Zhovkva

Civil institutions

City hall

The first stone city hall was built in the Renaissance style. The city hall was constructed by the architect peter Beber in the year of 1687. The solar watch is located on the wall of the city hall and there is an inscription below: «Міра мірою, а продаж і купно згідно з часом». It was dismantled in 1832 due to the critical condition. The local counselors had to conduct their meetings at first in one of the houses in Lvivska street, and later – in the front phase of the castle.

Modern city hall was built in 1932 i.e. in 100 years after the previous one was dismantled. It was built according to the competitive design of the architect Bronislav Victor in place of the former barracks and casemates. In the pre-war period from the city hall the city blower at noon performed the specially composed melody — «Kheinal».

Castle

Was laid in 1594 by Zhovkva founder Stanislav Zholkevskyi. The construction process lasted until 1606 and was performed by Pavlo Shchaslyvyi. It is also known that upon the invitation of Zholkevskyi such well-known architects as Amvrosiy Prykhylnyi, Pavlo Rymlianyn, Petro Beber worked here. On the castle façade there were the statues of the first four owners of Zhovkva: Zholkevskyis, Danylovychs, Sobieskis, Radzyvyls. In the yard there is the house where the city owners resided. The frontal phase was the armory, stables, and the place of residence for the soldiers and servants. There was a carriage court at the stable, and the smith shop was located at the armory. The eastern phase was the place of residence for the numerous guests of the castle. The kitchen, bakeries, storerooms were located in the western phase. The spring water was flowing under this phase through the oak water pipe. In the southern palace building there were private rooms of the castle owner, as well as the treasury, great halls for the formal reception. The main staircase was leading to them on the second floor. Also the chapel was adjacent to the owner’s room built in 1640.

The Mint functioned in the city – on the territory of the city since XVII century where the golden coins were engraved.

Typography

The typography of the Fathers Brazilians which is the part of the monastery complex till now functions as a printing office.

Jewish typography

Jewish typography was known around the world. It was established in 1690. The traditional religious literature was printed here, as well as the theological disputes of the authors who sent their work from different corners of the world. In 1795 the treatise «Palets Azariyi» (Azariah’s Finger) (written in 1727), where the issue of the Jewish esthetics is considered was printed here. The author of treatise is – Menakhem Gakogen.

The typography was located on Rynkova Square. It was the private typography of Ubi Fabus Lewi. The successors of Ubi Fabus owned the printing office in Zhovkva till the end of XVIII century.

Schools

Jewish schools

In 1640 Jews were allowed to open the yeshivah, religious educational institution where Talmud was mostly studied.

Civil institutions

City hall

The first stone city hall was built in the Renaissance style. The city hall was constructed by the architect peter Beber in the year of 1687. The solar watch is located on the wall of the city hall and there is an inscription below: «Міра мірою, а продаж і купно згідно з часом». It was dismantled in 1832 due to the critical condition. The local counselors had to conduct their meetings at first in one of the houses in Lvivska street, and later – in the front phase of the castle.

Modern city hall was built in 1932 i.e. in 100 years after the previous one was dismantled. It was built according to the competitive design of the architect Bronislav Victor in place of the former barracks and casemates. In the pre-war period from the city hall the city blower at noon performed the specially composed melody — «Kheinal».

Castle

Was laid in 1594 by Zhovkva founder Stanislav Zholkevskyi. The construction process lasted until 1606 and was performed by Pavlo Shchaslyvyi. It is also known that upon the invitation of Zholkevskyi such well-known architects as Amvrosiy Prykhylnyi, Pavlo Rymlianyn, Petro Beber worked here. On the castle façade there were the statues of the first four owners of Zhovkva: Zholkevskyis, Danylovychs, Sobieskis, Radzyvyls. In the yard there is the house where the city owners resided. The frontal phase was the armory, stables, and the place of residence for the soldiers and servants. There was a carriage court at the stable, and the smith shop was located at the armory. The eastern phase was the place of residence for the numerous guests of the castle. The kitchen, bakeries, storerooms were located in the western phase. The spring water was flowing under this phase through the oak water pipe. In the southern palace building there were private rooms of the castle owner, as well as the treasury, great halls for the formal reception. The main staircase was leading to them on the second floor. Also the chapel was adjacent to the owner’s room built in 1640.

The Mint functioned in the city – on the territory of the city since XVII century where the golden coins were engraved.

Typography

The typography of the Fathers Brazilians which is the part of the monastery complex till now functions as a printing office.

Jewish typography

Jewish typography was known around the world. It was established in 1690. The traditional religious literature was printed here, as well as the theological disputes of the authors who sent their work from different corners of the world. In 1795 the treatise «Palets Azariyi» (Azariah’s Finger) (written in 1727), where the issue of the Jewish esthetics is considered was printed here. The author of treatise is – Menakhem Gakogen.

The typography was located on Rynkova Square. It was the private typography of Ubi Fabus Lewi. The successors of Ubi Fabus owned the printing office in Zhovkva till the end of XVIII century.

Schools

Jewish schools

In 1640 Jews were allowed to open the yeshivah, religious educational institution where Talmud was mostly studied.

