A historical setting

In the market square of Lviv there is a very legendary house facade that every tourist guide mentions. The building is known as the black house. The building belongs to the most precious monuments of renaissance architecture in Eastern Europe. The colour of the facade changed over the years, it eldered. The sandstone of the facade was covered by a substance that in course of ages became black.

Apart of the fact that the house is a highlight for tourists on the market square of Lviv, it is apparently a perfect setting for historical movies. Just in the end of July 2012, I have witnessed a historical movie being shot right in front of the ancient house.

To become a natural setting for movie teams is a privilege of undiscovered cities. When you see these pictures, just remember that there has nothing been changed on the market quare by the movie crew.

This reminds me of Cracow in the nineties. Back then Mr. Spielberg just shot Schindler's List in Kazimierz, in the enamelware factory in Podgorze or at Dworzec Towarowy without having to change much in the landscape.

 Steffen Möller, a German who made an unprecedented career in Poland as author, actor and entertainer describes in his book "Viva Polonia" an adventure in Cracow he had in the early nineties. While he and one of his friends were walking around in the old city center they saw a sign on a facade of a house saying "Adolf-Hitler-Platz". They marveled at this sight of course. When they got around the corner and stopped in front of the St. Mary's they saw a Wehrmacht van. Only then they had realized that they are on a movie set. Steven Spielberg was making Schindler's List and the only thing he had to add to the scenery was the sign mentioned above. And the old lorry.

In fact, you can still discover the big letters "Rauchen verboten" on the red brick wall of Dworzec Towarowy ("Freight Railway Station" not in its proper usage as a station anymore but still known because of its function as a topografical description, for for example the tramway stop) in Cracow.

But no way, Spielberg could stage his masterpiece now so easily like he was able in 1993 in Cracow. Nowadays, twenty years later, Cracow is full of signs of modernity spread on the ancient house facades. And the most deceptive aspect for movies is the fresh paint of restauration.

A long story with a simple message: Go to Lviv to discover this beautiful city now, before it will be made! Lviv is perfect now and it smells like adventure!

And Lviv is just about to gain on speed in its development. You can sense it in the city. 

Cracow is as lovable as it was 20 years before to me but I wouldn't miss the experience of the stained, unperfect house walls.

This is one glimpse of Cracow, at the walking path of Steffen Möller, with a view towards St. Mary's. The picture was however taken now, in October 2012. There are too many signs and the walls are sparkling too much with freshness to make a movie maker's life easy. Thank God, there is still plenty of underground bars and dark cafes that can cause unexpected turns of life.