A stained glass, as a decorative composition made of colored glass, can serve as a wonderful metaphor for describing Lviv and the process of coexistence of nations and cultures in the city. Indeed, Lviv boasts many interesting and original stained glass creations. Talented craftsmen of past epochs have bequeathed us an invaluable heritage. It's no wonder that Ukrposhta (Ukrainian Postal Service) issued a series of stamps titled 'Stained Glass Windows of Old Lviv.' Let's take a closer look at some of these artistic masterpieces.
Top 10 Unique Stained Glass Windows in Lviv
Of course, the churches
While not the most well-known in Lviv, one of the most beautiful shrines in the city is undoubtedly the Church of Saint John the Baptist of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Today, it serves as an academic student church, but it was originally constructed in the late 19th century as a Roman Catholic church. This is an extraordinary building. Its true adornments are the stained glass windows created in the late 19th century by the Munich-based Mayer firm. Right above the entrance to the church, there is a stained glass window depicting the Virgin Mary. The most valuable treasure of this shrine is the stained glass depictions of St. Melania, Jesus Christ, and Archangel Michael on the altar.
Many stained glass windows are found in the Latin Cathedral. They can be seen in the chancel, in the side chapels, and even near the organ. The latter features a grand stained glass image of the Virgin Mary, the protector of Lviv. The beautiful stained glass windows in the Church of St. Anthony are partially preserved authentic works. There are over twenty stained glass windows in the Church of St. Andrew, which is the highest number in Lviv. They are on the facade of the shrine, in the chancel, and so on. In the church's chancel, there is a stained glass window of the Virgin Mary with the child, and she is dressed in an embroidered shirt (vyshyvanka). On the facade, there is a stained glass window depicting the patron of the church and the Holy Eucharist. The Holy Apostles Peter and Paul can be seen on the stained glass window of the Garrison Church. Mosaic stained glass windows are fragmentarily preserved in the Dominican Cathedral. You can see new but beautiful stained glass windows in the Church of Saints Olga and Elizabeth.
Residential buildings
One of the largest stained glass windows in Ukraine can be found in a building located at 11 Hertsen Street in Lviv. It stretches an impressive eleven meters, starting from the first floor and reaching up to the fourth. This stained glass masterpiece portrays the mountain landscapes of the Carpathians and was created at the beginning of the 20th century based on the design by the architect Jan Bagensky.
Another equally beautiful stained glass window can be admired in the building at 34 Kniazia Romana Street. This stained glass dates back over a century and was crafted in the workshop of Stanislav Zhelensky. In essence, it comprises a series of rectangular stained glass panels that adorn the stairwell of the building. The theme of these stained glass panels is landscape scenes, likely representing different seasons of the year.
Administrative buildings
One of the most fascinating and unique structures in Lviv, cherished by many Lviv residents and visitors, is the building of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office. This building is known for its richness and combination of decorative elements. Among these elements, there are remarkable floral stained glass windows created by the firm of Stanislav Zhelensky, as previously mentioned.
One of the most famous hotels in ancient Lviv was the "Krakivsky," located in a modern building on Soborna Square, 7. Today, this building houses the Appellate Court. Stained glass windows in this building are situated on the staircases and were crafted in 1914 in Stanislav Zhelensky's workshop.
The mentioned examples are just a small part of the stained glass variety that can be found in Lviv. A story about the stained glass in our city can be much longer and more detailed since here we've only focused on specific unique masterpieces.