Religious institutions

Synagogue

Zhovkva synagogue belongs to the most outstanding Jewish monuments both in Ukraine and Europe. By its style and peculiarities the sanctuary is the Renaissance and Baroque fortification.

The first synagogue in Zhovkva was built in 1624 in the house of Aron Moshkovych and only in 1626 the first Rabin was appointed to it. This synagogue was wooden. In Jewish section called in the documents Jewish street, apart from synagogue there were all religious buildings necessary for the life of religious community: ritual sauna with mikvah (pool with the rainwater and spring water), shehitah (place for the finch slaughter), and the Rabin’s house, Beit haMidrash (school with the library and the praying hall).

Public and cultural life concentrated around the synagogue. In 1640 Zhovkva owners allowed Jews to open the religious school yeshivah near the synagogue with studying of Talmud. Mendel from Zhovkva, Elizer Favir, Benjamin Ozer, Yegudah ben Israel lectured there. Jewish community of the city was gradually growing – if in 1628 Jews occupied 21 houses, in 1680- already 88. In the second half of XVII century the population of Zhovkva was complemented by Lviv Jews.

The Jewish community in 1635 received the privilege from Stanislav Danylovych, and in 1664, 1678 and 1687 – privileges from Yan III Sobieski, under which the community received the permit for construction of the stone synagogue. In 1692the construction permit was received from the archbishop Yan Lypsky.

The stone synagogue in Zhovkva was erected in place of the wooden one – near the northern defense walls, near the gates called Zhydivska (Jewish). Like the sacral constructions of those times, it, if necessary should perform the defensive functions and be the shelter from the enemies. Synagogue had the walls, 2m thick and heavy door. After the construction of the main part, lengthwise the southern façade the chapel for women (ezrat nashym) was constructed. It was connected to the men’s chapel through six small windows, designed not for the visual perception but for listening of prayers due to which they were located quite high in the sunken chapel for women (the floor level was brick – 2,15 m).

After the fire in 1724 the synagogue was being completed. This is when the western block with the synagogue premises, porch and the women’s gallery over it were erected. During the fire 1833 the synagogue was heavily damaged but later it was restored. After the profound reconstruction of 1830-s the synagogue has changed – the façade was decorated with the “Cracow attic” with pseudo-loopholes.

The inner eastern part of synagogue called Aron-ha Kodesh was decorated with the two-layer portal, columns and gable with the Hebrew inscription. Over the Torah niche the round window was arranged. The fornication of the synagogue was decorated like the Catholic Church Tuscan column and pilaster was decorated with the rosaces and palmettes. The walls of the prayer hall were covered with the multicolored paintings with the symbolic animals and Jewish inscriptions.

At the beginning of XX century the issue of restoration came up due to its unsatisfactory condition. However, the reconstruction works were conducted inappropriately: the part of polychromy was destructed. The reconstruction works started in 9138 were not completed due to the lack of money.

Already in the first days of German occupation 1941, Nazis tried to destroy the synagogue. After the attempt to blow it the northern women’s gallery was completely destroyed, Western block lost the roof and emporium domes, and three fields of domes and columns were destroyed in the main praying hall as well as the roof above it.

In 1963 the partially reconstructed synagogue was listed in the National register of architectural monuments. Despite this status, the building was used as a warehouse. Since the beginning of 1990-s different reconstruction documents were elaborated, but, due to the absence of the necessary amount of money, the concept of integral synagogue reconstruction was not developed. In 2007 main block of the synagogue was covered with brass.

Roman-Catholic St. Lazarus Church

Built in 1606–1618 on the artificial fill, as a family mausoleum of Zholkevskyi family and pantheon of knightly glory. Stanislav Zholkevski is buried in the underground, together with his wife Regina Herburt and their son Jacob, Danylovych family, the king’s father Jacob Sobieski, king’s sons, state secretaries, abbots, temple patrons. By the number and significance of the burials of outstanding historical figures of Polish history the church is often called «The Small Wawel»

The church was built by Petro Shchaslyvyi, after his death 1610 — by Pavlo Rymlianyn and Amvrosiy Prykhylnyi. The temple in the form of Latin cross in the plan is decorated by the Byzantine dome, characteristic of Ukrainian wooden churches decorated by the sculpture friso, many decorative elements, sculpture of the Archangel Michael. The main entrance is framed with the white-stone carved portal with the images of Peter and Paul, st. Lawrence and Stanislav, Evangelists and Christ the Almighty surrounded by the angels’ heads and ornaments. This portal is considered the best Renaissance portal of Ukraine and Poland.

There was Organ in the temple. With coming of the Soviet power the temple became the warehouse for the fertilizers and at the beginning of 1990 organ disappeared. Now the operating Church of St. Lawrence of the Roman Catholic Church of Ukraine is located here. (Kolegiata p. w. Św. Wawrzyńca).

