A Historical and Archival Guide to Székesfehérvár (Székesfehérvár, 2003)

A SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY OF SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR

the few towns, which was not rebuilt on Roman grounds, such as Óbuda, Szombathely, Sopron, and other Transdanubian towns. The new centre was formed a bit to the north of the natural road junction Gorsium, later the junction was moved to Székesfehérvár. The settlement that was established here served strategic and commercial purposes besides administrative and ecclesiastical functions. The first reference of the town is from 1007 (1009). Some German names remained from 1044 ( Vzzenburch, Vizenburg, Veyzmburg)

. The first Hungarian mentioning of the town's name (Feheruuaru) appeared in the Founding Deed of Tihany in 1055. The castle was built on the highest place of the historic centre; Géza Grand Duke's quatrefoil church was also built here, which afterwards became his burial place. (Later the Saint Peter-Paul church stood here, where the coronation of Béla IV took place). Stephen, Géza Grand Duke's successor commenced to build his private church in Székesfehérvár as family tradition. As early as this the town was known as the capital city. The construction of the first cathedral of the country began around 1018 following Stephen's coronation. It was consecrated after King Saint Stephen's death, in 1038. The huge, 76-meter long, 38-meter wide three-nave basilica is known from the description of Hartvik, Bishop of Győr. The basilica was rebuilt several times in the following centuries. Major constructions were carried out during King Kálmán and Charles Anjou's reign when the basilica was renovated, which had been destroyed by the fire of 1288, during the reign of László 'Kun'. During the reconstruction of 1318 the roof was covered with lead, reinforced by columns and ornamented by vaults. A few years later in 1327, on Palm Sunday the basilica burnt down again. It is known from the chronicle of Márk Kälti that during the renovation the huge building was covered with lead again. Charles Robert and Louis the Great's sepulchral chapels were made in the northern nave of the basilica in the age of Louis the Great. We know of smaller constructions in later periods, too. Pippo of Ozora renovated one of the basilica's towers, and gained a burial-place here at the same time. By this time it had become common to bury clerical and secular dignities here with special permission. The biggest construction was carried out during King Matthias's reign. The basilica was extended to the north in order to make place for the Hunyadi family's tomb. The