Dr. Łukasz Galusek’s book explores 19th-century Central Europe, where nations deprived of their own states created their “imagined capitals.” Budapest, Bratislava, Ljubljana, Prague, and Zagreb were not yet capital cities, but even then they were becoming spaces where modern national identity was taking shape.

This is a story of ambitions, aspirations, and symbols — of how architecture, urban planning, culture and historical memory built a sense of community. In the multinational Habsburg Empire, cities became the “hearts” of nations even before they could become official capitals.

The author demonstrates that the status of a capital is not merely a matter of politics, but above all of imagination and culture. Imagined Capitals offers a fascinating look at the moment when cities begin to “speak” on behalf of nations—and prepare for the role they would play after 1918.

“Wyobrażone stolice. Miasta monarchii habsburskiej jako centra narodów 1815 — 1918” is a book for anyone who wants to understand how nations are formed—and how crucial cities are to that process.

The book is available to buy at the ICC bookshop.

The book “Wyobrażone stolice. Miasta monarchii habsburskiej jako centra narodów 1815 — 1918” is the twenty-fourth volume in the Library of Central Europe series, edited by Prof. Jacek Purchla.