one of the oldest and longest streets in Lviv. It was first mentioned in 1626 as the Stryi Road, which led in the direction of the city of Stryi. In the 19th century, it was modernized as part of the imperial road network, which contributed to the development of suburban housing. At the beginning of the 20th century, the street was actively built up with income-generating tenement houses, primarily in the Art Nouveau and Secession styles. In November 1918, fierce battles between the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen and Polish forces took place along this street. Today, Stryiska Street remains an important historical artery of Lviv, preserving several unique architectural ensembles from the Secession period.
About the Building
Builders and Styles
Building No. 26, along with neighboring buildings No. 22 and No. 24, was constructed in 1906 by the construction company of Ivan Levynskyi based on a design by architect Napoleon Lushkevych. It is part of an ensemble of three tenement houses designed in the decorative Secession style. Notable features include façades adorned with plant ornamentation, stylized mascarons, stucco work, and wrought-iron elements.
Who Was the Owner?
Initially, the buildings were commissioned by private individuals, though the exact owner of No. 26 is currently unknown. During the interwar period, it housed the “House of Ruthenian Student Youth named after Aytal Yuliyanovych Yasenytskyi” — a dormitory for students from Russophile families, founded by Lviv judge Aytal Yasenytskyi. At the same time, the pharmacologist Leon Popielski lived here.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building is a three-story brick structure with a symmetrical façade. Its decorative features include stucco inserts with mascarons (depictions of faces), an elaborate frieze with floral motifs, and balconies with wrought-iron railings. The ornamentation is typical of Lviv’s decorative Secession style, characterized by meticulous attention to detail.
Interesting Facts
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The building was home to pharmacologist Leon Popielski — a prominent scientist of his time.
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It housed the dormitory “House of Ruthenian Student Youth named after Aytal Yasenytskyi.”
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In one of the three buildings in the ensemble (No. 22, 24, or 26), anthropologist Jan Czekanowski lived between 1911 and 1939 — a scholar known for his ethnographic expeditions to Africa.
What Is There Now?
Today, the building remains residential. Some of the ground-floor premises are occupied by commercial establishments, offices, and household services.
References
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Stryiska Street (Lviv) — Wikipedia
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Interactive Lviv — Center for Urban History
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Buildings of the Levynskyi Firm on Stryiska — Lviv Encyclopedia