Balconies exist for aesthetic pleasure. To gaze upon them and to contemplate the city from them. From a balcony, one can also declare a state's independence, profess love, or create a love story. Practicality should not be forgotten either. This relatively new architectural element has become so common that it seems as though balconies have always been a part of buildings. In Lviv, there is a unique history to this, as balconies here are especially beautiful.
List of Unique Lviv Balconies and Their History
Balconies on Rynok Square
A stroll around Rynok Square, paying attention to the balconies, certainly won't be brief. There are balconies on the Town Hall building - on one of them, you can see high-ranking officials and celebrities visiting the mayor. Right nearby is one of the most beautiful balconies on Rynok Square. It's on building number 31, which belonged to the famous Bachevsky family. The balcony is crafted very skillfully. It gives the impression that it was sculpted from dough. The Lviv theme is also present: the lion heads here seem almost alive.
On the opposite side of Rynok Square, there are several interesting balconies. One of them is on building number 10, which today houses a coffee shop. The balcony there features wrought iron railings and ornate brackets. It was from this balcony on June 30, 1941, that Yaroslav Stetsko and Stepan Bandera proclaimed the Act of the Restoration of the Ukrainian State. Building number 6 is the former Korniakt Palace, also known as the Royal House. Unlike its neighbours, it has six windows, and the balcony here spans the entire width of the palace. In house number 3, there is a balcony with a beautiful grille. It is supported by figures of atlantes in the form of knights.
Interestingly stylized is the balcony of building number 36 on Rynok Square. It's like a Lviv building with chimeras. Its consoles resemble human faces peering out of the mouths of lions.
The further you go, the more there are
Several buildings with beautiful balconies are located near the center. One such building at 7 Halytska Square was designed in 1902 by the talented Czech architect Karel Boublik. This building exhibits features of both Mannerism and Baroque, and the balcony is elegant, adorned with figures of nude women. Features of Classicism and Rococo can be observed in the building at 13 Virmenska Street. The balcony here is wide, with a beautiful grille and figures of cherubs. On 10 Teatralna Street, there is a balcony with sculptures of Mars and Minerva. It is part of a portico with two pairs of columns and pedestals on which the mentioned figures are placed.
The balcony at 6 Doroshenka Street is quite surprising. It is skillfully crafted. However, the biggest surprise is its location in the courtyard, on the inner side. At 19 Doroshenka Street, there is a true architectural marvel - the former residence of the banker Landau. Across the entire width of the second floor, there is a balcony with wrought iron railings. The balconies on the third floor are situated between pilasters and also feature wrought iron elements.
Міські брами: відреставровані та неповторні
At 11 Stefanyka Street, there is a beautiful townhouse with a very elegant balcony. This is the largest pre-war residential building in Lviv. The striking feature of this townhouse is its Gothic balconies, which compositionally form a unified whole. Similarly, but even more impressive, is the balcony of the house at 52 Henerala Chuprynka Street. This building, constructed in the Neo-Gothic style, somewhat resembles castles. The balcony here is truly one of the most beautiful and charming in Lviv. The elements of this balcony-loggia somewhat resemble Venetian palaces, and there were even paintings on its vaults.
Усе лиш починається
У Львові багато балконів, які варті уваги - з цікавими та незвичайними історіями. На Фредра, 5 так званий музичний балкон. Бачимо годинник, чоловічу та жіночу фігури з музичними інструментами. Окремим витвором є великий балкон на Сербській, 13 чи на Івана Франка, 90. Споруду на вулиці Франка, 63 взагалі можна назвати львівським будинком з балконами. Тут гарний портал, а також декілька балконів, майстерно виконаних у різних техніках. Вишукано оздоблена й сама будівля. Балкони на другому поверсі з візерунками та декоративними вазонами, а на третьому поверсі - ковані загорожі та ліпнина довкола вікон.
There are balconies that are impossible to notice accidentally or in passing. For example, these are the balconies for musicians located inside the Potocki Palace and the House of Scientists. Both are artistically exquisite and were created for the needs and aesthetic pleasure of the wealthiest residents of Lviv.
In general, the theme of balconies in Lviv is so extensive that it's difficult to cover it all in just one text. There will always be balconies worth attention that may not be mentioned due to various circumstances. For instance, the balcony-loggias in the House of Scholars or the former royal arsenal, balconies on Bohomoltsia Street, and other variations. Therefore, the best solution would be to come to Lviv and see everything with your own eyes.
