This 1971 Soviet art postcard captures the architectural ensemble of the eastern side of Rynok Square in Lviv, home to branches of the Lviv Historical Museum.
What is shown on the postcard
The foreground shows the cobblestone pavement of Rynok Square. On the right, part of the Adonis Fountain with its sculpture is visible, where several young women in summer attire sit on a low metal railing, and a woman stands nearby with a baby stroller. Pedestrians walk across the square, and a red passenger car is parked near the sidewalk. In the background are three historic buildings: the Bandinelli Palace (No. 2), the Ubaldini Palace (No. 3), and the Black House (No. 4). On the far left horizon, the dome of the Latin Cathedral rises.
Historical note
Founded in 1893, the Lviv Historical Museum is one of Ukraine’s oldest museums. During the Soviet era, its main exhibitions were housed in historic buildings on Rynok Square, including the Black House (Chorna Kamyanytsya), a 16th-century Renaissance architectural monument faced with hewn stone that darkened over time, and the nearby Korniakt Palace (No. 6). The ensemble depicted on the postcard reflects the preservation of the historic city center’s architecture during the Soviet period.
Present day
Today, these buildings are fully preserved and restored. The Black House (No. 4) continues to house the Department of History of the Ukrainian Diaspora of the Lviv Historical Museum, while the former Bandinelli Palace (No. 2) houses the Post Museum. Rynok Square is a pedestrian zone and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Location (map)
Address: 2-4 Rynok Square, Lviv, Ukraine
Coordinates: 49.841800, 24.032200
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Eastern side of Rynok Square.
Questions and answers
- Which specific buildings are shown on the postcard? The postcard depicts historic houses No. 2 (Bandinelli Palace), No. 3 (Ubaldini Palace), and No. 4 (Black House) on the eastern side of Rynok Square.
- What is the monument visible on the right in the foreground? It is part of the Adonis Fountain, featuring a sculpture of the ancient Greek mythological figure, located at one of the corners of Rynok Square.
- What institution occupies these buildings? These buildings house exhibition departments of the Lviv Historical Museum.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Lviv from 1971.
