The Power of Past Greatness - Harald Bodenschatz Christian von Oppen Steffen Ott Christiane Post Piero Sassi Max Welch Guerra Gebunden

The redevelopment of historical centres became an important policy field in the era of European dictatorships following the First World War. At that time historical centres were regarded as shabby and as tarnishing the desired image of a magnificent new city of a showcase of the dictatorship. This led to the widespread demolition of older buildings. Historical streets and squares disappeared and were replaced by new apartments and workplaces for the loyal middle classes by car-friendly roads and ostentatious new buildings. Nevertheless the redevelopment of historical centres did not exclusi vely mean the eradication of the 'old town'. The aim of the dictatorship in many cases was also the preservation and often the cultic display of historical testimonials to past greatness. The book presents examples of the redevelopment of historical centres in Mussolini's Italy (Rome Brescia Bologna Naples) in Stalin's Soviet Union (Moscow) in Hitler's Germany (Berlin) in Salazar's Portugal (Lisbon Évora Óbidos) and in Franco's Spain (Madrid Toledo Barcelona Zaragoza Santillana del Mar). These are followed by a brief summary of the history of the redevelopment of historical centres in Europe. This volume represents the very first attempt to identify the commonalities and differences in the redevelopment of historical centres in dictatorships in Europe in the first half of the 20th century.