The Armenian Cathedral is a place that enchants travellers of all confessions. Relatively small in stature, it was modelled on the Cathedral at Ani, capital of the conquered Armenian lands. Armenians had settled in Lviv since the fourteenth century, and the cathedal was founded in 1363. Amongst the most extraordinary features are the cupola mosaics (1908) of Jozef Mehoffer, a Polish member of Austria's Secession fraternity. The influence of Klimt beams out here. Although the Armenians were largely assimilated into the Polish community, the Cathedral maintained its congregation until 1939. The building was blocked up by the Soviets, and only finally reopened in 1992 in tandem with the visit of Pope John Paul II. Now back in the hands of the Armenian Catholic Church, the Cathedral is a true treasure.
| |
