ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPLEX OF THE ANCIENT MONASTERY OF THE SHOED CARMELITES IN THE CITY OF LVIV

2025;
: 160-193
Authors:
1
Lviv Polytechnic National University, Department of Architecture and Conservation

Relevance of the topic: In the heart of Lviv, there is a preserved 17th-century building — a monastery with cells, three stories high with basements, which is not listed as an architectural monument. The historic building has not been the subject of scientific architectural study. There are no measurements of the object. The cell building was part of a large complex of buildings belonging to the former Catholic monastery of the Shoed Carmelite Order in the city of Lviv. The monastery, which was founded just outside the Galician Gate, on the outskirts of the city center, existed in the Galician suburbs from 1614 to 1870. The monastery church of St. Leonard and most of the buildings, as well as the garden, were lost at the end of the 19th century. Until recently, the only surviving building housed one of the research departments of the Polytechnic University, and access to it was restricted. This factor contributed to the preservation of the cell house in a relatively intact state. The building, which in the past served as monastery cells, has a „Г”-shaped layout. The building has three floors and a corridor-type layout with cells on both sides. The floors are cross vaults on all levels and in the basement. Most of the basements are filled with construction debris and soil. Today, due to changes in the functional use of the building, renovation work is being carried out, during which a number of architectural details from the 17th century have been discovered. The remains of an old heating system with chimneys, relics of paintings in the interiors and on the outer south end wall, and other valuable elements have been found. One of the walls of this monastery building was once a shared wall with the Church of St. Leonard. Fragments of polychrome figurative paintings have been preserved on this wall. They should be considered unique remnants of the ancient artistic decoration of the church interior. The church itself has been completely lost, with the exception of this fragment of the wall and the crypts preserved underground, covered with soil. 

The purpose of the study is to reveal the history of the monastery, highlight its architectural features, and develop proposals for commemorating and museumification of the remains of the church building, as well as a concept for conservation and restoration measures and adaptation of the cell building. 

Research results: The stages of construction of the monastery complex buildings were identified, and the stylistic features of individual buildings were characterized. Due to the fact that the monastery was part of the defensive system of the central part of Lviv, the architectural features of its defensive walls and ramparts, their connection with other fortifications in the city center and the Galician suburbs were studied.

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