Formation of the Street
The street developed during the early period of municipal self-government in Lviv. It was first mentioned in 1863 as Lower Honcharska Street and renamed Ogrodowa (Garden Street) in 1871. In 1885, it was given the name of Polish historian and politician Joachim Lelewel. During the German occupation, from November 1941, it was renamed Erikastrasse. After World War II, the name Lelewel was temporarily restored, but in 1950 the street was renamed after Russian painter Vasily Vereshchagin. In 1993, it received its current name—Popovycha Street—in honor of Ukrainian educator and public figure Omelian Popovych.
Architects and Style
The building at 9 Yevhena Popovycha Street was constructed in 1908, designed by architect Adam Opolski. It is an example of Art Nouveau architecture.
Who was the owner?
The building was constructed for the private boys’ school named after Saint Joseph.
What does the building look like?
The structure is three stories high, featuring arched windows on the ground floor and rectangular ones on the second and third. It is characterized by organic forms, asymmetry, elegant lines, and decorative elements on the façade—such as plant motifs and details reminiscent of natural shapes. These elements contribute not only to the building’s aesthetic appeal but also reflect its function as an educational and social institution of its time.
Interesting Facts
The school was founded by members of the Salesian Congregation of School Brothers, who were also active in charitable work and care for educational institutions and orphanages. It was the first Salesian school in both Poland and Galicia. In the 1950s, the school became Municipal Secondary School No. 54 under the Department of Public Education.
What is it now?
Today, the building houses the Faculty of Law of the Lviv State Educational and Scientific Institute for Sustainable Development named after Viacheslav Chornovil, part of the National University Lviv Polytechnic.
Sources and Literature
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Melnyk B. V., Index of Current Street and Square Names of Lviv, in Directory of Street and Square Renamings in Lviv: 13th–20th Centuries (Lviv: Svit, 2001). ISBN 966-603-115-9
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Hromov S., The Names of Prominent People in Lviv’s Streets (Lviv: NVP “Ukrainski Tekhnolohii,” 2001). ISBN 978-617-629-077-3
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Private Company to Gain Additional 600 sq. m in Architectural Landmark by Adding a Second Floor in the Attic – News from ZIK.UA
