Neo-renaissance architecture in Prague and Florence within the cultural and historical context of the 19th century

The recovery of the historicist styles was caused by the inconsistence of the period that took the past as something perfect and incomparable, but at the same time wanted to be distanced from it. Architecture helped the people to cross the chasm between the period before and after the industrial revolution. The fact that one had around him modern buildings, in technical sense, that cited the past, could give him a feeling that he lived in the past and present at the same time. This thesis would like to present the architecture in the cultural and historical context of the 19th century and show a least a little bit of its connections with the society, ideas, preferences and abilities to face up to changes, and as well as to find the moments that led to the comeback of the renaissance period. It tries to show both critical and adoring views on historicist architecture that was appreciated in recent time. The first part of the thesis presents the historical and cultural situation in both countries because this fact could help to understand the ideological origins of the neo-renaissance architecture. It shows the opinions of the specialists on the historicist architecture. The thesis is focused on Prague and Florence and tries to discover the reasons why the renaissance style was in these countries so admired..