The Emperor Is Coming!
Franz Joseph's Visit to Lviv in 1851
After the suppression of the Spring of Nations and the return to neo-absolutism, the goal of the inspection tour of 1851 was to present the new emperor to his subjects. Hence the peculiarities of the visit — troops on the cities' streets, visits to fortresses, and numerous triumphal arches.
What Was Expected from the Visit
The monarchy presented a young triumphant emperor, the head of victorious military leaders and effective bureaucrats. A stern but fair and merciful judge who pays attention to everyone.
Franz Joseph I, 1851
The trip to Galicia in 1851 was to demonstrate the strength of the state. It was represented by 140 courtiers, 23 retinues, the army, and the general splendor of all ceremonies. Former revolutionaries and unreliable elements were not involved in the festivities; only loyal subjects were invited. The residences where Franz Joseph stayed could not be located in the estates of aristocrats, only in the administrative imperial buildings. There were also specific requirements to these buildings. They had to have large windows and balconies and be located in front of open squares, from which the young emperor could appear before the people.
At the time of the visit, 8,000 soldiers arrived in Lviv in order to provide a corridor for travel and guarantee security. The emperor himself was dressed in a military uniform.
The peasants waited with the greatest enthusiasm for the arrival of Franz Joseph; now, after the events of 1848-1849, they could personally show their devotion to the monarch. Ukrainian politicians, in turn, sought to secure the status of the "Tyroleans of the East" and get out of the care of the local Polish elite. The Jews had also a good reason to consider the Habsburgs their philanthropists. The inspection tour being the only chance for "personal communication," was an opportunity to express their gratitude.
The press covered the inspection tour with the following accents: the emperor travels in difficult conditions to see the needs of the region up close and everyone from the province goes to the cities to personally greet the emperor, pay tribute to him and express their gratitude.
Organization and Preparation
Franz Joseph's visit in Lviv was announced in June, but it got postponed first due to Archduke Karl Ludwig's illness, and later because of the visits of Lombardy and Venice. And so Galicia spent the whole summer waiting.
The Governor Agenor Gołuchowski went to meet the emperor on the border with Silesia. In fact, his part was nothing more than to carry out the program written in Vienna as the local initiatives were minimized. Therefore mayors, magistrates, elders, gminas, and the Galician Estates focused on purely practical matters.
For example, when the emperor crossed the border of Galicia on October 11, it was decided to install an imperial standard on the Castle Hill and to announce the beginning of the visit to the region with a 21-gun salute. The flag was to remain raised until November 2 when the emperor was to cross the border into Bukovina.
Among the current issues addressed by the city authorities were the preparation of the park on Castle Hill, the decoration and illumination of buildings (for which, by the way, there was a shortage of goods in Lviv shops), the formation of a line of residents from the Gródecka toll house up to the Ferdinand Barracks.
Anticipating the influx of visitors to Lviv from the province, the magistrate issued a special order forbidding price raises during the imperial visit. It was not possible to sell goods and food at a higher price than the lowest fixed price in October 1851. Violating these rules could lead to the store being closed or products being confiscated. Portions in restaurants could not be smaller. The government newspaper published reasonable prices in advance so that people "would not be afraid to go to Lviv to greet their favorite monarch."
Local firefighters were also preparing: a new reinforced ladder and a newly invented Philips flame extinguisher were to be unveiled in the square near the small barracks in the Żółkiewska district (probably in one of the former monastery buildings at 9 Zamarstynivska Street).
The Course of Events
Mandatory elements of the emperor's inspection visits included the firing of gun salutes (in Lviv they were fired from the Castle Hill), ringing of bells in all churches, festive illumination of the city, balls and theatrical performances. Franz Joseph was notable for receiving requests and petitions from the locals as he boarded or disembarked from his carriage. Some of these requests were complied with by local officials after the visit.
The press described emperor's every step. The exaltation of the locals, especially the peasants, was also noted, put in stark contrast to the calm reaction of the Italians in Venice and Lombardy.
