Formation of the Street
Iryna Kalynets Street is located in the historic Novyi Svit district of Lviv’s Frankivskyi District. The area began to develop actively in the second half of the 19th century, initially as a suburb, then gradually integrated into the city as part of planned urban expansion.
Originally, the street was conceived as an extension of Nabielaka Street (now Kotliarevskyi Street), intended to improve connectivity with Hshanovska Street (now Verbytskoho). However, villa owners in the area opposed the plan, and only a short, separate section was built.
In 1898, the street was named Łąckiego Street in honor of Eliasz Jan Łącki, a Polish general who led the defense of Lviv during the 1672 siege. During the German occupation (1943–1944), it was renamed Eschenbachgasse. After Soviet troops entered the city in 1944, the previous name was briefly restored, and in 1946 it was renamed Karl Bryullov Street after the Russian painter who helped secure the freedom of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko.
In 2022, amid Lviv’s derussification efforts, the street was renamed after Iryna Kalynets — a Ukrainian poet, dissident, and prominent cultural figure of the 20th century.
Builders and Styles
Building No. 4 was erected in 1904–1905, designed by architect Tadeusz Obmiński. It is a prominent example of Lviv’s Secession (Art Nouveau) style. This three-story tenement has a rich facade, including a vertical risalit topped with a sculpted mask — one of the largest in the city — and characteristic ornamentation with flowing forms and asymmetry.
Who Was the Owner?
The original owner is unknown. However, the building was likely built as a tenement for rent to middle-class or professional residents. Architect Tadeusz Obmiński was active in the district and designed multiple residential buildings with Secessionist aesthetics and national elements.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building is three stories tall with an L-shaped layout and double-row room arrangement. The facade is asymmetrical, featuring sculptural stucco elements and a distinctive Secessionist gable with a relief mask. Despite some renovations, the building has retained its architectural character.
Interesting Facts
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The mask on the facade is considered the largest in Lviv and depicts a woman’s mournful face.
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According to legend, the father of a murdered girl bought the building and placed her likeness on the facade so her killers would face her image daily.
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The building is listed as a local architectural monument under protection number 854-m.
What Is There Now?
Today, the building serves as a residential property. Several apartments are privately owned, and the ground floor hosts office and service premises. It remains one of the most architecturally striking buildings on the street.
Bibliography
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Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. 13th–21st centuries. — Lviv: Center of Europe, 2008.
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Streets of Lviv: A Handbook. — Lviv: Litopys, 2001.
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Lviv: Historical Suburbs. — Lviv, 2012.
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History of Lviv: Urban Structure. — Lviv, 2015.
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Heritage and Architecture of Lviv. — Lviv: Apriori, 2014.