From the palatial to the modern: industry and luxury in Habsburg Europe

book chapter

English

In the environment of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, the Jewish population could not participate in social life for a long time. Some families managed to make their way into the upper classes before the middle of the 19th century; the constitution of 1867 was indeed a fundamental change in the levelling of conditions between Christians and Jews. The goal of the richest families was nobility. In addition, the ownership of lavish mansions, collecting and charitable activities has also increased social prestige. The status of owner in the architecture manifested itself in different ways at different times. Holders of aristocratic titles were expected to own a town palace and a network of rural settlements, where their antiquity was appreciated as well as contemporary technical equipment. However, with the end of the monarchy after the First World War, aristocratic titles in Czechoslovakia were banned by law. Not only the nobility itself lost importance, but also the relationship to the land and the properties that were attached to it. The rebirth of social values took place gradually, and so in the construction of modernist city villas of influential industrialists, many elements known from aristocratic residences appear.

Chateau Schillersdorf, Chateau Tobitschau, Villa Stiassni, Villa Tugendhat, architecture, heritage

SVOBODA, P.

7. 11. 2024

Profile Books Ltd

London

9781800810358

Jewish Country Houses

1

270

297

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https://jch.history.ox.ac.uk/jewish-country-houses