This 1960 Soviet art postcard presents a view of Mickiewicz Square in Lviv, with the monument to the Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz at the center of the composition.
What is shown on the postcard
In the foreground, there is a landscaped square with trimmed conical shrubs, flowerbeds, and a stepped terrace. In the center of the square stands the Adam Mickiewicz Monument, designed as a column featuring the poet’s statue and a flying angel. Behind the monument is a monumental multi-story building (the Sprecher House) with a Soviet metal five-pointed star structure installed on its roof. To the right, the tall tower of the Latin Cathedral is visible. A yellow-and-blue city bus and pedestrian figures can be seen crossing the square.
Historical note
Mickiewicz Square (formerly Mariacka Square) was formed in the 19th century on the site of former city fortifications along the Poltva River, which was enclosed in an underground collector. The monument to Adam Mickiewicz was unveiled in 1904. The dominant building on the square, the Sprecher House, was constructed in the neoclassical style with Art Nouveau elements in the early 20th century and was one of Lviv’s first high-rise buildings.
Present day
Today, the square retains its layout and historic architecture. The Adam Mickiewicz Monument and the surrounding buildings are registered cultural heritage sites. Soviet-era symbols have been removed from the roof of the Sprecher House, and its ground floors continue to serve retail and administrative purposes.
Location (map)
Address: Mickiewicz Square, Lviv, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates: 49.839700, 24.030100
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the Adam Mickiewicz Monument on Mickiewicz Square in Lviv.
Questions and answers
- What monument is shown in the center of the postcard? The center of the postcard shows the monument to the Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz, which was unveiled in 1904.
- What building stands directly behind the monument? Directly behind the monument is the multi-story neoclassical building known as the Sprecher House.
- Which religious landmark is visible in the background on the right? The tall tower of the Latin Roman Catholic Cathedral is visible on the right side of the background.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Lviv from 1960.
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