The present plan is part of a larger map of the territory of the Austrian province of Galicia, the "General Post and Road Map of the Kingdom of Galicia and the Cracow Region" (General_ Post_und Strassen Karte des Königsreichs GALIZIEN und des Krakauer Gebietes). The map of Galicia dates to 1848.

The plan shows the river Pełtew/Poltva as flowing free in part of today's Mitskevycha Square. Because the river was subsequently driven underground, we can approximately place the map as having been published no later than 1841.

The maps of Galicia included political and statistical information on the province, as well as small plans of Lviv. These were periodically printed at the Artaria & Co. publishing house, from the 1840s to the 1890s. The maps were approved fort printing by R. A. Schulz (gez: von R.A. Schulz), who, probably was the maps’ author.

Legend:

• The upper right corner holds the name, "Plan of Lemberg" (Plan von Lemberg).
• Statistical data is provided in the center and down: "Number of residents of Lemberg 54, 113 – Houses 2, 480" (Anzahl der Einwohner v. Lemberg 54113 - Hauser 2480).
• The measurement line is situated centrally under the statistical data "Scale: 1 Viennese inch = 400 klafters, or 1:28 800" (Maasstab 1 Wiener Zoll 400 Klafter oder 28, 800 der Natur)
• "Krakow Suburb" (Krakauer Vorstadt).

Characterization of the map:

• The plan was executed using lithographic techniques.
• The plan includes most of the city territory.
• District boundaries are not delineated.
• Main roads leading to the city center are highlighted.
• All names of objects on the plan are given in the German language.

Toponymics:

The map's toponymics includes 30 objects. All names are provided directly on the map, next to the respective objects.

• Administrative buildings: (4).
• Horonyms: (6).
• Cemeteries: (1).
• Gardens: (1).
• Sacred buildings: (1).
• Military buildings: (1).
• Educational buildings: (1)
• Miscellaneous: (1).
• Markets: (1).
• Unidentified: (4).
• Elevations: (2).
• Factory institutions (7). Mills (1), brick yards (6).

Publisher:

Artaria & Co. specialized in publishing and trade in three areas: art, music and cartography. The company was founded in Vienna in 1770, by the Italian-born Giovanni Artarias, together with his nephews Carlo and Francesco. In 1775, the company's premises were situated at 9, Kohlmarkt in Vienna [28] c. 30-31. In 1920 the Artaria map division became part of the Kartographische Anstalt G. Freytag & Berndt (Cartographical Company of G. Freytag & Berndt). In 1944 this was renamed "Freytag-Berndtu Artaria KG". The company still exists today

Characterization of the city:

The plan reflects the urban space of the late 1830s and early 1840s. Around this time, two earthquakes (1834 and 1838), and two dangerous fires (1833 and 1838) took place in the city [19], p. 11. The city's appearance underwent change, as the new building of the city hall was constructed (1835), the hills of the High Castle were planted with trees (1835), and a public park was built in Zofijówka (1839) [19], p. 10. The segment of the river Pełtew/Poltva in Mariacki Sq. was vaulted over in 1841. [18], p. 66.

As of 1839, city population was 57,260 persons. Population numbers broke the 60 thousand mark in the 1840s [19], p. 113. Population growth in the city in the 1830s and 1840s was around 1.5% .

The I-st ("Cracow") and II-nd ("Galician") quarters had the most dense construction at the time. Together, these two districts held 49.7 % of all the buidlings in the city. The gradual growth of the quantities of real estate in the city, which began in the early 1820s, was brought about by the need for new premises for government and administrative offices and military buildings. [20], p. 30-31.

Entry by: Serhii Tereshchenko
Translation by: Pavlo Hrytsak