The totalitarian regimes which characterised much of Europe during the central decades of the twentieth century had a major impact on the urban landscape.
These regimes founded and rebuilt cities often drawing on the most advanced architectural and urban design projects that existed at the time. While, today, democratic Europe firmly opposes these totalitarian regimes, their built heritage remains on our streets as an uncomfortable heritage.
Council of Europe values
Studying the architecture of Europe’s totalitarian regimes, both the fascist and the communist ones, is a way to enhance the European identity in its unity and diversity. The idea of Europe originated from the wounds of World War II and the fall of Fascism and Nazism. It entered a new phase after the downfall of Communism, opening the way to a broader and more comprehensive idea of a Europe based on fundamental values such as political liberty, freedom of expression and assembly, democracy and the rule of law.
ATRIUM – Architecture of Totalitarian Regimes of the 20th Century in Europe’s Urban Memory, is certified “Cultural Route of the Council of Europe” since 2014.