On October 16, 1851, at 1:45 p.m., the imperial carriage, accompanied by a whole convoy, arrived in Lviv. Residents were informed of the event by the firing of a 101-gun salute from the Castle Hill.
The emperor was met by officers even before the Gródecka toll house; by the toll house at the beginning of modern Kulparkivska and Lyubinska Streets, he was met by the city military commandant; and under the triumphal arch on the Gródecka road, by the vice-mayor of Lviv and members of the city board. Representatives of city guilds and societies, parishes and schools of the Gródeckie suburb, as well as gminas belonging to Lviv gathered here. All these people formed a line from the arch up to the Ferdinand Barracks.
Near the barracks the emperor was ritually greeted by Governor Agenor Gołuchowski and Commandant Edmund Schwarzenberg. From here to the Governor's House, a line was formed by the army, occupying the entire left side of the road while leaving the right side for the public. The route lied along Gródecka road (now Horodotska street), St. Świętojurska Street (Lystopadovoho Chynu), Exjesuitska Street (Akademika Hnatiuka), Ferdynanda Square (Mitskevycha), Bernardyńska Square (Soborna).
From the barracks to the Governor's House, the emperor rode on horseback; citizens threw flowers and wreaths in front of him, and the military saluted. The houses along the route were decorated with flowers and greenery. As the shops and workshops were closed from the morning, nothing prevented the residents from meeting their favorite monarch. People greeted the emperor not only along his path, but also on the slopes of the Governor's Ramparts and on Carmelite Hill.
On Ferdynanda Square (modern-day Mitskevycha Square), Franz Joseph was greeted by a second triumphal arch. In the presence of the gmina council, magistrate, and the public, the appointed Mayor Karl Höpflingen greeted the Emperor in German, and the oldest member of the City Council Adam Sidorowicz, who spoke in Polish, handed over the keys to the city.
At 2:30 p.m., the emperor arrived at the Governor's House, where an honorary guard of grenadiers stood. In front of the military, representatives of the university, schools, monasteries, and theological seminaries gathered in a semicircle. At the entrance to the building, the honored guest was greeted by the clergy and secular authorities, officers and members of the Galician Estates.
After greetings from the dignitaries, the emperor ordered the troops to march in the square, and then went to his apartment. Here he received visitors, periodically going out on the balcony to greet the crowd.
At 5 p.m. a lunch for 55 people began, the festive illumination of the city with colored lanterns lasted from 6 p.m. until midnight, and at 9 p.m. cantatas from the music society, music from military bands, and the anthem were played under the windows. The emperor watched the musical program from a balcony of the Governor's House, waving his hand amiably to his subjects.
In the morning of October 17, Franz Joseph attended a service at the Latin Cathedral, where he was met by city officials and senior clergy. A detachment of grenadiers lined up in front of the entrance to the cathedral, and a military band performed the anthem. The emperor, as usual, entered the church under a canopy and went to the throne, located near the altar.
After the prayer, the emperor walked to Ferdynanda Square, where he boarded a carriage, and returned to the Governor's House. Here the governor introduced him to the local clergy and laity, members of the Estates, many of whom returned from abroad specifically to meet with Franz Joseph, as well as judges, officials, university, and gymnasium professors.
At 11 a.m. the emperor visited the residence of the governor and his wife, after which the inspection of military facilities began. By 4 p.m. Franz Joseph accompanied by the commandant managed to visit the military hospital, the citadel, the Jabłonowski gardens barracks, and the so-called Red Monastery barracks.
At 4 p.m. in the Governor's house a dinner party began for 94 people. 18 of the guests were members of the Galician Estates, which in 1851 was presented as a great commitment of the monarch.
The main visit of the day was planned to the Strzelnica (Shooting Range, the so-called Riflemen Society), "the ancient institution of our capital, which has been visited by Franz I and Archduke Franz Karl."
