Localness, Identity, and the Historic City. New Elites in the Autonomous Galician Lviv

Research on Lviv's urban elites during Habsburg rule reveals that local identity was as significant as imperial and national identities, challenging traditional historical narratives. The study examines the role of grassroots associations like the Society of the Friends of Old Lviv and the Society for the Embellishment of the City in preserving secular monuments, particularly in the Old Town. By analyzing these institutions' efforts to maintain the city's physical space, the research demonstrates that localness is a critical category for understanding elite identity. The findings highlight how urban preservation efforts were deeply tied to a sense of place and community pride, offering new insights into the complexities of cultural identity in historic cities.

Łupienko, A. (2020). Localness, Identity, and the Historic City. New Elites in the Autonomous Galician Lviv. Acta Poloniae Historica, 121, 5–26. https://doi.org/10.12775/aph.2020.121.01