Lviv's Cultural Elite

Exhibit 9

The L’viv Elite

In the 16th-17th centuries, L’viv was an important political, economic and cultural center of the Ukrainian lands. This was the period of the cultural development and thriving of Ukraine, and L’viv played a vital role in this process. Then renowned people of different ethnicities lived and worked there, who made the city elite. Their works of art, architecture, literature and science made L’viv famous all over Europe and the world.

A notable page in the history of L’viv was the work and activities of merchants and craftsmen, who often were philanthropists and patrons of arts, Kostiantyn Korniakt and George Boim among them.  It was the time of change for many cities, more and more stone buildings appeared next to wooden houses. In L’viv the stone house of the merchant Korniakt became especially popular, with its multi-storied open galleries and a spacious courtyard.

In the 16th century the architect Petro Krasovsky built the famous Renaissance Black House on the Market Square. This building still remains one of the most impressive historical and architectural landmarks of L’viv.  

In the 17th century, the Baroque style became prevailing in architecture. A prominent representative of the late Baroque in the 18th century was the famous sculptor Johan George Pinsel, who created his masterpieces in L’viv and other cities of the area.  

Jozef Bartlomiej Zymorowich, a L’viv citizen of Armenian descent, was a renowned writer of the time, the city Burgomaster, and the author of the first history of L’viv entitled The Triple Lviv. Doctor Martin Großweier, the Deputy Burgomaster, is remembered as a leader of the defense of the city during the siege by the Cossack army of Bohdan Khmelnytsky.    

Now we must introduce to you the legendary Yuri Kulchytsky, the hero of the battle of Vienna. He was also the one who created his own recipe of coffee and taught Europe to drink coffee with milk and sugar — what we now call the Vienna coffee.

Historic figures exhibited here are shown against the background of the L’viv streets, squares and courtyards of those times. This will help you to feel the city atmosphere of the 16th-18th centuries.  You will find more information on this period on the monitors and touchscreens. 

I, the Italian, born in Switzerland, who converted to the local Ruthenian Church and became a rightful citizen of L’viv, created one of the best buildings on the main Market Square — the mysterious and remarkable Black House. It remembers many secrets, legends, and exciting stories about people of our wonderful city, the jewel of Europe….

Yes, I am an enigmatic artist! But I saw the works of the great Michelangelo and Donatello, and the faces of my angels reflect both their titanic Renaissance power, and the unique beauty of the European Baroque. My favorite material is not the Italian or Austrian marble, but the Ukrainian wood. The plasticity and vitality of my works are incredible, they continue to impress people, who saw them in the best museums of Paris, Vienna, and Warsaw.    

And if a brother would shame his brother with words, he shall be punished — sit on the bell tower, and give a stone of wax, and apologize right then and there to that brother and the brotherhood. And the brother who was punished by sitting or blaming, shall apologize to the one whom he wronged at once after the punishment, never let the sun go down upon your wrath.  

The surgeon must only practice manually, the pharmacist or herbalist must only make remedies, but only Masters of Medicine or licensed doctors are allowed to use these remedies.

Rome is the capital of the world, Damask is the eye of the East, Antwerp is a jewel among other cities, Florence is the bearer of light, Venice is the queen of the sea, while L’viv is a gem and citadel of Rus.

«Black as night, sweet as sin, hot as a kiss, strong as a curse». The L’viv coffee is something more than just a delicious and rich drink.