The Sachertorte is a delicious chocolate cake, originally conceived by the young Franz Sacher back on 9 July 1832 in Vienna, Austria, for Prince Klemens von Metternich. This exquisite creation came to life during the Restoration period, when Franz Sacher, already a great chocolate enthusiast, was also an apprentice pastry chef under the Austrian chancellor.… Continue reading Mr Sacher’s successful cake
Becoming hugely popular during the Habsburg Empire, the delicious Knödel and Kloß date back to the 18th century. The influence of the Habsburg Empire played a crucial role in spreading the concept, making these dumplings a cherished part of cultural heritage in neighboring countries. In Poland, chefs prepare Kluski kartoflane, while the Czech Republic people… Continue reading Imperial dumplings
Pasquale Revoltella (1795-1869) was a baron, economist and entrepreneur; but more than anything, a perfect specimen of the Habsburg self-made man. The son of a butcher, he built his fortune bit by bit until he reached the pinnacle of his career as vice president of the Suez Canal Universal Company, which opened in 1869. We… Continue reading Suez’s dream. The incredible story of Baron Revoltella
On the eve of World War I, the Habsburg Empire was still an important political entity encompassing much of Central and Eastern Europe. From Italy to Ukraine, Poland to Bosnia-Herzegovina, thirteen contemporary states are then part of this multiethnic empire, where dozens of populations of different languages, religions and traditions coexist. Slow, bureaucratic and bent… Continue reading Habsburg Empire and California: different time, similar identities
In the days of classical Greece, the first of the nine muses of the arts was Clio (or Kleio), the muse of history. It is to her that Zagreb’s history festival, Kliofest, owes its name. Kliofest was conceived by Damir Agičić, professor of history at the University of Zagreb and founder, along with Magdalena Najbar-Agičić of… Continue reading 10 Years of Kliofest
The city-fortress of Palmanova is well known to us at Extinguished Countries and to our eager readers. But how many of you know that, some 300 km further east, there is another star-shaped city? A city that was attacked by the Ottoman Empire six times, and managed to repel it just as many times? We… Continue reading The Habsburg’s boat return
The story of Yugoslavia is a fascinating one, full of unique cultural and societal complexities. This now “extinguished” country was once an unparalleled example of coexistence, bringing together different cultures, religions, and languages to create a distinctive and rich blend of art, music, and movies. But although many academics and Yugoslavia enthusiasts are familiar with… Continue reading Yugo-journey: A Road Trip Across Former Yugoslavia
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