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Lviv City Hall: History, the Tower and How to Climb It

Leo Apartment
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Illuminated façade of Lviv City Hall with the Ukrainian flag and a tram on Rynok Square at night

Lviv City Hall is the main building on Rynok Square and the place where the city government has worked for more than six centuries. Its 65-metre tower is the tallest town hall tower in Ukraine, and its observation deck overlooks the entire historic centre of Lviv.

The current City Hall was built in 1827–1835 on the site of the old one, whose tower had collapsed. Here is the history of the building, the tower clock and how to climb to the top.

Where Is Lviv City Hall

The City Hall stands in the middle of 1 Rynok Square. On the ground floor there is a Tourist Information Centre where you can pick up a map, find out about tours and get a pass for the tower.

From the City Hall it is a few minutes’ walk to the Opera House, the Armenian Quarter and the City Arsenal Museum.

The clock tower of Lviv City Hall above Old Town buildings against a blue sky
The City Hall tower can be seen from many Old Town streets.

History of Lviv City Hall

The First Town Halls

According to tradition, the first town hall, probably wooden, was built in the 1370s. It burned down in 1381, but documents mention a town hall again the following year. In 1489–1504 the building was enlarged, and in 1619 a new octagonal tower was built at the expense of mayor Marcin Kampian.

The Tower Collapse of 1826

On 14 July 1826 the old tower suddenly collapsed, killing people under the rubble. It was decided to pull down the town hall and build a new one.

The New City Hall

The cornerstone of the current City Hall was laid on 21 October 1827, and construction was completed in 1835. It was designed by the architects Joseph Markl, Franz Trescher and Joseph Wondraschka. It is a four-storey, square Classicist building with an inner courtyard.

The Fire of 1848

On 2 November 1848, during the revolutionary events, Austrian artillery shelled the city centre. The City Hall caught fire, the tower dome collapsed, and the clock and bells were lost. In 1851 the tower was rebuilt to a design by Johann Salzmann: instead of a dome it was given the crenellated top we see today.

Top of the Lviv City Hall tower with its clock and crenellated crown in the light of sunset
The crenellated top of the tower dates from the 1851 rebuilding.

What to See

  • The tower and observation deck. From more than 60 metres up there is a panorama of the Old Town’s tiled roofs, towers and domes.
  • The 1851 clock. The mechanism by the Viennese firm Stiehl is one of the last mechanical tower clocks in Europe still in operation. You can see it up close on the way to the top.
  • The stone lions at the entrance. They hold the city’s coat of arms and are a favourite photo spot.
  • The lobby and inner courtyard. The building still houses the Lviv City Council, but anyone can enter the lobby and the Tourist Information Centre.
The white tower of Lviv City Hall with two clock faces, a balcony and the Ukrainian flag on the spire
The Ukrainian flag flies above the City Hall tower.
Cast-iron tower clock mechanism of Lviv City Hall with gears, drums and a dial
The tower clock mechanism. The plate reads “No. 111, Construirt von Wilhelm Stiehl”.

How to Climb the City Hall Tower

As of October 2026, you can only climb the tower on the day of your visit after advance registration. Register on the lviv.travel website and pick up your pass at the Tourist Information Centre in the City Hall.

  • Tickets: UAH 100 for adults, UAH 50 for children aged 7–13 and full-time students; free for some categories.
  • Opening hours: on weekdays the tower is open in the evening, at weekends from 10:00. The schedule changes, so check it before your visit.
  • Stairs: 364 steps lead to the deck, some of them steep and wooden. There is no lift.
Narrow wooden spiral staircase inside the Lviv City Hall tower, seen from above
Part of the 364 steps up the tower is a steep wooden spiral staircase.
Dome of the Dominican Church, the Korniakt Tower and the green domes of the Dormition Church, seen from the Lviv City Hall tower in autumn
From the viewing platform: the Dominican Church and the Korniakt Tower.

Tips

  • Register in the morning. At weekends and on holidays the evening slots fill up quickly.
  • Go up at sunset. Warm light on the roofs and towers is the best time for photos.
  • Dress for the weather. It is windy at the top even in summer.
  • Mind the children. The stairs are steep, so hold small children by the hand.

Read more about the houses, fountains and history around the City Hall in our Rynok Square guide.

Where to Stay Nearby

Our apartment on Valova Street is a few minutes’ walk from the City Hall. After an evening climb you can walk home without a taxi.

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 stay close to Rynok Square.

FAQ about Lviv City Hall

How tall is the City Hall tower?

65 metres. It is the tallest town hall tower in Ukraine.

How many steps are there to the top?

364 steps lead to the observation deck.

How much does the climb cost?

As of October 2026, UAH 100 for adults and UAH 50 for children aged 7–13 and students.

Do I need to register?

Yes, visitors are only allowed up on the day of the visit with advance registration and a pass from the Tourist Information Centre.

When was the current City Hall built?

In 1827–1835, after the old tower collapsed in 1826. The tower was rebuilt in 1851 after the fire of 1848.

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