Formation of the Street
Kopernyka Street is one of the oldest and most prestigious streets in central Lviv. It developed on the site of the 16th-century Sokilnytska Road, which served as a boundary between the Halytskyi and Krakivskyi suburbs. In the 18th century, manor houses began to appear here.
In the second half of the 19th century, the area underwent rapid urban development. In 1871, the street was officially named in honor of Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Between 1900 and 1914, the street was intensively built up with apartment buildings, hotels, cafes, and cultural institutions, becoming a showcase of modern Lviv.
Key landmarks on the street include the former Galician Sejm (now the Lviv National Art Gallery), the Dzieduszycki Museum, and Hotel George. To this day, the street remains one of the most representative and prestigious in the city.
Builders and Styles
Building No. 5 was constructed in 1911 by architect Roman Feliński, one of Lviv’s leading figures in Art Nouveau architecture. Sculptural decoration was done by Zygmunt Kurchynski. The building combines elements of medieval Gothic with modernist detail — pointed arches, vertical lines, asymmetric composition, and fantasy-inspired ornamentation.
Who Was the Owner?
The original owner was Izydora Schutz. In the interwar period, the ground floor housed the “Melodia” record and gramophone shop. In the 1950s, an evening music school for adults operated here. Since the 1960s, the “Trembita” music store and Children’s Music School No. 2 have been located in the building.
What Does the Building Look Like?
This is a five-story structure with a mansard attic. The facade is richly decorated with stucco and stone, featuring asymmetrical windows (trapezoidal, pointed), and sculptural ornaments including heraldic and mythological motifs. The ground floor has large display windows; upper floors are residential. The building is well preserved and remains an architectural landmark.
Interesting Facts
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This is one of Lviv’s most expressive examples of Gothic-inspired Art Nouveau architecture.
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A recording studio operated here in the 1920s–30s.
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“Trembita” is Lviv’s oldest operating music store.
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Many notable musicians studied at the Children’s Music School No. 2, located in the building.
What Is There Now?
Today, the building remains residential with commercial use on the ground floor. The music store “Trembita” and Children’s Music School No. 2 are still active, preserving the building’s cultural function. The structure is in good condition and retains its historic charm.
Bibliography
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Encyclopedia of Lviv. Vol. 2.
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Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. XIII–XXI centuries. — Lviv, 2008.
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Melnyk I. Lviv Streets and Tenement Houses. — Lviv, 2008.
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History of Lviv in Documents and Materials. — Lviv, 1996.
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Interactive Lviv / Center for Urban History.