This 1960 Soviet color postcard showcases the main facade of the Ivan Franko State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, located on the central avenue of Lviv.
What is shown on the postcard
The image captures the grand facade of the theatre, featuring its three-arched portico, Corinthian columns, allegorical sculptures on the pediment, and the central dome. In front of the building, a paved square is visible with a parked vintage Soviet GAZ-M20 “Pobeda” car. A few pedestrians cross the square, and a multi-story historical building is seen on the right.
Historical note
Construction of the Grand City Theatre began in 1897, designed by architect Zygmunt Gorgolewski, and was completed in October 1900. During the Soviet era, specifically in 1956, the theatre was named after the prominent Ukrainian writer Ivan Franko, serving as a key cultural hub in Western Ukraine.
Present day
Today, the venue is known as the Solomiya Krushelnytska Lviv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. The building has fully preserved its historic architecture and sculptural details, remaining an iconic landmark of Lviv. The square in front has been pedestrianized and features a modern fountain.
Location (map)
Address: 28 Svobody Avenue, Lviv, Ukraine
Coordinates: 49.843989, 24.026245
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the main entrance of the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre..
Questions and answers
- Whose name did the theatre bear in 1960? In 1960, the theatre was named after the Ukrainian writer Ivan Franko.
- What car is visible in front of the building? A Soviet GAZ-M20 “Pobeda” passenger car is parked in the square in front of the theatre.
- What is the theatre’s name today? Today, it is known as the Solomiya Krushelnytska Lviv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Lviv from 1960.
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