Lviv Monument of Adam Mickiewicz

In the center of Adam Mickiewicz Square, Adam Mickiewicz monument is situated. The monument is also known as the Adam Mickiewicz Column. It is a historic and cultural site the city Lviv; tourists from all over the world come here to see the beautiful architectural features of the monument. The monument was established on October 30th, 1904. It has great significance to the citizens of the city.

Adam Mickiewicz was a great Polish poet and patriot, well-known for his work all across the globe. In 1898, on the celebration of the 100th birth anniversary of the poet, the city authorities announced the winner of the competition for the best project of the Adam Mickiewicz Monument. The monument is beautiful and innovative in design and there is no doubt about it. There’s a column where the poet stands with his right hand holding out in the air, and an angel is shown coming down to him from heaven with lyre. The column is made of granite and is 21 meter high.

The Adam Mickiewicz monument was designed by the sculptor Anthony Sulima Popiel and was erected in 1904.The monument is featured with balustrade, flowerbeds and steps which were made roughly in the year 1907 and were designed by the architect Theodore Talowski. Behind the monument there are some buildings which have recently collapsed and replaced by the head office of Ukrsotsbank. The monument also houses a picture of Adam Mickiewicz monument cited with Mariyska Square (now Mickiewicz Square).

According to the original plan of building this Monument of Adam Mickiewicz in Lviv was to be established at the crossing of the Adam Mickiewicz Square as an insignia of the Prospect of Freedom. However, at the very beginning of the foundation of this column, the city river flooded the area. This made the authorities change their decision and they took the monument at the center of the Adam Mickiewicz Square, near the fountain. In order to protect the monument from the risk of flood, the city authority stocked the banks with sand on that part of the city to stop the river from overflowing and flooding the area where the monument stands. That is why this part of the city is often referred as the “Lviv’s Sahara” by the city residents and visitors.

Among the famous tourist spots of Lviv, monument of Adam Mickiewicz is one of them and there is no doubt about it. The Adam Mickiewicz column had a primary position in the Mariyska square and was considered as the organizing or unifying link for common people. Though nowadays there are several other high rises and lofty building at the surrounding areas of this monument, however, the monument of Adam Mickiewicz has its glory untouched and unbroken.