About This Site

The Boim Chapel is a monument of religious architecture in Cathedral Square, Lviv, constructed from 1609 to 1615. It is part of Lviv's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Boim Chapel is a unique monument of Renaissance architecture, located in Cathedral Square in Lviv, near the Latin Cathedral. Built in 1609-1615 to designs by architect Andrzej Bemer for the wealthy patrician Boim family who came to Lviv from Hungary. The chapel was founded by George (Jerzy) Boim as a family burial place and was finished by his son, Paweł Boim. Fourteen members of the Boim family are buried in the chapel's crypt. The building is remarkable for its rich architectural decoration — the facade is completely covered with sculptural compositions in sandstone, depicting biblical scenes. The chapel is built on a square plan and covered by a paneled dome based on an octagonal tambour. Above the chapel rises a lantern on eight fluted pilasters with Corinthian capitals, crowned with a small dome bearing a statue of Christ on top. The western facade, the most ornate, features statues of apostles Peter and Paul, medallions of prophets, and relief compositions of the Passion of Christ. The interior decoration is executed in stucco and includes figures of prophets, angels holding cartouches, and images of patron saints — Stanislaus and Adalbert. The dome is divided into 36 rectangular panels depicting Christ, apostles, prophets and saints. This unique 'Bible of the Poor' — an architectural sermon in stone.

Historical Significance

The Boim family came to Lviv from the Kingdom of Hungary; their national origin remains unclear. They were affluent patricians of Catholic background who became polonized. George (Jerzy) Boim is credited with founding the chapel, which was completed by his son Paweł Boim. The chapel was designed by renowned Lviv architect Andrzej Bemer, who followed a simplified diagram of the Sigismund's Chapel at Wawel Cathedral in Kraków, adding Italian elements. Sculptural works were executed by masters Jan Scholtz (likely from Königsberg) and Hans Fischer. The ornamental decorations are of Dutch provenance, while narrative reliefs bear resemblance to those found in central and southern Poland, but are presumably based on German or Dutch graphic models. The appearance of the facade and altar recalls the iconostasis form, combining Western European and Eastern architectural traditions. In the second half of the 18th century, the chapel ceased to be used by the Boim family as a burial place. The chapel is part of Lviv's historic center, which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998.

Highlights

• ✓Unique Renaissance facade completely covered with sculptures
• ✓Relief compositions of the Passion of Christ
• ✓Statues of apostles Peter and Paul
• ✓Paneled dome with 36 images of saints
• ✓Part of UNESCO World Heritage Site
• ✓Architecture by Andrzej Bemer
• ✓Family crypt of 14 Boim family members

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