DOI: 10.20535/2307-5244.50.2020.210117
The article
describes the events that accompanied the process of the appearance, production, and decline of artillery production in
Lviv in the XIV–XVIII centuries.
The factors that have become prerequisites for setting up the production of
guns in Lviv are analyzed. An important factor influencing the development of
metalworking and weapons production in Lviv was
the rich deposits of marsh ore from the Dniester along the Zubra River valley
to Lviv. Long before the casting of artillery in the city was already pouring
bells.
Due to its favorable geographical location, Lviv was an important center of
trade and crafts, which in turn contributed to the rapid emergence of new
weapons in the city. The initial period of development of artillery production
is characterized, the preserved Lviv bell tower of the XІV century is described
from the holdings of the Museum of the Polish Army, it was concluded that its
design corresponds to the requirements of the time.
The key moments of the development of artillery production in Lviv in the XVI–XVII centuries are considered with an emphasis on the ethnic origin of foundries operating in the city. The influence of European production technologies is monitored through foreign craftsmen who worked as a sworn city foundries. The high authority of Lviv foundries is evidenced by the right to supervise masters of their profession throughout the territory of the Rzeczpospolita on a par with Krakow’s colleagues. We do not find any documentary references to the involvement of Ukrainians in working with city guns. Obviously, this is due to the general confrontation between the communities in the city at the time.
Military-political and economic reasons for the actual cessation of production of artillery after the invasion of Charles XII’s troops are examined. An attempt to resume casting in Lviv at the beginning of the XVIII century is described. On the basis of the analysis of some documents of the Epiphany fraternity and a comparative analysis of the image of the figures of saints on guns, it is established that I. Polyansky — the author of the last known series of guns poured in Lviv, was of Greek Catholic faith, that is — Ukrainian in origin.
Keywords: artillery XIV–XVIII centuries, Lviv, production of guns, Ukrainian craftsmen, ornament.
