Publications
Destruction of Nature through Warfare in (Austrian) Galicia during the First World War
The First World War caused significant environmental destruction in Austrian Galicia, affecting its soil, orchards, forests, beekeeping, wildlife, and aquatic ecosystems. The study synthesizes the impact of warfare on the natural landscape between 1914 and 1918 using state records and landed estate materials, revealing widespread devastation due to military operations, occupation, and neglect. The research highlights lesser-explored aspects of environmental history in Galicia, complementing existing studies on military, political, and social consequences of the war.
The rule of fragment in redefinition of historical settlement: The case of Lviv
Gentrification of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Lviv's Old Town, often leads to the commodification of historical narratives and the neglect of surrounding areas. This study highlights how the selective preservation of fragments in Lviv—particularly within the Jewish community's former settlements—creates a discontinuous urban narrative that undermines the resilience of the city's layout. By analyzing two contrasting urban fragments (one preserved, one neglected), the research proposes reconnecting historical traces to restore urban cohesion and resilience without relying solely on formal architectural production. The methodology critiques gentrification policies, offering a framework for urban regeneration that prioritizes dynamic, interrelated systems over static preservation.
Perchment Diploma Created by the Chancellery of Bernardines Galician Province
A previously unpublished parchment diploma from the chancellery of the Galician Province of the Franciscan-Observant (Bernardines) offers new insights into the writing culture of Catholic monks on Ukrainian lands during the 19th century. The document, housed in Lviv’s Vasyl Stefanyk National Scientific Library, reveals traditional practices such as settling monastic estates under lay care—a necessity due to the mendicant order's prohibition on property ownership. Analyzed using archeography and sigillography, the diploma provides a snapshot of administrative and economic adaptations by Bernardine monasteries under Austrian rule following the 1772 partition of Poland-Lithuania. Comparative studies with additional surviving diplomas could further illuminate shifts in monastic writing culture during this period.
Revitalization as a Modern Brand Strategy in Tourism Lviv
Lviv's historic center faces growing tourism pressures, with over 2.5 million visitors annually since 2010, threatening its architectural integrity and residential comfort. This study highlights revitalization as a strategic approach to balance cultural tourism growth with urban preservation, drawing parallels from American and European experiences dating back to the 1950s. The research analyzes successful revitalization projects in Lviv, such as !FESTrepublic (a former glass factory turned festival hub), the jam factory repurposed into an art center, and ReZavod (an old industrial zone transformed into a creative space). These initiatives demonstrate how adaptive reuse can mitigate mass tourism's negative impacts while enhancing Lviv's cultural brand. The study underscores the need for sustainable urban planning to protect heritage sites amid rising tourist demand.
Vytauto Didžiojo 1388 m. privilegija Brastos žydams. Nauji atsakymai į atsakytus klausimus
A new interpretation of Vytautas the Great's 1388 privilege to the Jews of Brest challenges established historiography by proposing that it was adapted from a privilege granted to Lviv Jews by his cousin, Jogaila (Władysław Jagiełło), in 1387. This adaptation, rather than being based on earlier privileges like those of Bolesław the Pious or Kazimierz the Great, suggests a localized legal pattern where Vytautas extended similar rights to Brest as had been done for Lviv. The study also reveals that the 'double reward as for a nobleman'—a hallmark of Jewish legal status in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL)—was likely introduced later, around 1507, during Žygimantas the Old's reign, rather than being part of Vytautas' original privilege. This finding reshapes our understanding of the privilege's evolution and its role in the GDL's legal system.
Localness, Identity, and the Historic City. New Elites in the Autonomous Galician Lviv
Research on Lviv's urban elites during Habsburg rule reveals that local identity was as significant as imperial and national identities, challenging traditional historical narratives. The study examines the role of grassroots associations like the Society of the Friends of Old Lviv and the Society for the Embellishment of the City in preserving secular monuments, particularly in the Old Town. By analyzing these institutions' efforts to maintain the city's physical space, the research demonstrates that localness is a critical category for understanding elite identity. The findings highlight how urban preservation efforts were deeply tied to a sense of place and community pride, offering new insights into the complexities of cultural identity in historic cities.
Spatial change of Lviv in the post-Soviet period and their assessment by the residents
Lviv's post-Soviet spatial transformations are critically perceived by its residents, marked by increased disorder, intensified urban life, and a shift toward the city's historic core for services. The study reveals that while symbols of Lviv remain unchanged, the city has lost its cultural aura and architectural identity, with commerce disrupting historical spaces. Post-industrial areas are seen as indicators of urban crisis, and polarization deepens, contrasting expensive commercial housing with neglected public spaces. Residents highlight a lack of unified development vision, leading to chaotic changes that threaten Lviv's spatial structure. The research combines official statistics, town-planning projects, and resident surveys (200 participants) to assess these shifts, emphasizing the need for systematic urban management to preserve Lviv's multifaceted heritage.
The city as a national work of art: modernity and nation building in fin-de-siècle Lviv
In fin-de-siècle Lviv, historic monuments played a pivotal role in modern nation-building, particularly in ethnically diverse regions of central and eastern Europe. The study reveals that the Old Town of Lviv, with its multi-ethnic heritage, was deliberately reinvented to strengthen Polish national identity. This transformation involved securing the 'Polish character' of the area through architectural preservation and urban planning efforts led by local authorities and institutions. The research highlights how secular historic architecture served as a tool for nation-building, emphasizing its significance in shaping collective identity during this period.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > L'viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre