Lviv is full of mysteries and mystical stories, ancient temples and legends ...
Today I start the column "Masterpieces of ancient Lviv". And the first place I invite you to is the majestic luxurious Church of St. Andrew in the city center on Soborna Square. I like to be here and gain peace and spiritual strength. I come and stop near the church, but at first I like to go to the courtyard on the right, where there is an ancient rotunda, at a magical time in the evening.
Earlier there was a convent of the Bernardine Order near the church. This is a favorite place of tourists, where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the colorful stained glass windows of the church and ancient architecture. Back in the 17th century, a well was dug in the monastery yard, and later a rotunda was built over it. Above is a wooden statue of the saint, which is good lighting and gives the rotunda a special mystery.
Before showing you the magnificent temple inside, I read about it:
Bernardines appeared in Lviv in the 15th century. They chose a place for their cult building not by chance, but at the crossroads, which were near the Galician gate. The author of the Bernardine Church project was the monk Bernard Avelides. Paul the Roman was engaged in construction. it is made in the classical renaissance style with all the traditional elements.
Unfortunately, Paul the Roman died before he could complete his Lviv creation. His work was continued by Ambrose Prikhilny, a Swiss (or Italian) by birth. He completed the construction of the church in the style of German-Dutch Mannerism. A significant part of the architectural elements of the current Church of St. Andrew was added by another author - Wroclaw sculptor and architect Andreas Bemer. He, a prominent representative of the Baroque era, completed the construction and decoration of the temple in 1630.
We go in and immerse ourselves in the golden luxury. On the ceiling and walls there is an infinite number of paintings depicting saints and angels.
Especially attractive are round windows with exquisite stucco.
It was Christmas time and the majestic singing rises under the dome and sounds in my soul a song of wishes "Many years of life" for believers ...
There is a giant organ installed here, which does not sound now, but is also a decoration of the temple.
Golden Themis - the statue of justice is here, making everyone think about the law of cause and effect...
I was especially attracted by the three golden statues of the eastern kings, who came to the newborn Christ and brought gifts: incense, gold and myrrh...
Next you can see a luxurious throne and crystal chandeliers that are almost to the floor.
Everything around me fills me with a sense of ritual of purification and holiness: a vase for washing hands, a confessor that is closed behind velvet curtains ...
Does the spirit of the newborn Christ live here in the midst of all this luxury, I don't know... I thanked God for my health!
But I am so fascinated by the work of human hands that were inspired in the name of Jesus...
Did you feel the breathtaking spirit of ancient luxury while staying with me in the Bernardine Church?
Thank you for your visit. See you in the next mysterious place in Lviv.