Formation of the Street
Valova Street in Lviv was formed on the site of the former medieval defensive ramparts, which gave the street its name (“Valova” meaning “Rampart Street”). In the 15th–16th centuries, the city was enclosed by substantial walls and ramparts, which lost their defensive purpose after Austrian administrative reforms at the end of the 18th century.
Between 1777 and 1820, during the expansion and urban redevelopment initiated by the Austrian administration, these defensive structures were gradually dismantled. In their place, a new street was laid out, preserving the memory of the historical fortifications. The formation of Valova Street took several decades, from the early 19th century until its modern contours were fully established by the middle of that century.
From the 19th to early 20th centuries, Valova Street was actively built up, primarily with three- and four-story townhouses in styles such as Classicism, Historicism, and Secession (Art Nouveau). The street became an integral part of the city center, connecting key areas of Lviv and providing convenient access to Market Square (Rynok) and Halytska Square.
Today, Valova Street is an important cultural and historical area in Lviv, harmoniously combining the heritage of the past with modern urban functions. The street retains buildings reflecting various periods of urban development and remains a popular tourist route, introducing visitors to the history of ancient Lviv.
Architects and Architectural Styles
The residential building (1909–1913) on Valova Street is part of the street’s perimeter development. Designed by architects Władysław Derdacki and Witold Minkiewicz as an apartment building, it was constructed in the Art Nouveau style, incorporating elements of Empire style. It is a brick, plastered, four-story building with a mezzanine and mansard roof. The main façade has an asymmetrical composition balanced in proportions.
Appearance of the Building
At the third and fourth-floor levels, two bay windows (oriels) project outward, topped on the fifth floor by balconies with metal railings. Profiled cornices separate each floor. The cornice between the fourth and fifth floors is decorated with stucco garlands and stylized bucrania. Beneath the fourth-floor windows, decorative stucco panels featuring figurative bas-reliefs are positioned. Windows on the sides of the fifth floor have semicircular tops, while those above the bay windows are flanked by pairs of stylized Tuscan semi-columns. The building’s entrance is accentuated by a massive portal. The central part of the façade is crowned by a triangular pediment containing a semicircular window and three stylized bucrania. The building is topped by a high mansard roof.
Sources
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State Archives of Lviv Oblast (DALO) 2/1/963: 2-15. The file has been renamed to State Archives of Lviv Oblast (DALO) 2/1/929. https://e.archivelviv.gov.ua/file-viewer/227708#file-720430
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Vuytsyk, V. S., Lypka, R. M. Encounter with Lviv. Guidebook. Lviv: Kameniar Publishing House, 1987. – p. 123.