St. George's Cathedral, Lviv

St. George’s Cathedral in Lviv is a major Ukrainian Baroque cathedral and the historic seat of the Greek Catholic metropolitan in western Ukraine. The present building dates to the mid-18th century and is a noted example of regional Baroque architecture.

The cathedral is noted for its richly decorated Baroque exterior and interior, ornate iconography and sculptural work. Its elevated site gives it a prominent silhouette in Lviv’s historic centre and it remains a focal point for religious ceremonies and public events.

The current cathedral was constructed from 1744 to 1760 under architect Bernard Meretyn with sculptural contributions commonly attributed to Johann Georg Pinsel. The cathedral was the metropolitan seat of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, was suppressed during the Soviet period after 1946 and returned to Greek Catholic use following Ukrainian independence.

The cathedral sits on a hill in Lviv’s historic centre in Lviv Oblast, overlooking parts of the old city and within walking distance of other major civic and historic sites.

• Construction and style: Built between 1744 and 1760 by architect Bernard Meretyn with sculptural work attributed to Johann Georg Pinsel, representing a high point of Ukrainian Baroque architecture.
• Religious significance and 20th-century history: Served as the seat of the Greek Catholic Metropolitan; it was suppressed under Soviet rule after 1946 and returned to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church after 1991.