Dominican Monastery

The church on this place appeared for the first time only in XVI century. At first it was wooden and was burned after some time. The new temple was built of stone. The church was built in 1653—1655 at the expense of the funds of Teofilia Sobieska, as a burial vault of her son Mark. The tombs of Teofilia and Mark Sobieski made in the second half of the XVII century by the well-known sculptor Andreas Schlüter in the interior survived till now. Cells appeared in 1754—1792. In the same 1792 the temple acquired the modern appearance. The artist K. Politynskyi painted the interior of the temple in 1903—1927. However, the elements of the exterior decorations of the temple have not survived to this day.

The remains of the northeast wall are also located here. In front of the entrance Lvivska Brama was located near which there were three bells of this temple – Maria, Jacek, and Dominic. During the Rzecz Pospolita times, Austro-Hungary and the Second Rzecz Pospolita it was the functioning temple. During the Soviet epoch the barracks of several regiments, stables and warehouse were located here. Now the first floor belongs to Lviv archdiocese of Greek-Catholic Church, as well as the temple which now bears the name of the Saint Jehoshaphat, the Great Martyr.

Brazilians Church and the Nativity church (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church)

The church was built in 1612 in place of the wooden due to the privilege of Stanislav Zholkevsky.

In 1691 Yan III Sobieski brought the remains of Ivan Suchavsky from Moldavia. The same year the monks Brazilians came to Zhovkva, however, the information about their presence in the city already exists from 1682. The monastery was laid near the church, and the Romanian philosopher, metropolitan Dositheos who came to accompany the holy remains was appointed the abbot.

In 1697-99 Zhovkva artist Ivan Rutkovych made the iconostasis together with the carvers. In 30-s XVIII century the iconostasis was sold to New Skvariava. In the 30-s of ХХ century the metropolitan Andrei Sheptytskyi purchased the iconostasis for the collection of Lviv National museum. In XVIII century the tower was constructed. In 1895 the print shop of Fathers Brazilians was laid. The rest of the buildings were in the process of accomplishment till the beginning of XX century. Only the renaissance white-stone portal of the side entrance remained from the old times. The today’s paintings of the church from 1932 to 1934 were created by Julian Butsmaniuk. In 1990 the church was returned to the Brazilians order and now it belongs to the Lviv metropoly of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

St. Lazarus Church

The history of temple starts in 1624when the wooden church was built. In 1627 the municipal hospital for the poor was opened at the church. In 1735 for the funds of Jacob Sobieski the stone buildings of the church and hospital were constructed. In 1861 in the reconstructed ensemble buildings the monastery of Felicians was housed which operated till the Second World War.

Since 1994 in the building of the former church the church of Saint and Holy Lazarus which belongs to Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church functioned.

Holy Trinity Church

It was built on the former suburbs of Lviv in 1720 at the expense of the parish and the king’s son Kostiantyn on the place of the former church which was burned in 1717. The Church is a wooden tridential building with the brick annex — the vestry. There is five-level iconostasis in the church which encounters approximately 50 icons and was created by the craftsmen of Zhovkva Ivan Rutkovych’s school of Painting and Cutting at the beginning of the XVIII century. The icon-painting embodied the innovatory searching — the icons of the saints are endowed with the elements of Ukrainian type. The iconostasis was made of the lime, hits decoration has deep cuttings performed by Ignatius Stobienski. In 1978—79 the iconostasis was restored.

On 21 June 2013 at the 37 session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Cambodia the Church of Holy Trinity was listed as the world heritage among 16 wooden churches of the Carpathian Region of Poland and Ukraine.

Church of the Nativity of Mary

The church was built in 1705 in place of the old also wooden one. There is a unique Baroque iconostasis inside performed in 1708—10 by Zhovkva craftsman Kinush. The today’s icons were performed in 90-s of XVII century and the iconostasis was painted by the craftsmen of Zhovkva school, leader of those time in the spheres painting and cutting in 1710—27.

The activity of church was renewed in 1993, and the restoration of iconostasis was conducted in 1996 at the expense of the Fathers Brazilians who patronize the church.

Zhovkva on the Svynia River and a raion center in Lviv oblast. According to archeological evidence the site was inhabited as early as the 3rd or 2nd century BC. A settlement at the location is first mentioned in historical documents under the name Vynnyky in 1368. In 1597 a new town was established at this site and named Zhovkva in honor of its owner, the Polish field hetman Stanisław Żółkiewski. The town was granted the rights of Magdeburg law in 1603. A castle was built to protect the town from Tatar raids, and King Jan III Sobieski established a residence there. Zhovkva developed into a trade and manufacturing center. It was noted for its talented craftsmen and artists, who at the beginning of the 18th century formed the Zhovkva School of Artists. The town was also an important religious center, with many churches and monasteries. The Zhovkva Monastery of the Basilian monastic order, which was built in the 17th century, developed into an important publishing center at the end of the 19th century. Under Soviet rule Zhovkva was called Nesterov in 1951–1992 in honor of Russian pilot P. Nesterov. Zhovkva’s architectural monuments include the large, well-preserved castle, a church and monastery of the Dominican order from the 17th century, a synagogue, two wooden churches from the beginning of the 18th century, the Basilian church and monastery, which were restored in 1907, the remnants of the brick defensive walls and two city gates, and the old market square with some original buildings. The oldest and most important industry in Zhovkva is glass-making, but there are also a canning and a brick factory.