Emperor arrived here in company of the governor at 6:30 p.m., at dusk, as the city lights were complemented by sparklers and the triumphal arch at the Strzelnica got illuminated. Members of the Riflemen's Society wearing black hats with colored cockades showed Franz Joseph the targets shot by Emperor Franz I and Franz Joseph's father Franz Karl, as well as the banner donated by Emperor Maria Anna in 1844, and other relics. Among them was a golden figure of a rooster (the society's symbol), a gift from King Sigismund Augustus from 1495.
This time the shooting entertainment was aimed at raising funds for the society of the disabled. The emperor proved to be the best marksman, hitting the target during his first attempt (which the city was immediately notified about by with a gun salute). Adding his own money to the prize for the society, the emperor signed the commemorative book and at about 7:30 p.m. left for the theater.
At 7 a.m. on October 18, troops were inspected at the Janowski field (training ground), located beyond the Janowska toll house. Local garrison was gathered here, as well as several battalions from the surrounding areas were added. Franz Joseph arrived here with his whole retinue, additionally there were thousands of spectators who had the opportunity to watch the maneuvers and the parade.
Then the emperor rode on horseback to the city to lay the cornerstone of the Ukrainian People's House on the ruins of the university. The area of the ceremony was surrounded by grenadiers, lined up in a square. An altar was erected on the main wall of the ruins, near which the governor, the Greek Catholic clergy, leading figures of the Ukrainian movement, officials, officers, and ordinary spectators were waiting.
The state of the University buildings (former Trinitarian complex) after the bombing of Lviv in November 1848 Left: View from Krakivska Street. Right: View from the modern Lesi Ukrayinky Street (Source: Franciszek Jaworski, "Uniwersytet Lwowski", Biblioteka Lwowska, vol. XVIII (Lwów, 1912), pp. 75, 77)
After the singing of the anthem and the speech of Canon Mykhailo Kuzemskyi, the document about the donation of the building was solemnly read, and the emperor signed it immediately. Bishop Hryhoriy Yakhymovych of Przemyśl conducted a short service, as the Metropolitan Mykhailo Levytskyi could not attend due to health problems. Franz Joseph "fortified the stone with the tools given to him," inspected the plans of the building, then the anthem sounded again, after which the architect laid the stone. It all ended with the singing of "Mnohaya Lita."
After the Sisters of Mercy Monastery, the emperor visited the Main Hospital in Łyczaków, where he talked to doctors, administration, patients, accepted requests, "comforted the sick," inspected the wards, and even tried the food in its cafeteria.
At 11:30 a.m. there was a visit to an institution for the blind, where the emperor talked to the pupils and left a donation. At 11:45 a.m. he visited a nearby institution for the deaf and dumb. Here the emperor reviewed the students' works, inspected the premises, and even attended a physical education class in the courtyard.
The next stop was the City Hall, which was attended by the gmina council and magistrate, the city department, representatives of guilds, chambers of commerce, and property owners (it is striking how different this representation is from the representation of later times). The emperor visited the office of the Regional Savings Bank, which was located in the City Hall as well.
Later that day, Franz Joseph visited the university, located in a former Jesuit boarding school building by the St. Nicholas Church. It was a typical school visit: the honored guest was greeted by the rector, the senate, teachers, and students. An obligatory attribute was an entry in the commemorative book and a visit to the museum and the garden.
Then the emperor visited the educational institution of the Ladies (Sacre-Coeur Society), and at 1:00 p.m. visited St. George's Cathedral. The square in front of the church was filled with people, while parishioners, seminarians, and clergy lined up in the courtyard. Bishop Hryhoriy Yakhymovych and Auxiliary Bishop Ivan Bokhenskyi met the emperor on the stairs. "Mnohaya Lita" was sung again, after which Franz Joseph inspected the church and the metropolitan's palace.
