This 1971 Soviet postcard depicts the central pedestrian promenade of Svobody Avenue (known as Lenin Avenue at the time) in Lviv, looking towards the grand building of the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre.
What is shown on the postcard
The foreground shows a wide paved pedestrian alley lined on both sides with lush, leafy green trees. Numerous benches are installed along the path, with residents resting on them. Pedestrians in early 1970s attire are strolling along the avenue. In the background, the historic facade and distinctive green dome of the Lviv Opera House rise. At the very bottom, a section of the roadway is visible with a red passenger car passing by.
Historical note
Svobody Avenue is the main street of Lviv. The development of this boulevard began at the end of the 18th century following the demolition of the city’s defensive walls. The central pedestrian promenade was laid out over the bed of the Poltva River, which was enclosed in an underground sewer. During the Soviet period, the avenue was named after Lenin. The Opera and Ballet Theatre closing the avenue’s perspective was built at the turn of the 20th century by architect Zygmunt Gorgolewski.
Present day
Today, Svobody Avenue remains the principal promenade and a major tourist hub in Lviv. The pedestrian boulevard retains its original layout, regularly hosting city festivals, fairs, and public events. The Solomiya Krushelnytska Lviv State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre has been fully restored and continues to operate as an active cultural venue.
Location (map)
Address: Svobody Avenue, Lviv, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates: 49.843500, 24.026500
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the pedestrian alley on Svobody Avenue in front of the Opera House.
Questions and answers
- Which building is visible at the end of the alley on the postcard? At the end of the pedestrian promenade in the background rises the historic building of the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre.
- What was Svobody Avenue called during the Soviet era? During the Soviet period, when the 1971 postcard was published, Svobody Avenue was named after Lenin.
- Which river flows beneath the pedestrian boulevard? The Poltva River flows beneath the pedestrian boulevard in an underground sewer.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Lviv from 1971.
