Vernacularism, Lesser Poland’s Heimat, and Auxiliary Sciences in the Study of Architecture for the Third Reich

Abstract

The article provides methodological suggestions for the study of architecture for the Third Reich in the General Government. However, it also offers an interpretation of the phenomenon. These suggestions brings together four different terms that are key for understanding the author’s investigations. These terms are: vernacularism, Lesser Poland’s Heimat, auxiliary sciences, and architecture for the Third Reich in relation to examples from Krakow and Lesser Poland. The article tackles the following issues: what does it mean that the Heimatstil and Heimatschutzstil, which happen to recur in the studies on the architecture of the Third Reich, are types of vernacular architecture? Did Lesser Poland’s Heimat ever exist? If so, were there attempts at creating and using indigenous regional architecture (the Heimatstil) in Nazi appropriation policy on the territory of conquered Lesser Poland?