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Category: Stories

People, encounters, places… the best from the Extinguished Countries.

Bečka škola – the Croatian comedy series that flirts with nostalgia for Austria-Hungary

Bečka škola © Bečka škola

“Bečka škola” is a Croatian expression that literally means “Vienna school” and refers to a well-educated, refined person—someone who, in a sense, has been schooled in Vienna. For the past few weeks, however, “Bečka škola” has also been the title of a comedy series, currently available only on social media, which has been enjoying remarkable… Continue reading Bečka škola – the Croatian comedy series that flirts with nostalgia for Austria-Hungary

Yogurt, Coffee, and Phyllo Dough – an Introduction to Ottoman Gastronomy

Traditional Turkish Coffee, Ankara, Turkey, 2019. Photo credit: Febe Armanios

Food is an important part of our understanding of the Ottoman Empire, and much of what the former Ottoman territories retained from this period is found on the dinner table.  But what is Ottoman cuisine, and what exactly are its legacies today? We spoke with Dr. Febe Armanios, the Philip Battell and Sarah Frances Cowles Stewart… Continue reading Yogurt, Coffee, and Phyllo Dough – an Introduction to Ottoman Gastronomy

The Ottoman Empire, a European History

Stari Most, Mostar – Ramirez, CC BY-SA 4.0

After the Republic of Venice and the Habsburg Empire, the third guide in Extinguished Countries will be dedicated to the Ottoman Empire, which received the highest number of votes in the poll among our readers. The Ottoman period, in several European countries, is often viewed very negatively, as a long occupation during which nothing good… Continue reading The Ottoman Empire, a European History

Vienna’s lesser-known imperial past

Flea market - Naschmarkt, Vienna – By Sandor Somkuti (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Between 1869 and 1910, the population of Vienna grew from 630,000 to over 2 million. The Austrian capital was then the centre of a vast multi-ethnic empire that now encompasses 13 European states. As such, the city is home to the palaces of power, the famous Hofburg complex (now the residence of the Austrian President)… Continue reading Vienna’s lesser-known imperial past

Hungary’s view of the Habsburg Empire

Hungary has a peculiar relationship with the Habsburg Empire. It seems to distance itself from it, as if it had not really been a part of it. Differences made, this relationship is sometimes reminiscent of the difficult one that exists today between Hungary and the European Union. We asked Gabor Egry, a historian and director-general… Continue reading Hungary’s view of the Habsburg Empire

Artur Grottger: between art, political engagement and love story

Artur Grottger was one of the most prominent Polish Romantic painters. He was born in 1837 in Ottyniowice in Eastern Galicia (now Otynevychi, Ukraine), and despite his very short life (he died at 30 years old in 1867), he became one of the most prominent Polish artists of the 19th century. He lived during the… Continue reading Artur Grottger: between art, political engagement and love story

Liechtenstein and the Habsburg Empire

Gutenberg Castle in Balzers By Adrian Michael - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Nestled between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein had a special relationship with the Habsburg Empire. It was not part of it, but its rulers lived in Vienna from 1719 until 1938. In the 19th century the principality adopted many Austrian laws, introduced the Austro-Hungarian Gulden as its official currency and signed a customs treaty with the… Continue reading Liechtenstein and the Habsburg Empire

A special relationship between Austria and the Western Balkans?

Di Peter Burgstaller/ Diplomatische Akademie Wien - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 3.0

For centuries Slovenia, parts of Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro were part of the Habsburg Empire. Bosnia and Herzegovina was administered by Vienna for several decades between the end of the 19th century and World War I. What remains of these historical ties in Austrian foreign policy today? We discussed this with Florian Bieber, director of… Continue reading A special relationship between Austria and the Western Balkans?

The Swiss roots of the Habsburg family

Habsburg Castle Aargau By Freaktalius - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

The history of the Habsburgs has its roots not in Austria, as one might think, but in neighbouring Switzerland. It is here in fact – and more precisely in the canton of Aargau – that the castle built in the 11th century by Radbod of Habsburg, who is considered the founder of the lineage, is… Continue reading The Swiss roots of the Habsburg family

The Habsburg origins of the kerosene lamp

Kerosene_lamp_1930

Kerosene, or paraffin, is a combustible liquid derived from petroleum. Its discovery is generally attributed to Canadian geologist Abraham Gesner who distilled kerosene from bituminous coal and oil shale in 1846. To obtain kerosene distilled from oil, however, one has to wait a few years and travel to the other side of the world: to… Continue reading The Habsburg origins of the kerosene lamp