This collectible 1960 Soviet postcard showcases the historic building of the Intourist Hotel (currently the George Hotel) in Lviv.
What is shown on the postcard
The foreground depicts a cobblestone-paved square with a dark Soviet GAZ-M-20 ‘Pobeda’ passenger car driving past. In the center stands the four-story corner hotel building, designed in the Neo-Renaissance style with a mansard roof. The facade features neon signs reading ‘ГОСТИНИЦА’ (Hotel), ‘ІНТУРИСТ’ (Intourist), and ‘РЕСТОРАН’ (Restaurant), along with the circular logo of the Soviet Intourist travel agency. To the right, a section of a green square with a decorative fence and a tall trimmed tree is visible.
Historical note
The hotel building was constructed in 1900–1901 by the famous Viennese architectural studio Fellner & Helmer on the site of an earlier hotel. During the Soviet era, starting from the late 1940s, the hotel was integrated into the ‘Intourist’ state network and primarily accommodated foreign visitors traveling to Lviv.
Present day
Today, the historic building has reclaimed its original name, the George Hotel. It has preserved its architectural exterior and continues to operate as a functional hotel, listed as a local architectural monument.
Location (map)
Address: 1 Mickiewicz Square, Lviv, Ukraine
Coordinates: 49.839800, 24.030500
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: George Hotel (former Intourist), 1 Mickiewicz Square.
Questions and answers
- What was the Soviet name of the hotel? During the Soviet era, including in 1960, the hotel was named ‘Intourist’.
- What car is pictured in the foreground? The postcard depicts a Soviet-made GAZ-M-20 ‘Pobeda’ car driving on the cobblestone road.
- What is the hotel called today? Today, the historic building has reclaimed its original name, the George Hotel.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Lviv from 1960.
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