Branding a Province: The Restorationist Dalmatia
Branding a Province: The Restorationist Dalmatia

Summary/Abstract: The Habsburg presence in the Eastern Adriatic imposed a new geopolitical paradigm, the one opposed to the previous Venetian and French imperial models. Vienna court made effort to make distinct Dalmatian identity and enable as efficient control from Vienna as possible in order to prevent unionistic wishes of Pest or Zagreb. Roman heritage, with Diocletian’s Palace as one of the most significant monuments, was important basis for creation of identity of Dalmatia. The visit of imperial couple, Franz and Carolina, was marked by admiration of classic heritage of Dalmatia. Vienna created a myth that connected the emperor with things Roman and Christian in a new branding of the province that was based upon two important pillars: Christianity in the Roman times and classicism that achieved modern fulfillment through important state architectural undertakings during 19th century. The “creation” of Dalmatia involved most famous Dalmatian saints, whose Dalmatian character and specificity were specially highlighted. The period after Vienna congress was very important for Dalmatia for Vienna policy towards it did not change significantly until the end of the Empire.

• Details
• Contents