LVIV

The construction of Rynok Square, started by order of Kazimierz III in 1349, was commissioned from German craftsmen, who followed the plan of a traditional German town: a central square followed by living quarters, surrounded in turn by defences. The name of the Square came from the word "ring": a circle or an enclosed space, which was later transformed into "rynok". Throughout the centuries Rynok Square was the political, cultural i trade centre of the city. Rynok Square witnessed celebrations and processions, uprisings, riots and executions. In 1944 it was a battlefield of World War II.

The streets surrounding Rynok Square were mainly populated by craftsmen and small traders. Houses, densely populated, more resembled fortresses. Few of them preserved their original appearance. Mostly, 16th-17th century houses either underwent significant alteration or were dismantled.

Like most medieval towns Lviv was heavily fortified. The internal wall with four corner towers was followed by an outer wall which had seventeen towers and was surrounded by a moat filled with water. Then came the ramparts and bastions along Valova Street, Square of Danylo Galytsky. The town had two Gateways – the Galych and Cracow Gates, and two gates – the Jesuit (near the church of the Jesuits) and Bosiatska (from the Russian “bosoi” meaning barefooted), at the end of Ruska Street which were used for communication with the Monastery of the Barefooted Carmelites.

Lviv, like other towns of Old Rus, grew on the ring-radial pattern, with roads radiating from the city centre. The space between roads was gradually filled with housing and these districts eventually joined with the central section of Lviv. Eight such roads have been preserved until the present day.