5 - Renaissance and humanist tendencies in Slovakia

Summary

The arrival of the Renaissance across Central Europe must be examined in its wider context, including especially the economic, social, political and cultural conditions that were present in each country where its influence can be identified. The territory of present-day Slovakia, included in the multi-national Kingdom of Hungary, was a relatively developed region by 1500. Hungary flourished under the rule of Matthias Corvinus. His reign led to the general stabilisation of the country and to the creation of appropriate conditions for the development of academic life, culture, and art, all of which were key features of the Renaissance.

The Kingdom of Hungary's situation changed after the Battle of Mohács in 1526, when the Turkish victory and death of the young King Louis resulted in the effective dissolution of this medieval kingdom. Thereafter, Europe faced repeated Turkish raids. The struggle with the Turks, religious disturbances and anti-Habsburg uprisings formed the background to Hungarian history for the next 150 years.

When Slovakia became part of the Habsburg monarchy its territory formed a substantial part of Habsburg Hungary; the southernmost parts of Slovakia belonged to four sanjaks, which represented the administration of the Ottoman Empire in the region. After the occupation of central Hungary by the Turks, the central offices of state, including the Hungarian Royal Chamber, were moved from Buda to Bratislava, which also served as the coronation town of the kings of Hungary from 1563 to 1830.