---
title: "Why stone is crumbling: Restorers explain the condition of Neptune and Adonis in Lviv's Rynok Square"
description: "In Lviv, restorers recorded a deepening crack on Neptune's hand and the detachment of Adonis's hand on the Rynok Square fountains. Full restoration is planned to start in 2027."
date: 2026-10-21T08:45:05.362Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/lviv-restoration-neptune-adonis-rynok-square
tags: [lviv, sculptures, restoration, market-square, neptune, adonis, cultural-heritage]
author: "Inna Kinsheva"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Why stone is crumbling: Restorers explain the condition of Neptune and Adonis in Lviv's Rynok Square

![Stone statue of the god Neptune with a trident against a cloudy sky in Lviv](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/21/lviv-restavratii-skulptur-neptun-adonis-ploshchad-rynok/lviv-restavratii-skulptur-neptun-adonis-ploshchad-rynok-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Damage to the Neptune and Adonis sculptures, including a deepening crack on Neptune's hand, has been recorded on the Rynok Square fountains in Lviv.
- Experts named the use of Portland cement during the 1982 restoration, as well as moisture and tram vibrations, as the main cause of destruction.
- The damage is not related to the protective structures installed after the start of the full-scale invasion.
- Full restoration is planned to begin in 2027; until then, the sculptures will be preserved and covered with protective structures.

Damage to two historic sculptures adorning the fountains in Rynok Square has been recorded in the center of Lviv. The inspection was carried out by representatives of the Cultural Heritage Protection Office of the Lviv City Council together with invited restorers Oleh Rybchynskyi, Andriy Pochekva, and Yuriy Kochmar. The previous check of these monuments' condition was conducted two years ago, making this new review crucial for assessing the dynamics of stone degradation.

### What experts recorded precisely

During the inspection, restorers documented the deepening of a crack on Neptune's hand holding the trident. According to their assessment, this damage creates a threat of further splitting of the stone fragment. Equally noticeable problems were found in the sculpture of Adonis: the hand holding the spear had detached from the figure even earlier. The damaged element along with the spear was dismantled and placed in storage until restoration begins. At the same time, specialists emphasized that overall they found no critical changes in the condition of the monuments compared to the previous inspection.

### The main cause: Mistakes of past restorations

According to the experts' conclusions, the primary cause of the damage is linked to previous restorations. Specifically, during the restoration of the sculptures in 1982, Portland cement was used, which negatively affects limestone—the material from which the figures are made. Doctor of Architecture, Professor at Lviv Polytechnic Oleh Rybchynskyi explained that the use of cement led to moisture accumulation in the stone: due to temperature fluctuations, water expanded and gradually destroyed its structure. Additional factors included the natural impact of moisture and vibration from trams running through Rynok Square.

### Protective structures have nothing to do with it

The restorers separately noted that the recorded damage is not related to the protective structures with which the sculptures were covered after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. Additionally, experts pointed out that Adonis's hand, his spear, and head are not original parts of the sculpture: these elements were lost earlier and later recreated during restorations.

### What's next: Winter preservation and restoration in 2027

Full-scale conservation and restoration work is planned to begin in 2027, as the current season is already coming to an end. For the near future, the main task has become the preservation of the sculptures during the winter and the preparation of a detailed restoration plan. After the inspection, Neptune and Adonis were covered again with protective structures. A separate restoration program is planned to be developed for each monument, prioritizing works and preparing estimates; the city will also consider attracting off-budget funding. Specialists from the Ivan Trush Lviv State College of Decorative and Applied Art are ready to join the project preparation.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Во Львове рушатся знаменитые скульптуры на площади Рынок](https://wave.rbc.ua/ukr/culture/lvovi-ruynuyutsya-znameniti-skulpturi-ploshchi-1792571084.html) - Primary source: Lviv City Council report via Wave RBC.UA on the results of the inspection of the Neptune and Adonis sculptures, causes of damage, and restoration plans for 2027.

## FAQ

### What damage was recorded on the sculptures?

Neptune has a deepening crack on the hand holding the trident, which threatens to split the stone fragment. In Adonis, the hand holding the spear detached from the figure; the element with the spear was dismantled and put into storage.

### What did restorers not find during the inspection?

Experts noted that overall, they found no critical changes in the condition of the monuments compared to the previous inspection two years ago.

### What is the main cause of stone destruction?

According to expert conclusions, the main cause is the use of Portland cement during the 1982 restoration, which negatively affects limestone. Additional factors were moisture and tram vibrations.

### Are the damages related to post-invasion protective structures?

No, restorers note that the damage is not related to the protective structures with which the sculptures were covered after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.

### When will full restoration begin?

Full-scale conservation and restoration work is planned to start in 2027 as the current season ends. Until then, the sculptures will be preserved through the winter and covered with protective structures.