The main building of the Lemberg Polytechnic stands as a testament to the eclectic Neo-Renaissance style championed by Julian Zachariewicz. Born in 1837 in Lviv, he emerged as a versatile figure who balanced careers in science, politics, and architecture within the borders of the Austrian Empire before his death in 1898.
Early Career and Engineering
After graduating from the Vienna University of Technology in 1858, Zachariewicz spent over a decade working for the Austrian State Railways. His early professional life involved engineering roles across Vienna, Timisoara, and Lviv, alongside managing traffic in Chernivtsi. During this period, he utilized his technical expertise to design the railway station in Iasi, which was completed between 1869 and 1870.
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In 1871, he transitioned into academia, accepting a position as director of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Lviv Technical Academy. He eventually rose to serve as rector of the institution from 1881 to 1882. His influence on the academy extended to physical structure, as he designed both the primary polytechnic building and the separate Faculty of Chemistry facility after traveling throughout Germany and Austria to study modern construction innovations.
Architectural Portfolio and Public Service
Zachariewicz designed diverse structures including the Czernowitz Synagogue, the Galician Savings Bank in Lviv, and the Tyszkiewicz Villa in Vilnius. He also completed private residences, such as the villa for Jan Styka. In 1894, he provided architectural supervision for the General National Exhibition in Lviv, overseeing the construction of over 100 pavilions. Beyond his building projects, he served as a member of the Abgeordnetenhaus from 1883 to 1884 and authored the 1895 volume Zabytki sztuki w Polsce.
Professional Honors and Legacy
In 1877, he was elevated to the rank of Austrian nobility with the title Ritter von Lwigród and received the Order of the Iron Crown. Following his death in 1898, he was interred at Lychakiv Cemetery. His contributions were memorialized in 1910 through the installation of a bust by sculptor Juliusz Beltowski in the lobby of his signature polytechnic building, an event held during the Fifth Congress of Technicians.
Fast facts
- Born: 1837, Lviv
- Died: 1898, Lviv
- Citizenship: Austrian Empire, Austria–Hungary
- Primary Fields: Architecture, Science
- Academic Positions: Rector of Lviv Polytechnic
- Political Office: Member of Abgeordnetenhaus (1883-1884)
- Notable Award: Order of the Iron Crown
- Burial Site: Lychakiv Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What specific style did Zachariewicz employ for the Lviv Polytechnic?
He utilized the eclectic Neo-Renaissance style, which was highly fashionable at the time.
Did Zachariewicz work on any religious buildings?
Yes, he designed the Czernowitz Synagogue and the Church of Franciscan Sisters in Lviv, and performed renovations on the Church of the Holy Family in Tarnów, the Church of Our Lady of the Snow in Lviv, and the Church of John the Baptist in Lviv.
Achievements
- Trained at Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and Lviv Polytechnic
