At the beginning of the 17th century, the conventual Franciscan congregation applied for the possibility of establishing a monastery in Sucha Wola, near Lviv. In 1617, the city authorities gave their consent, which was soon afterwards approved by King Sigismund III Vasa. The only stipulation on the part of the magistrate was that the buildings be constructed of wood for the sake of the castle's safety. At the time, possible Tartar invasions were a threat that was considered first and foremost in the development strategy. The timber complex was therefore built in 1630 and was actually destroyed eighteen years later. In 1669 it was decided to rebuild the church and monastery, but the shape we can admire today is the result of a foundation that did not take place until 1718. The new church was built in the style of the mature Baroque, and the whole was completed in 1739.

As a result of the first partition of Poland in 1772, Lviv was occupied by the Austrians and the monastery was closed down. In 1786 the parish of St Anthony was moved to the empty complex. Its former seat (Peter and Paul Church) was handed over to the Greek Catholics.

The end of the Second World War did not involve the closure of the church. Although the Franciscans who resided there had to leave the building under pressure from the communists, the parish itself remained (besides the Lviv Cathedral) the only Roman Catholic church functioning in the city without any interruptions from 1945 until today.

Architecture

The complex of buildings is currently located in the Lychakiv district on a rising ground. In terms of its location, it fits into the urban fabric. It is accompanied by a symmetrical street layout. It is surrounded by a rather high wall. St Anthony's Church represents the style of the mature Baroque. It is built on three naves, in a layout characteristic of a basilica. Inside are altar sculptures by Thomas Huetter and Sebastian Fesinger, paintings by W. Luczycki and late Gothic paintings. The most valuable of these is the "Mother of God with Christ and St. Anne" (1520) also entitled "St. Anne Alone". The bulk of the paintings, however, are 18th century works, framed in Rococo. The overall interior design is Rococo mixed with Baroque. On either side of the building are chapels decorated in the Baroque style.

The most important elements related to the decoration and furnishing of the church include:

- The stained glass window depicting the "Laying in the tomb in the chapel of Jesus Crucified",

- Stained glass window in the chapel of St Barbara and St Joseph,

- The altarpiece of St. Therese there together with the painting,

- Portrait of Konstantin Christopher Duke of Wisniowiecki,

- Portrait of Anna, Duke of Wisniowiecki, née Khodorovska,

- Numerous hagiographic paintings and sculptures, including feretrons with images of St Anthony of Padua and Sts Peter and Paul.

Important information:

- One of Poland's greatest poets, Zbigniew Herbert, was baptised on 26 December 1924 precisely in the parish church of St Anthony in Lviv.

- Not all Franciscans decided to move from Lviv in 1945. Fr Rafal Kiernicki remained in the city, and in 1989 he influenced the return of the friars to the city, and in 1991 he was elevated to the rank of bishop by Pope John Paul II.

- The Franciscans present in Lviv look after as many as four communities: Polish, Russian, Ukrainian and Lithuanian. They exercise their priestly ministry in all these languages.