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Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth in Lviv: History and Tips

Leo Apartment
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Neo-Gothic main façade of the Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth in Lviv with a rose window and spires

The Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth in Lviv is a neo-Gothic church next to the main railway station, the first landmark many visitors see. Its tower, about 88 metres high, is one of the tallest points in Lviv, and the church’s silhouette is often compared to the cathedrals of Western Europe.

It was built in the early 20th century as the Roman Catholic Church of St. Elizabeth. Here is the story of the church, its architecture and what to see inside.

Where Is the Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth

The church stands at 1 Kropyvnytskoho Square, at the start of Horodotska Street. It is a few minutes’ walk from the main railway station, so many travellers see it as soon as they arrive in Lviv. The Stepan Bandera monument, unveiled in 2007, stands on the same square.

Bronze monument to Stepan Bandera against tall columns on Kropyvnytskoho Square in Lviv
The Stepan Bandera monument on Kropyvnytskoho Square.

Rynok Square is about 2 km away: a 25-minute walk or a few stops by tram towards the centre. On the way, stop at St. George’s Cathedral.

The Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth at dusk seen from the street, with tram wires in front
The church at dusk from the street.

History of the Church

A Church for Railway Workers

In the early 20th century the district around the station was growing fast, and railway workers needed their own parish. The cornerstone was laid in 1903, the foundations in 1904, and construction was completed in 1911.

The church was dedicated to St. Elizabeth of Hungary in memory of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, who was assassinated in Geneva in 1898.

Architect Teodor Talowski

The design was by Teodor Marian Talowski, one of Lviv’s best-known architects of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He did not live to see the church finished, dying in 1910. Sculptors Petro Viitovych, Ludwik Rzepichowski and other masters worked on the decoration.

Tower of the Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth in red brick and pale stone with a cross on the spire
One of the towers: red brick and pale stone.

The 20th Century

During the Polish-Ukrainian war of 1918–1919 the church was damaged by shelling: a shell with a Latin inscription about the siege is still visible in the wall. In 1946 the Soviet authorities closed the church and later used it as a warehouse.

In 1991 it was handed over to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and dedicated to Saints Olha and Elizabeth. After repairs in the 1990s, services are held here every day again. In January 2026 the church’s stained-glass windows were damaged during a Russian attack on Lviv.

What to See

Main entrance of the Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth: an arched portal below the rose window, with steps
The main entrance below the rose window.
  • The main tower. The tall spire with a clock is visible from the station and from many points in the city.
  • The neo-Gothic façade. Pointed windows, a rose window above the entrance and a statue of St. Elizabeth by Tadeusz Błotnicki (1910).
  • The stained-glass iconostasis. Installed in 2016, it was the first iconostasis in Ukraine made as stained glass.
  • The Crucifixion on the main façade. A sculpture group with the Virgin Mary and St. John by Petro Viitovych.
  • A trace of the 1919 war. The shell in the wall with the inscription “Ex obsidione ruthenorum”.
Sculpted Crucifixion with the Virgin Mary and St. John on a gable of the Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth
The Crucifixion with the Virgin Mary and St. John by Petro Viitovych.

How to Visit

This is a working church with free admission. It is best to come outside service times; dress modestly and avoid taking photos during services.

Interior of the Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth: the nave with a chandelier, banners and stained glass above the altar
The nave and the altar.

The observation deck in the tower is not open on a regular basis. If you want to go up, ask the parish in advance.

Tall white columns and pointed vaults inside the Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth, with a chequered floor
Columns and neo-Gothic vaults.

Tips

  • The best angle. You can fit the whole church in a photo from the opposite side of Kropyvnytskoho Square or from Horodotska Street.
  • In the evening. The façade is lit up, so the church looks beautiful after sunset.
  • Arriving by train? The church is easy to see right after you arrive or before you leave: the station is a few minutes away.

Where to Stay Nearby

Our apartment on Lystopadovoho Chynu Street is next to St. George’s Cathedral, between the station and the centre. From there it is easy to walk both to the Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth and to Rynok Square.

See more options in our apartments for rent in Lviv section.

Planning a trip? Book an apartment in Lviv directly, with no intermediaries or commission, and start exploring the city right from the station.

FAQ about the Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth

Where is the Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth?

At 1 Kropyvnytskoho Square, a few minutes’ walk from Lviv’s main railway station.

When was the church built?

In 1903–1911, to a design by the architect Teodor Talowski.

How tall is the tower?

About 88 metres, which makes it one of the tallest buildings in Lviv.

Why was it called the Church of St. Elizabeth?

It was dedicated to St. Elizabeth of Hungary in memory of Empress Elisabeth (Sisi). After it was handed over to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in 1991, it became the Church of Saints Olha and Elizabeth.

Can I go inside?

Yes, it is a working Greek Catholic church with free admission. It is best to visit outside service times.

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