People, encounters, places… the best from the Extinguished Countries.
Belgrade isn’t exactly the first city that comes to mind when thinking about the Ottoman legacy in the Balkans. The preserved remnants at Kalemegdan Fortress and the Bajrakli Mosque are mentioned in every guidebook worth its salt, but one might not expect to end up having lunch in a hammam dating from the first half… Continue reading An Unexpected Hammam In Downtown Belgrade
Our recent article, “The Ottoman Empire: A European History,” sparked a lively online debate, drawing criticism from those who view Ottoman history as something “far removed” from Europe. We selected six myths encountered in the comments or circulating online in discussions of the Ottoman Empire, and asked cultural anthropologist Jeremy F. Walton—who coordinates the ERC… Continue reading Six Myths About the Ottoman Empire
In Štivor, in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, a community of Italians from Trentino settled in the late 19th century. They speak a unique dialect, Stivoroto, which a group of linguists has decided to study as a way to also recount the history and traditions of this small community. We interviewed Rossella Montibeler and Marija Runić… Continue reading The history of Italians living in Bosnia and Herzegovina since the late 19th century
“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
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
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 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 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
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
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?
