Page 45 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

THE HIST OR Y OF HUNGAR Y  43

Renaissance Hungary
Manuscripts from The full bloom of the Renaissance
Mátyás’s library are on period took place in Hungary in the
display at the Széchényi late 15th and early 16th centuries,
Library (see p60). Mátyás set having reached the country via a
up the first national library, procession of Italian master craftsmen
Bibliotheca Corviniana, and and masons brought by Mátyás’s
sanctioned the first second wife, Queen Beatrice. The
printing press in the Turkish occupation, which changed
country. The earliest book the course of Hungarian art and
published in Hungary history, destroyed much evidence
(written in Latin) was the of Renaissance splendour, but
Chronica Hungarorum, Sárospatak Castle (see pp232–3)
printed in Buda in 1473. is a fine example of the style.
Foot soldiers in
Mátyás’s army would
have carried shields
like this one. It bears
part of an early
coat of arms of the
Hunyadi family, and
is exhibited at the
Hungarian National
Museum (see pp102–3).

The globe, depicted alongside
mathematical instruments,
books and a telescope, reinforces The fabulous architectural detail of
the idea of Mátyás as a humanist,
scientist and man of the arts. Mátyás Church in Budapest

Representing a
man and woman,
these wine cups
date from the 16th
century and are
designed to fit
together to form
one covered Győr Cathedral (see p178) was
receptacle. The destroyed by the Mongols in the
cups would have 13th century, and Mátyás viewed its
been used in reconstruction as one of his most
elaborate wedding sacred and important duties.
celebrations during
Mátyás was a generous
king, known for his equity the Renaissance.
and his admiration for the
Italian Renaissance.

Carved by an unknown
sculptor in 1526, this
Virgin and Child marks Siklós Castle was first constructed in
the zenith of Hungarian the late medieval period (about 1190)
Renaissance art. Today it but is best known for its Renaissance-
forms part of the Andras era modifications. It hosts a summer
Bathory collection at Renaissance Arts Festival.
the Hungarian National
Museum (see pp102–3).

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