Ruins – A Motive for Reflection And Inspiration Through Time

Abstract

The paper examines ruins as a twenty-first century phenomenon, drawing on the concepts of “ruinophilia” and Ruinenlust, which most effectively convey this enduring fascination. In recent theoretical discourse, ruins are understood not only as material remnants of past civilizations but also as powerful symbols of decay, transience, and the underlying contradictions of contemporary society. Nostalgia for the authentic remnants of the past and the materiality they embody has emerged as a defining phenomenon in the transition from the industrial to the digital age. In this context, ruins take on a multifaceted role, serving as complex symbols of decay, transformation, and transition, while reflecting deeper social, political, and cultural processes that shape our time. The motif of ruins, however, has been present in art, literature, and philosophy for centuries. Given their significance in Western tradition, this paper explores the historiographical aspects of this phenomenon, analyzing how ruins have been perceived across different epochs, from the Renaissance to the 20th century, when a break with historical continuity in architecture occurred. From a source of artistic inspiration in the 15th century, to their central role in the aesthetics of the picturesque, and finally, as spaces for critical reflection on modernity and existential questions in contemporary society, this study examines the aesthetic and symbolic significance of ruins over time.