The Dream of the City: Ideal Place, Squaring the Cycle

Abstract

Praising the beauty of Dubrovnik, Ivo Andric has underlined the truth that what is worth and what has survived through time is based on sacrifice. This paper begins with definitions of the title words (“dream” and “city”) from Andric’s short impression, postulating the methodological framework for analysis. The most famous models of ideal city-states through history are listed: from Plato’s “Republic” and “Sparte” from Plutarch, via Filarete’s “Sforcinda”, Tomas Mor’s “Utopia”, Campanella’s “City of the Sun” and Bakon’s “New Atlantis”, all to the “Garden cities” of Ebenezer Howard, “Arcosanti” in the Arizona desert of Paolo Solieri, and “In search for the Glass city” of Željko Malnar. The quest for an ideal place is reflected in the visions of Shambhala, Agartha, Thule, Hyperborea, Eldorado, finally, is reflected in the idea of Paradise. Leading to the ideal locations outward routes and inner ones intersect in the human soul. In order to square the circle and resolve the antic mystery in that “intersection space”, what is necessary is to sacrifice oneself, and to obey the laws. Our great Nobel winner knew that.