MINISTRY OF THE CULTURE AND TOURISM OF UKRAINE

LVIV MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF RELIGION

79008, Ukraine, Lviv, Musejna sq., 1
tel./fax. 272-91-00
E-mail: religio@ukrpost.ua

Lviv Museum of the History of Religion is located in the premises of the former Dominican monastery – a unique monument of architecture of the end of XIV – XVIII centuries. Historians and art critics name this building the exceptional pearl in East Europe. Presently the restoration and preservation of this building is the urgent problem.

Starting from the year 2005 the museum takes all the possibilities to involve both the state money and the investment money to save this building. During the years 2007-2008 the tremendous work was fulfilled: museum restoration workshops, former refectory were restored; painting in refectory was conserved; partially the first inner courtyard was arranged and some maintenance in the monastery basements was performed. During the restoration of the exhibition hall the sensational discovery of the monumental painting of XVIII century was made. The fragments of figures and drapes are found under several layers of white washing. This painting was severely hidden under the order of Kurapov, the first secretary of the district Party committee of Lenin district in Lviv. The painting needs to be restored as soon as possible otherwise it can be lost forever.

The polychrome painting with the images of the Dominican church of Galicia and Poland, which appears in six lunettes of the upper part of walls was opened in the current exhibition hall (Spring Business Forum is going to be held here) – the former refectory of the monastery complex. The painting is covered by many layers of different lacquers, drying oil and pitch smokescreen. The museum restorers have conserved this painting by their own expense. It requires the immediate restoration. The peculiar value of this hall is vault and cornice decorated with excellently performed molding with the Dominican attributes. It is the only sample of completely preserved molding of rococo style in Lviv, thus, it requires the immediate restoration.

In the process of the restoration works in the administrative courtyard the wooden water supply systems of the middle XVI century and the tunnel of XIII-XVI centuries were discovered. These findings require the serious studying and relevant money to strengthen and preserve them. The fundaments have been discovered to be on the ground and even in some places to hang. Moreover, the subsoil waters percolate through the fundaments provoke the full monument demolishing.

Lviv Museum of the History of Religion is willing to preserve only existing at the present moment monument that undoubtedly will enhance the Lviv architectural heritage and is the pride of the historic and architectural tradition of the city.

We ask you to join to the supporting, renewal and preservation of the Lviv cultural heritage. Charitable contributions can be transferred to the below-mentioned current account, or made as the charitable payment directly to the museum cash office during the forum.

Sincerely Yours,
Director of the Lviv Museum of the History of Religion     Zoryana Bilyk

Acc. 35429006002757
Bank code 825014
Company code 0221994
Head Administration of State Treasury
Recipient: Lviv Museum of the History of Religion

Purpose of payment: for the restoration of the monuments of the Dominican monastery