The last stops in the program before lunch were St. Lazarus Institution for the Poor and the prison (provincial penal house). Here, too, the emperor "was interested in the smallest details," showing his concern, visiting the tailor's and shoemaker's prison workshops, hospital, and nursery.
The inspection ended at about 2 p.m.
Traditionally, at 5:00 p.m. there was a dinner party in the Governor's House, an orchestra played in front of the balcony, crowds gathered to see the emperor.
At 8:00 p.m., Franz Josef went to a ball organized by the Galician Estates, seeing the evening street illumination on his way.
The city was lit with colored lamps on poles, even whole pyramids were made of lamps, and buildings were decorated with banners. The City Hall, St. George's Cathedral, Ferdinand Barracks, and Alfred Potocki's Palace were brightly illuminated. Banners were placed on the cathedral, the synagogue, and even on the foundation of the People's House.
"Vivat Franz Joseph" was written on a banner on the south side of the City Hall. There were several banners on the west side. On one was written "December 2, 1848" — the date of the beginning of the reign of Franz Joseph, another depicted the figure of the emperor on horseback against the walls of Vienna, and on another a view of Lviv from Szeroka Street (present-day Kopernika) and the figure of a crowned Austria, which rests on the coat of arms of Galicia. On the windows of the former archbishop's palace (building at 9 Rynok Square) was the inscription "God save the Emperor Franz Joseph, and grant his peoples peace and harmony" in different languages: Polish, German, Ukrainian, Armenian, Yiddish, and Latin. Barrels of tar were burning on the citadel, and a huge double-headed eagle was laid out with lamps.
The building of the Ossoliński Institute, where the ball took place, was decorated with the coats of arms of all the lands of the monarchy and a double-headed eagle. Among other things, which was symbolic, the Vistula with the ship "Kraków" was depicted along with the inscription "Greetings, King, on the land of our fathers." The building also featured a banner dedicated to King Casimir's entry into Gniezno, and a line from the old song "Witaj nam, witaj, miły gospodynie," figures symbolizing strength and peace, and farming scenes.
Deputies of the Galician Estates were engaged in decorating the building and preparing the ball. The emperor was present at the ball from 8:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m., which pleased the local aristocrats greatly.
On October 19, the day began with an open-air field mass on Janowski Field at 8 o'clock in the morning. And already at 9:00 the emperor held an audience in the Governor's House.
In the afternoon, at 2:00, the emperor went to the Castle (Piaskowa) Hill, whose preparation for his visit lasted whole summer.
A fair was organized to entertain the people, the main event of which was to rename Piskova Hill into Franz Joseph Hill.
Castle Hill in the 1860s and 70s
On the south-eastern side of the promenade, near the second gunpowder warehouse, a triumphal arch in the Gothic style was built. It was decorated with the colors of all the provinces of the empire. The ruins of the castle were also decorated with flags of the monarchy, provinces, and the city of Lviv. The emperor was met by members of the gmina council and the magistrate, the city police corps sang the anthem, and the guns fired 21 salutes. From here, Franz Joseph took a walk, accompanied by the Latin Archbishop Łukasz Baraniecki and the Mayor of Lviv Karl Höpflingen, followed by a retinue.
From the side of the Żółkiewska toll house, on a specially prepared terrace, a peasant Ruthenian wedding took place (for this purpose, residents of the urban villages of Hołosko, Brzuchowice, and Sychów were engaged). Neаr the Kiesielka water treatment facility a Polish peasant wedding took place (peasants from the suburban village of Zubrza were already "working" here), also presenting folk customs and dances.
A hall near the house "in the Gothic-Swiss style" was prepared for the emperor's visit. Here the governor and many spectators were already waiting for Franz Joseph, and girls in white (who symbolized the gminas of the city) threw flowers and wreaths at his feet.
This intense program lasted less than 20 minutes, and already near the building, noticing that the emperor is in a good mood, the mayor asked permission to name the mountain after Franz Joseph. The emperor agreed, and a 21-gun salute informed the happy Lviv residents. In honor of the renaming of the hill, a sign was immediately installed.
