Abstract
In the second half of 20th Century there occurred a gradual but profound change in the view of history in the architectural world. The generation active in post war time (among others Mies van der Rohe) still mainly neglected history of architecture.
Starting with the next generation this attitude radically changed. Important proponents of these changes were to a large extent architects that were later associated with postmodern architecture.
All this is well known. Less known is however the role that was played by phenomenology in architecture as a theoretical ground of this change.
The paper tries to show, through an example of Norberg-Schulz's theories, the transformation of interest in history (of architecture) and a new understanding of continuity in architecture. What is generally seen as an achievement, i.e. newly established relation to historical architecture and to built environment, the re-established possibility of an inspiration in history, tradition, and continuity without being necessarily got caught in various historicisms etc., has nevertheless the other side.
This other side is preoccupation with history, obsession to maintain the status quo of all built environment, an increase of preservation, what can all be observed in large parts of western civilisation sphere. Thus the paper aims to explore the ambivalent legacy - in terms of relation to history - of some of the phenomenological theories in architecture.