Transfiguration Church in Lviv: History, Architecture and What to See

The Transfiguration Church in Lviv (Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord) stands at 21 Krakivska Street, a few minutes’ walk from Market Square. It is an active Greek Catholic church and an architectural landmark within Lviv’s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The present building was erected at the end of the 19th century on the site of a Trinitarian church. Over more than three centuries this spot has been a monastery, a university library and a ruin after the fire of 1848, and a shell from 1919 is still embedded in the church wall.

Where Is the Transfiguration Church?

The church is located at 21 Krakivska Street. Krakivska Street starts at Market Square, so the church is easy to include in a walk around the Old Town. Its two towers are visible from a distance, so it is hard to miss.

The History of the Transfiguration Church

The Trinitarian Church and Monastery

At the beginning of the 18th century, the Trinitarians, a religious order known for ransoming captives, settled near the Krakow Gate. In 1703–1731 they built the Church of the Holy Trinity here. It was founded by Anna Wielhorska and her son Antoni.

The University Library

In 1783 Emperor Joseph II dissolved the order. The former church was turned into the library and assembly hall of Lviv University, which was ceremonially opened on 16 November 1784.

The Fire of 1848 and the New Church

On 2 November 1848, during the revolutionary events, the university buildings were destroyed by artillery fire and a blaze. Later Emperor Franz Joseph I gave the site to the city’s Ukrainian community, then called Ruthenians, to build a church.

The new church was designed by architect Sylvester Havryshkevych, and the design was approved in 1874. Construction lasted from 1878 to 1898, and on 29 April 1906 the church was consecrated by Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky.

The Shell in the Wall

On 6 January 1919, during the Ukrainian-Polish fighting for Lviv, a shell hit the church wall but did not explode. It was left embedded in the wall and marked with the date, and the masonry around it was left unplastered. The inscription changed during later restorations, and today the date next to the shell reads “5.1.1919”.

1989: Return to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

On 29 October 1989, Father Yaroslav Chukhnii, the priest of the Transfiguration Church, announced a prayer for Pope John Paul II during the Divine Liturgy. This made it the first parish in Lviv to openly return to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which was still operating underground at the time.

Architecture of the Church

The building combines Neoclassical and Baroque features. The main façade on Krakivska Street has two towers with domes and tall columns on either side of the entrance, while another dome rises above the central part of the church.

The light façade contrasts with the dark domes, so the best view of the church opens from Krakivska Street, a little way back from the entrance.

Interior of the Transfiguration Church

Inside, the painted blue vaults, gilded decoration, icons on the walls and the iconostasis at the far end catch the eye. The sculptor Leonard Marconi and the painters Teofil Kopystynskyi and Kornylo Ustyianovych took part in decorating the interior.

This is an active church, so it is best to visit outside the services.

What to See Nearby

From the church you can walk in a few minutes to Market Square and the Town Hall, the Armenian Quarter and the Dominican Cathedral. A good place to finish the walk is Lviv Opera House on Svobody Avenue.

Where to Stay Near the Transfiguration Church

Our apartment on Krakivska Street is on the same street, right next to the church. From here, Market Square, the Armenian Quarter and most Old Town landmarks are within walking distance.

Tips for Visiting

• The Transfiguration Church is an active church. Check the service schedule on the parish website (in Ukrainian).
• During services, keep quiet, take photos without flash and do not disturb worshippers.
• Dress modestly: it is best to cover shoulders and knees.
• The church’s feast day is the Transfiguration of the Lord on 6 August.
• Do not miss the 1919 shell in the wall, one of the church’s most curious details.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Transfiguration Church

Where is the Transfiguration Church in Lviv?

At 21 Krakivska Street in the city centre, a few minutes’ walk from Market Square.

When was the Transfiguration Church built?

The present church was built in 1878–1898 to a design by Sylvester Havryshkevych on the site of the Trinitarian church. It was consecrated by Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky on 29 April 1906.

Which Church does it belong to?

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. In 1989 it was the first parish in Lviv to openly return to the UGCC.

What is the shell in the church wall?

The shell hit the wall on 6 January 1919 during the fighting for Lviv and did not explode. It was left in the wall as a reminder of those events.

Can you go inside?

It is an active church. Check the service schedule on the parish website and be respectful during services.