ANFANGE DER STADT- UND STADTNETZENTWICKLUNG IN UNGARN. Teil II

Abstract

Antecedents or the fast developing urhanization process, initiated by Hungarian kings laIe in the 13th century are guessed from the observation of over hundred existing or docu- mented settlements bearing the word VÁSÁR (market) in their names. Most of them have been denominated after one day of the week, often combined with "hely" (place), e.g. Szom- bathely ("szombat": saturday). No doubt, these were once places where weekly markets had heen held. Their extension depended on the access to the road network, and on the relief con- ditions. Names of settlements were found in the vicinity that referred to handicraft or com- merce. Thus. a relatively minor area grouped settlement units forming a kind of urban labour division, centered around the marketplace. In fact, they had little relevance already in the development of medieval market network but some Hungarian towns still hear names origi- nating thereform.