Representatives of the international organisation “Carpenters Without Borders”, who previously took part in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, have arrived in Lviv for the second time. They are preparing to restore the wooden roof of a heritage building at 3 Soborna Square, which was seriously damaged during a Russian strike in March.
During this visit, the specialists are agreeing organisational and technical details of the forthcoming works: choosing suitable timber, planning logistics, and discussing training programmes through which they intend to involve students from specialised educational institutions and veterans in the process. This was discussed at a meeting with First Deputy Mayor of Lviv Andriy Moskalenko and Head of the Halytskyi District Administration Halyna Hladiak.
“French carpenters from the organisation ‘Carpenters Without Borders’ are already preparing a plan for their work: they are selecting timber and agreeing training programmes. This cooperation goes far beyond simply restoring the roof of the building damaged by the Russian strike at 3 Soborna Square. It is also about involving students and veterans in the process, and sharing experience and knowledge. And the restoration of the wooden roof structures will be carried out by craftsmen who have experience working on Notre-Dame in Paris. So the very best global expertise will be brought to bear here,” said Andriy Moskalenko.
As part of this visit, the team also plans to visit a forestry enterprise to select timber for the future project directly on site. The next stage will be preparing the material and manufacturing the roof structure elements. This work is scheduled for April 2027.
Around 20 carpenters are expected to come to Lviv then, mainly from France but also from other European countries. They will work on the grounds of the Shevchenkivskyi Hai open-air museum, where there is enough space for timber processing and where visitors will be able to observe the process. There the craftsmen will prepare the timber, make the beams and mark all the elements so that they can later be assembled into a single roof structure.
The next phase of work is planned for the summer: at that point the carpenters will join the prepared wooden elements together and erect the roof frame. Project participants compare this stage to assembling a large construction set, where each numbered part has its own place within the overall system.
The organisation “Carpenters Without Borders” focuses not only on the physical restoration of the building, but also on the educational component. They plan to involve students and veterans in the works, giving them the opportunity to acquire new skills and hands-on experience in traditional crafts.
Representatives of “Carpenters Without Borders” first visited Lviv in June this year. At that time they inspected the damaged building at 3 Soborna Square and assessed the scope of the necessary works. According to the Head of the Halytskyi District Administration, Halyna Hladiak, the building is to be restored comprehensively, and documentation is currently being prepared for tender procedures.
The building at 3 Soborna Square is part of the architectural ensemble of the Bernardine Monastery, a monument of architecture of national significance and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The complex was built in the early 17th century, while the residential building damaged in the strike appeared later, in the 18th–19th centuries.
During the enemy attack in March, this building suffered the most extensive destruction: as a result of a direct drone hit, the roof was destroyed and the floor structures, stairwells, 16 flats and 4 non-residential premises in two stairwells were damaged. Some residents had to be relocated. The forthcoming project involving international specialists aims to restore the building’s historic appearance and ensure its safe use.