About This Site

The Latin Cathedral is the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral in Lviv, built in the 14th-15th centuries. Gothic architecture with Baroque bell tower from 1776. Residence of the Lviv Archbishop.

The Archcathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, usually called simply the Latin Cathedral, is a 14th-century Latin Catholic cathedral in Lviv, western Ukraine. It is located in the city's Old Town, in the south western corner of the market square, called Cathedral Square. The first church built on this site was a small wooden Latin Catholic church dedicated to the Holy Trinity, built in 1344 and lost in a fire six years later. In 1360, Casimir III the Great, the King of Poland and of Ruthenia began the construction of the current church in Gothic style, intended to be the cathedral of the newly created See of Lwów. The church was consecrated in 1405, and the parish was moved here from the Church of Our Lady of the Snow. In 1412, the Latin See was transferred from Halych. Construction work continued throughout the 15th century, and the cathedral was finally consecrated in 1481. The cathedral witnessed many significant events. In 1440, the Metropolitan of Kyiv, Cardinal Isidore of Kyiv celebrated a Holy Mass for Christian unity when he stopped in Lwów on his way back from the Council of Florence. It was visited by several Polish kings, most notably by John II Casimir Vasa, who entrusted the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth to the care of Mary, mother of Jesus in the Lwów Oath. Between 1761 and 1776, the cathedral was rebuilt in the Baroque style and a tall bell tower was added. The works were led by architect Piotr Polejowski and sculptors Johann Georg Pinsel and Maciej Polejowski, under the commission of Archbishop Wacław Hieronim Sierakowski. In 1776 the 16th-century miraculous icon of the Our Lady of Grace, painted by Józef Szolc-Wolfowicz, held in the cathedral was crowned and placed in the main altar. In 1892–1898, the presbytery was remodelled in Gothic Revival style and stained glass, designed by Józef Mehoffer. The cathedral was raised to the rank of minor basilica in 1928.

Historical Significance

The first wooden church on this site was built in 1344 and lost in a fire. In 1360, Casimir III the Great began construction of the Gothic church. The church was consecrated in 1405. In 1412, the Latin See was transferred from Halych to Lviv. Construction continued until 1481 when the cathedral was finally consecrated. Over the centuries, it witnessed many historical events, including the Lwów Oath of 1656. In 1761-1776, the cathedral was rebuilt in Baroque style with a tall bell tower added. In 1892-1898, the presbytery was remodelled in Gothic Revival style. In 1928, the cathedral received the rank of minor basilica. During Soviet occupation 1945-1991, although the cathedral was not closed, most clergy were arrested or deported. After the collapse of the USSR, the cathedral resumed its role as the main Roman Catholic church of Lviv.

Highlights

• ✓Gothic architecture from 14th-15th centuries
• ✓Baroque bell tower from 1776 (67 m height)
• ✓Golden Chapel (Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament)
• ✓Miraculous icon of Our Lady of Grace
• ✓Catacombs-crypt
• ✓Stained glass by Józef Mehoffer
• ✓Main altar with Last Supper
• ✓Residence of Lviv Archbishop

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