Then Franz Joseph walked through the park, and orchestras located in different places welcomed him with music.
According to the press, the emperor was generally satisfied with his visit to Lviv, and was especially moved when a peasant dared to thank him for abolishing serfdom.
At the departure of the emperor, a 21-gun salute was fired again, and the orchestra performed the anthem once more.
At 5:00 p.m. a dinner took place, at 6:00 p.m. the city illumination began, and at 7:30 p.m. Franz Joseph went to a performance of a Polish theater. Unlike October 17, this time it was not excerpts from popular European dramas. First, the mazur was presented to the emperor "as the most Polish melody," then an excerpt from a drama, then the kolomyika sounded as a "folk song of the south-eastern lands of the region," and then again the drama. The play, which lasted until 9:15 p.m., ended with a polonaise.
On October 20, at 7 o'clock in the morning, the emperor and his retinue left the city through the Łyczakówska toll house.
Panorama of Lviv from Łyczakówska toll house, 1840s
Here, near the next triumphal arch, gathered the mayor, members of the gmina council and the magistrate, members of the city guilds and representatives of various institutions. Franz Joseph delivered a speech to the mayor, standing in an open carriage. After that, the column moved, and the mayor and members of the council accompanied the distinguished guest to the nearest post office. The spectators present in the square rushed to the triumphal arch, from which everyone tried to tear off a souvenir.
Places Emperor Visited
Places from the visit of the emperor in 1851 (click to see the name of the place)
Consequences of the Visit
The emperor's trip to Lviv in 1851 was bureaucratic and military. Many influential Polish aristocrats were not included in the travel program, their requests were rejected, and hopes for the "restoration of Poland" were dashed. Nevertheless, the emperor attended an estates ball at the Ossolineum (an event organized by the aristocrats, an institution founded and supported by them as well) and attended a performance of the Polish Theater.
On the other hand, the peasants welcomed the monarch as a liberator. It was a very important visit for Ukrainians in general, and not only because of the establishment of the People's House. In Lviv, Franz Joseph uttered his semi-legendary phrase: "Here I am among my Ruthenians." Ukrainians saw this as a sign of gratitude for their commitment and for the position they took during the 1848-1849 revolution. And Ukrainian politicians interpreted these words as a signal to continue a pro-Austrian policy.
In addition to renaming the hill, one of the consequences of this visit was the establishment of a loan fund for artisans (named after Franz Joseph, naturally). The emperor generously donated to the needs of the institutions he visited, as well as in response to the petitions he received during his visits. After the visit, some prisoners were amnestied, some had their sentences reduced, and police reported that no thefts or fights had taken place during the emperor's stay in Lviv.
Personalities
- Karl Höpflingen von Bergendorf — appointed burgomaster (prowizoryczny burmistrz) of Lviv in 1848-1859
Łukasz Baraniecki — the Latin Archbishop of Lviv
Mykhailo Kuzemskyi — bishop of the Greek Catholic Church and politician
Edmund Schwarzenberg — Austrian military leader, participant in the Austro-Italian War, suppression of the Hungarian uprising, Field Marshal
Agenor Romuald Onufry hrabia Gołuchowski — governor (three times) of Galicia, count, influential conservative politician
Hryhoriy Yakhymovych — bishop of the Greek Catholic Church, from 1860 Metropolitan, Baron
Sources and Literature
- Unowsky Daniel L. The Pomp and Politics of Patriotism: Imperial Celebrations in Habsburg Austria, 1848-1916, (West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University Press, 2005), 270;
- Осередчук М., "Львів — Відень у кінці ХІХ – початку ХХ століття: візити представників Габсбурзької династії до Львова та їх відображення у пресі", Архіви України, 2013, Випуск 4 (286), c. 93-110 https://old.archives.gov.ua/Publicat/AU/AU_4_2013/06.pdf
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