Formation of the Street
Dzherelna Street is located in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Lviv, within the historical suburb of Klepariv — an area that remained mostly rural until the 19th century, characterized by gardens, meadows, and natural springs. The name “Dzherelna” (meaning “Spring Street”) reflects the numerous natural springs that once surfaced here and fed streams flowing into the Poltva River.
The street first appeared in Austrian land registries in the early 19th century under the German name Quellen Gasse (“Spring Street”). In 1871, it was renamed Zródłana in Polish, maintaining the same meaning. From the late 19th to the early 20th century, Klepariv underwent rapid urbanization — with new streets, infrastructure, and public amenities emerging.
In the 1930s, Klepariv was officially incorporated into the city of Lviv. Dzherelna Street became part of the urban fabric with a dense residential character. It retained its name throughout the Soviet era and preserved much of its early 20th-century architecture.
Today, Dzherelna is one of the longest and oldest streets in the northern-central part of Lviv. It contains many surviving buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and holds strong potential for urban revitalization.
Builders and Styles
Building No. 10 on Dzherelna Street was constructed in the 1890s or early 1900s. The project was likely carried out by a municipal architect or one of the active local builders of the Klepariv area. The architectural style is late historicism with elements of Art Nouveau. Characteristic features include a symmetrical façade, decorative plasterwork, arched windows, bracketed cornices, and wrought-iron balconies.
Who Was the Owner?
The original owner is unknown. During the interwar period, the building likely functioned as an income-generating property. The ground floor may have housed shops or workshops, while the upper floors contained rental apartments. In the Soviet era, the property was nationalized and used for residential purposes. Today, the building is part of the city’s housing stock with commercial premises on the ground floor.
What Does the Building Look Like?
This three-story building features a symmetrical façade with a central balcony and metal railing. The windows are adorned with molded stucco trim. The overall style is typical of Lviv’s urban development between 1890 and 1910. The façade is in generally good condition, though some elements require restoration.
Interesting Facts
-
The building is listed as a local architectural monument.
-
In 2021, part of the balcony collapsed and was promptly restored.
-
In the 19th century, Dzherelna Street was a transit route to the former Jewish cemetery located on what is now Kropyvnytskyi Square.
What Is There Now?
Today, Building No. 10 on Dzherelna Street is a mixed-use structure. The ground floor is occupied by offices and small service businesses, while the upper floors contain residential apartments. The building has retained its authentic historical appearance and remains part of Lviv’s architectural heritage.
Bibliography
-
Architecture of Lviv: Time and Styles. XIII–XXI Centuries — Lviv: Center of Europe, 2008.
-
Biryulov, Yu. Lviv: Architecture of the Late 19th – Early 20th Century. — Lviv: Center of Europe, 2010.
-
Lemko, I., Mykhalyk, V. 1243 Streets of Lviv (1939–2009). — Lviv: Apriori, 2009.
-
Lewicki, J. Between Tradition and Modernity: Architecture of Lviv 1893–1918. — Warsaw: Neriton, 2005.
-
Universal Encyclopedia of Lviv / Ed. A. Kozytskyi. — Lviv: Litopys, 2008–2010.