Buildings

In the nineteenth century, the cities of Europe underwent a drastic process of modernization and enlargement; at the same time, streets and public spaces were increasingly infused with a national cult of identity and rootedness in a collective past. This is reflected, not only in street-naming policies and the fashion for putting up historical statues and monuments, but also in the planning and design of public buildings, which reflect a duality, typical of nationalism, of modernization and traditionalism.

The architecture of the new national museums, theatres, operas and civic/administrative centres has its counterpart in the increasing care with which old and new buildings were restored or given a historicizing design. Such designs were a matter of considerable public reflection and debate, and were often tried out ‘in vitro’ in the Europe-wide vogue for national or international exhibitions. From Bucharest to Brussels, the cities of Europe presented in their public space and aspect a national, metropolitan ambition. Some of this architectural design will be presented on the SPIN website.