Architecture and Power in Early Central Europe

Marta Graczynska is an Art Historian at Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow, Poland, researching the forms and meanings of early medieval architecture in Central Europe.

• IntroductionChapter 1: Displays of Power—Architecture as Sign and SymbolChapter 2: Choice of Architectural FormsChapter 3: The Code of Form and ShapeChapter 4: Composition of Spatial ArrangementsChapter 5: Appropriation and/or InfluenceChapter 6: Architecture as a Vehicle of MeaningsChapter 7: Form vs. FunctionChapter 8: Interpreting FunctionChapter 9: Reading ArchitectureConclusions

Graczyńska’s book is a valuable contribution to the study of medieval architecture in East Central Europe. Its comparative approach highlights the shared features of royal and ecclesiastical architecture in Bohemia, Poland, and Hungary, offering insights into the interplay between architectural forms and expressions of power. Nevertheless, the analysis would have been strengthened by a more nuanced consideration of regional differences, Roman and Byzantine influences, and the inclusion of Croatia as a case study. Despite these limitations, the monograph serves as an important resource for understanding the architectural heritage of this formative period in European history.