Die Funktion von Straßennamen in Barcelona im Rahmen der (Re-)Konstruktion der katalanischen nationalen Identität im 19. Jahrhundert

Abstract

During the nineteenth century, Catalan language and literature, which especially since the beginning of the eighteenth century had suffered a decadence, experienced a renaissance (Renaixença). During the Renaixença, Catalan authors and artists created a national mythology and imagery through literature, art, and historiography, consolidating the main characteristics of Catalan national identity. Also Street names contributed significantly to the (re-)construction of Catalan national identity bringing to mind eminent historical personalities, events, and institutions of Catalan national history. The article at hand presents in detail the historical and identity building narratives to which the street names of Barcelona refer to illustrate the politics of memory connected with the urban toponymy. Furthermore, the article demonstrates the functions of these street names within the context of the (re-)construction of Catalan national identity during the Renaixença-movement. The two-volume book Las Calles de Barcelona (1865-1866) written by the Catalan politician, historian, journalist, and writer Víctor Balaguer (1824-1901), in which the author explains the meanings of the street names of Barcelona, forms the basis of the following analysis.